Monsoon stereo won't turn on in 2003 Golf

Shonner · 07-22-2004, 09:25 PM

Does it use a fuse? If so, which one? The red light still blinks on the stereo though. But the power button does nothing and there is no display shown.

boschmann · 07-24-2004, 08:09 PM

That's the classic symptoms of a dead unit. I've seen a few & supposedly there is no way to fix the malfunction.

Shonner · 07-25-2004, 07:55 PM

I have a CD and Tape in the Monsoon still. Anyway to get them out?

boschmann · 07-26-2004, 08:28 PM

Not easily, take the unit apart when you replace it.

dag65 · 07-29-2004, 03:14 PM

Are you sure that your battery didn't go down and you just need to reset the unit with your security code?

Shonner · 07-30-2004, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dag65

Are you sure that your battery didn't go down and you just need to reset the unit with your security code?

The battery is fine. The car starts fine as always. The Monsoon's red light (anti-theft light?) still blinks whether the car engine is on or off. The Monsoon's power button does nothing. Eject buttons do nothing. There is no display on the unit (no SAFE displayed). The cool red lights in the Monsoon's knobs/controls do not light up.

Shonner · 09-14-2004, 09:48 PM

I took my Golf to a Volkswagen Dealer and they replaced the stereo with a new one and gave me a new security number for it. They were able to get the tape and CD out of the old unit that had failed. None of my fuses were bad. No electrical problems were found. The original stereo just died after 1.5 years.

A friend of mine has had a stereo (I don't know the brand) for 13 years that she pulls the face off of every time she gets out of her car (some old Nissan) and snaps it back on every time she gets back in. It has never broke for her. And she's rough on the thing.

yertem · 09-18-2004, 01:19 PM

Hold on here! This is an easy fix and a fairly common problem with the monsoon sound system. You'll need to open the fuse box and pull out the fuse for the stereo. It should be fuse #42. It's either a blue 15 or clear 25 amp - I can't remember. Anyway, pull the fuse out for about 10 seconds and re-insert it (make sure the fuse isn't blown first). Then start up your car. The stereo will work fine.

I think removing the fuse cuts all power to the stereo and triggers the reset, but that's really just a guess. All I know is that 9 times out of 10 this is why a monsoon stereo won't turn on.

bleedvw · 10-08-2004, 09:26 PM

the problem is a software issue with the radio. if you have the radio replaced at a dealer the new one should have a blue sticker on the top indicating that it is equiped with the new software that does not have this concern. pulling the fuse for the radio with the old software will allow you to use the radio again but is not a fix but it sounds like you have it taken care of now.

Shonner · 10-09-2004, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleedvw

the problem is a software issue with the radio. if you have the radio replaced at a dealer the new one should have a blue sticker on the top indicating that it is equiped with the new software that does not have this concern. pulling the fuse for the radio with the old software will allow you to use the radio again but is not a fix but it sounds like you have it taken care of now.

The Volkswagen dealer told me that the old stereo worked fine when they plugged it back in. But they replaced it with a new one anyway that doesn't have that problem (free of charge).

bleedvw · 10-13-2004, 10:36 PM

The Old Radio Worked When It Was Plugged Back In Due To The Same Software Concern, Thats Why If You Pull The Radio Fuse For Ten Seconds Then Put It Back In The Radio Will Work Fine For Awhile

Shonner · 10-13-2004, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleedvw

The Old Radio Worked When It Was Plugged Back In Due To The Same Software Concern, Thats Why If You Pull The Radio Fuse For Ten Seconds Then Put It Back In The Radio Will Work Fine For Awhile

And That's Why They Gave Me A New Radio So I Don't Have to Mess With Any Fuses To Use It. Free Of Charge, By The Way.

ybayram · 06-14-2005, 10:06 PM

I exactly had the same problem. I made an appointment with the dealer and the day luckily the day before my appointment I checked this forum and tried what "yertem" proposed. It worked perfectly fine... Now it is working and it probably saved me between $50-$80 according to the dealer service... These guys are ripping us off

ccwasabi · 01-23-2011, 09:13 PM

Had the exact same problem (monsoon radio, flashing led, no power display and no buttons work).

Taking the fuses #37 and #42 for 2 minutes did the trick. Only works for a few hours though - it's a know issue (search for the technical service bulletin number) and now installing a new radio

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