Ford 4000 RDS Radio Code Guide

The Ford 4000 RDS is the cassette-era predecessor of the well-known 6000 CD. It was fitted to the Focus Mk1, Fiesta Mk5, Puma, Cougar and Transit around 1998–2005. After a power interruption the display shows CODE and the unit stays silent until the right 4-digit keycode is entered.

Recognising the 4000 RDS

Single-DIN cassette unit, "4000 RDS" printed top-left of the fascia, green display and six preset buttons. Its bigger siblings 4500 and 5000 RDS (with CD or extended display) use the same code system — if you have one of those, our 4500 RDS guide covers the differences.

Finding the serial number

Some 4000 RDS units can display their own serial:

1. Switch the radio on so CODE is shown.
2. Press and hold presets 2 and 6 together for a few seconds.
3. If supported, the display shows an M-serial (e.g. M123456) — note it exactly.

No serial on the display? Then pull the unit with four radio release keys and read the label: the serial starts with M followed by six digits. With that number, request your Ford radio code — delivery is by e-mail within minutes.

Entering the code

1. Display shows CODE.
2. Press preset 1 repeatedly for the first digit, preset 2 for the second, presets 3 and 4 for the remaining digits.
3. Press and hold preset 5 to confirm. The radio unlocks immediately.

Frequently asked questions

What does "LOCKED 13" mean on my display?

Thirteen wrong codes have been entered over the unit's lifetime and the radio has hard-locked. It no longer accepts input via the buttons; a bench reset by a radio specialist is then the only option. Before that stage the unit shows a WAIT timer — always let it run out rather than guessing again.

Is the code different from my 6000 CD code?

Each unit has its own code tied to its own serial. If you swap in a different radio, you need the code belonging to that unit's M- or V-serial — not the code of the old one.

My serial starts with V, not M. Is that a problem?

No. Later units use V-serials; the calculation differs but both are fully supported. Enter the serial exactly as printed, including the letter.