Hope some kind person can help:following replacement battery the radio has gone into 'safe' mode,and although I've tried following the instructions in the manual,nothing happens when I press the 'exp' button. I have the code but can't input it!

dont know your stereo,but dont you have to hold the button in?
P.S welcome to the forum

Look on here
http://www.fiatboo.co.uk/
go to audio => radio hints and tips

thanks for replying - but the display does not change from 'safe' after 3 secs (or 3 hours! come to that) do you think thumping it would help?

you never know unless you try!

Strange one.
May be worth disconnecting the battery again.
Not sure about the 182 radios but my 185 has an attempt timer that locks the radio out after several unsuccessful attempts to input the code, this can be for up to 24 hours.

Thanks for the suggestions - when I switched on again today it worked!! must have been locked for the full 24 hrs - aah music again!