Hi there, recently purchased a late 2003 Fiat Punto 1.3 multi jet with the fatter head lights. Aftermarket stereo was draining the battery. Purchased the above used. Plugged in and came on and then said the word CODE. There is no code on the stereo so I guessed 1234. It then said WAIT on the LCD screen but this never changes. I unplugged the stereo wiring harness, plugged back in but it still just says WAIT. I put a CD in which it accepted but would not eject. Does anyone know how I can bypass the anti theft protection, are there default codes available ? Does anyone know how I can get it back to requesting the code as I unplugged harness twice, plugged back in and it still just displays the word WAIT but that never changes.

When the car is originally supplied it should include a card with the radio code on it. Each radio is then coded in and the car body computer accepts it.
When a radio is moved to another car, both radio and car will reject each other unless the correct code is entered.
The replacement radio should ideally have been supplied with its code. But as it has not, all is not lost.
See here: https://www.fiatforum.com/i-c-e/85204-one-only-code-fiat-radio-thread-3.html
Follow it through, it is getting longer almost weekly, and follow the instructions. I think now a PM to someone is best, could be Davren
Might need to subscribe to the forum to get the service, but still a small price to pay.

Meanwhile, don't mess any more with the replacement unit. Each failed attempt brings a longer wait before it is ready to accept another code, and I think the unit needs to be powered up while waiting.

Same for any Head unit with a coding system. You would need A. need to find the code or send the unit away for decoding. B. Contact the seller in hope they had the OG code.

As for the aftermarket head unit... It's draining due to a wiring issue as apposed to the stereo its self. Back when I had a punto I swapped the yellow and the read around as Fiats seem to have a permanent live feed.