Joel, & All,
Well, I'll be darn !!! After about 4 solid hours of searching,
I found the Radio manual.
( Even had the 'Radio Card'  with #'s in it !!!
Instructions say "Don't leave this card inside the car"
But, I figure any cassette player has got to be worth about 59 cents !!!
So, do yourself a favor & write the code on the radio top with a marking pen
!!!
I wasn't worth the time & grief !!! :)
BTW; Yes, the number can be changed, even accidentally!
Thanks to everyone!!! :)
JC....

In a message dated 6/2/2004 11:20:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
jwalker17@earthlink.net writes:
> After disconnecting the battery,
> My Radio/casset player is in the "safe mode"
> How do I rester it?
> I cant get Art Bell !!! ;(

try 1111 ... that's the factory reset code on most vanagon radios.

... unless you or the dreaded previous owner changed it. :(
in which case, you can get the serial number off the radio and check
with the local dealer (if they are worth a flip) and their parts
department can find the manufacturers reset code for you. there used
to be a guy on the list that would do it via email, but i think he's
not on anymore. you might try calling ernie or larry at camelback vw
800-876-5199 and see if they will do it, but you need the model number
and serial number. might need the vin of the bus, too.

good luck!
joel