The 2002 Honda Civic came with a theft-deterrent radio for EX models, according to the 2002 Honda Civic Owner's Manual. The system requires a code for restart once it has been disconnected from the battery, even if the battery has gone dead. If the radio reads "CODE" on its display, you must enter a five-digit code to reset it.
Locate your radio code. Find it in the owner's manual on a card that lists your radio serial number along with the code--this card was provided at the time of original purchase. If you cannot find the code, call a Honda dealer to obtain the code for free. Explain your problem and let the dealer know that you have a 2002 Honda Civic EX.
Turn your vehicle into the "on" or "accessory" position. Once the radio says "CODE", you can enter the code.
Use the preset buttons to enter the five-digit security code. The preset buttons are labeled one to six-- press the numbers in the correct sequence. Once the correct code is entered, the radio will play normally.
