Vintage Motorola Guide: hidden codes and real problems

Historical Motorola phones continue to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. The most common problems are locked phone, forgotten code, black screen, flat battery, SIM not recognised or continuous restarting.

This guide collects procedures, codes and solutions for the most sought-after Motorola models.

The most used Motorola codes

• *#06# — Show IMEI
• *#300# — Software information
• *#301# — Keyboard test
• *#302# — Audio test
• *#307# — Engineering mode
• 000000 — Factory security code
• 1234 — Common lock code
• 19980722 — Master unlock used on old StarTAC

On various historical Motorola GSM models, the codes 1234 and 000000 were the default codes.

Motorola StarTAC locked or forgotten code

The Motorola StarTAC is one of the most sought-after phones. In many cases there is a forgotten security code.

Procedure:

• Menu
• Lock Secure
• Secure Options
• Master Reset

The factory Secure code on many models was 000000.

Available models:

• Motorola StarTAC 130
• Motorola StarTAC Dual Band
• Motorola StarTAC Original
• Motorola StarTAC 85

Motorola RAZR V3 black screen or locked phone

On the RAZR V3 the most frequent problems are restarts, keyboard going haywire or black screen.

• Try Master Reset
• Remove battery for a few minutes
• Check flat cable
• Check MiniUSB and charging

The reset from the menu was available in: Settings → Initial Setup → Master Reset

Products:

• Motorola RAZR V3
• Motorola RAZR V3 Pink
• Motorola RAZR V3X

Motorola V50, V51 and V3688

Frequent problems:

• No network
• SIM not recognised
• Phone stuck on logo
• Battery drains quickly
• Motorola V50
• Motorola V51
• Motorola V3688

Motorola MicroTAC common problems

• Screen without contrast
• Battery depleted
• Memory erased
• Phone locked
• Motorola MicroTAC
• Motorola MicroTAC Pro
• Motorola MicroTAC Gold

Other vintage Motorola

See Motorola collection

This guide is updated with new Motorola codes, procedures and historical models.