Many thanks for your replies, but I guess I surrender to the vw dealer.  I did
the coat hanger trick to remove the radio, saw the Heidleburg VI label & got
all the numbers & codes (barcode??) I could find.  I just wonder how many
thieves the "secret code" stops...  BTW, the faceplate was firmly attached, so
I didn't think I should check for a loose ribbon.  I STILL bet it's something
simple to unfreeze that frozen SAFe.

Pat & the '90 Tugboat