Mitsubishi Repair: Radio, hvac controls, mitsubishi dealership

Question
I have a 1997 Eclipse which sat for 3 months without starting. It still had the origional battery untill now. I replace the batteryand now the radio is asking for a code number so the radio will play. The dealer said they would put in the code for fifty bucks. Is there a way I can retreive the code from somewhere without going to the dealer? What is the sequence for putting the code into the radio? Thanks Bill

Answer
Bill,
The dealership will charge you for the labor for entering the code, but the code itself is free.  Your code should have come on a card, and is usually kept with your owners manual.  If you do not have the card with your radio code, call up your local Mitsubishi dealership service department and ask for it.  Most of the time, they will ask you for the radio serial number (s/n) and your VIN number.  Here's the procedure:

1. Pop off plastic cover around radio head unit and HVAC controls.
2. You can see the serial number on top of the radio now.
3. Call the dealership and read the serial number and they will give you the code.  Have your VIN ready as well in case they ask for it.
4. Once you have the code, put key in and turn key to ACC
5. Press power now radio should say CODE
6. Buttons 1, 2, 3, 4 are only to be used. Push them until you get the number you need, then push the CD, or AM/FM button, and it should work.

If you screwed up 3 or more times, your radio will read OFF.  You have to keep the car in the ON postion for at least 15 minutes to reset the battery.

If your dealer is not cooperating with you, call another dealership.  Some may give you a hard time because they want to charge for entering that code, even though it only takes like 5 minutes or less.  Some dealerships will ask you to bring in the car with proof of ownership (your registration) so they can prove it wasn't stolen.  But eventually you'll find a dealership that will give you the code over the phone.  Even if you have to call a dealership in a different state, you will find one that will cooperate and give you the code over the phone.
Good luck!