I have purchased a used OEM 2007 radio to replace my 2008 OEM GTC radio.

My questions are:

1. Is there a security lock code that is needed in order for the replacement radio to work?

2. If so, is this lock code printed somewhere on the back of the replacement radio? If not, where do I get a code?

3. Finally, Is there any reason why the replacement radio will not work since it is a prior model year.

Thank you in advance

 

Hello @08GTC ,
Did you bench test the Infotainment head unit first before installing, did or does it power up at all, if not, did you check the 10 amp fuse on the rear of the head unit itself.
There is no security code on these units, I have tested units from 2004 to 2010 in my GT rebuild, I have a 2010 NAIM for Bentley unit installed, no code ever needed.


Johnny

 

I have not installed the replacement radio yet. I’m just trying to figure out what I’m going to have to deal with when I do install it.

The existing radio is functional. Only the screen and some of the buttons are scratched up. I do not want to lose functionality until I am ready to install the replacement radio. The seller assured me that it was a working radio when he removed it and I have no reason to believe it does not power up.

so, is there in fact a code that needs to be entered when I install the replacement radio? If so where do I find it? If not then my problem is solved and I can proceed with installing the replacement radio.

however, I don’t want to replace it if the control unit model doesn’t match mine. I read somewhere on this forum that the last letter in that code determines whether or not the radio will work. If that last letter does not match my existing unit, then I see no need to pull out the existing radio. I just need to go buy one who is last letter does match. That assumes that the information I read about compatibility is accurate .

 

As I said, there is no code...

Post pictures of the unit your purchase, post the exact part number of the unit, post either to part number or the scan showing the part number of the unit installed in your 2008, post pictures of both units showing the front for all buttons, meaning, that both have the same buttons, such as satellite radio, vs. scn button, besides the part number for each, post the software number for each, tell us if your 2008 has DVD navigation disc drive or CD drive, meaning, does the nav drive use one DVD, or multiple CD's for various parts of the country, as an earlier unit with older software will not work with the newer software of the DVD disc drive, I also have videos testing this scenario.

Please don't make this harder than it has to be... 😉

Johnny

 

Apologies. My brain didn’t recognize your “no code“ comment. I had to read it again…slowly…

And you’re right! Sometimes I have the tendency to look for a solution in search of a problem….😁😁😁

One last thing. The tuning **** on the replacement unit broke off during shipping. I’m going to cannibalize the old **** from the old unit. Is it as easy as just pulling the **** off or is there some trick? I don’t want to break it as well.

 

Well looks like I screwed up. The replacement radio from a 2007 does not have the same buttons as my 2008. My 2008 did have navigation but, although I had a CD player (which I removed to add a Grom Bluetooth module) I do not know if that was also a DVD player. I have no DVDs for navigation. I could get navigation without inserting any DVDs. Regardless, I don’t have any of the serial numbers or software information on my 2008 because I have not removed it yet. I will have to tackle that project when I return from vacation. Thank you

 

Hello @08GTC ,
Well...
The 2007 unit you have purchased as pictured, is not even a North America US model, it is for the rest of the world (ROW), hence the AUDIO/TV, TP, TV, TRAFFIC, and H/BOOK buttons, so I have to ask, where did you purchase this head unit from ?

As to the CD vs. DVD navigation disc drive, I believe that you are confusing the two, yes, the vehicle had a 6 disc CD changer for music, you replaced said CD changer with the Grom BT module, but, the other disc drive in the glovebox is for the navigation system, and it is either a CD or DVD format disc drive, the DVD version of navigation uses one DVD disc, whereas the CD version uses 12 CD'S or so to cover US and Canada.
Some say that the DVD system came in 2007, but others in the past have stated that their 2008 has the CD system, because of the chance of having either, you need to have a head unit with the correct sw version, if you have the Ross-Tech VCDS, you can scan the head unit (address 07) to get the HW and SW information without ever pulling the head unit.

You can see the NAV DVD drive in my videos where I tested a 2005 head unit with a 2010 DVD navigation drive.

Eject your NAV disc and tell us if it says CD ROM, or DVD ROM on it.

ln my videos I show the 2010 head unit and DVD NAV drive I installed in my 2005 GT rebuild with the 2006 complete wiring harness, I mention this because the dealerships have told many that this swap of the newer head units and DVD navigation drive was impossible to do without spending "10 to 15K on a replacement wiring harness for the DVD NAV system", this turned out to be completely bull, as there is no separate special harness just for the head unit or NAV drive, the wiring harness in the vehicle is one piece, front to back, I simply installed a matching head unit and DVD NAV drive from a 2010 into my 2005 GT without issue, all works as it should, no special wiring of any kind, plug and play.

I have this button if you want it (free), I also have a new and or used screen available.





Parts one and two.





Johnny

 

Johnny,

I purchased the radio from a member of the FBook Bentley DIY group. Seller was in the UK.

I didn’t get a DVD or CD disc for the NAV system when I bought it.

I would very much like to have that button. I’ll DM you. Please check

 

@08GTC ,
You say that your navigation works, so, please eject the disc from the navigation disc drive and post a picture of said disc, showing the information on the front, because, if your navigation works as you said it does, you have a disc, it is in the disc drive, which format the system is, is the question.



CD ROM disc.
.





DVD ROM disc.




Johnny

 

So, There was nothing in the disc drive. I went in my box of Bentley parts and found a case with discs in it. It is labeled CD ROM. Since I use Google maps, I had forgotten all about the discs.

Regardless, I just need to get the correct unit. for my car. I will be putting the ROW unit up for sale unless you would like to take my TWO units in exchange for One unit that works in my car and is in good shape.

 

Hello @08GTC ,
Sorry, but this is getting confusing, you have a 2008, you said "My 2008 did have navigation" and "I could get navigation without inserting any DVDs.", which didn't make any sense, as you can not get navigation without a disc in the drive, you found the CD'S for the navigation system, good, BUT, now you are saying "Since I use Google maps, I had forgotten all about the discs.", so I ask, you are using Google maps where, on your cellphone, as the Infotainment head unit does not have Google maps at all, unless your head unit has had some aftermarket overlay system installed on it, such as CarPlay or the like.

As far as trading the unit, if all you need is the screen and the button, we can discuss that in pm, I can either send both to you for you to install, if you are not comfortable with doing the screen swap, you can ship the unit to me to do the swap, but we have to discuss that outside of this thread.

Johnny

 

Sorry for the confusion. 1) I do not use the Bentley navigation system at all. I prefer Google maps on my phone. 2) on the Bentley, with no disc inserted, I can still get the BentleyNAV screen to show my current position. Not sure if I can enter and navigate to a route but, I don't care because I don't use it. I use my phone. 3) I have already reached out to you via direct message.