Radio Replacement

[miro1118]

I want to replace my radio with after market. A few questions:

1) I do not have premium audio, however I can see wires going from the rear speakers to the area where the tweeters are. If I want to replace the speakers. Do I keep those wires connected? Is there a cross over somewhere? Or should I just leave those wires out and use the tweeters in the aftermarkets? Any other wiring suggestions?

2) Any advise on how to replace the head unit. Can I use something else if I do not have radio removal tool? Should I use a wireing harness. Is there a special antenna adapter.

3) What's the deal with the radio and the engine computer. Is there a wire that needs to be jumped out in the harness or something. I thought I remembered reading about something like that?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[pmartino]

(97 Jetta)
I didn't have the tool either, used a thick wire to insert in the holes. It worked OK but I still banged the stereo up getting it out, oh well it was going in the garbage anyways (radio only).

I would replace as many speakers as you can... I have 'premium audio' and the speakers were all 10 W cheapos. I put components in the front (modified the top mounts to hold the tweeters) and regular 6.5 inchers in the back. I disconnected the tweeters that were there. I also put an amp on the underside of the trunk, below the rears.

There was nothing that I know of connected to the engine computer.

Paul

[pmartino]

I meant to ask you if your AM radio works... in mine on the factory and the new stereo (with an adaptor from Walmart for the antenna connector) I don't get much for AM. I'm not sure if the antenna is just lacking, if it's broken or if the adaptor only converts the FM.

Paul

[miro1118]

am works fine

[[email protected]]

1.) "Any other wiring suggestions?"

I would really like to know where I can find the wiring diagrams for the harnesses. Does the service manual do a good job of describing these?

"2) Any advise on how to replace the head unit. Can I use something else if I do not have radio removal tool? Should I use a wireing harness. Is there a special antenna adapter."

There is a special antenna adapter, you can buy them widely. I think I got mine at radio shack. It's a corner adapter.

With the tool to remove the radio, I know I had one once. Best to look carefully at the springs once you get the head out. I use a tool that is basically like a thin knife, it's flat and is about 1/4 inch wide. It works perfectly.

Any body know about the wiring of the radio? I want to connect a DVD player audio to the stereo and can't find where to attach it. Be better if I knew what the wires do.

E-Mail me directly, Michael

[nicoleos]

You can get an antenna adapter from best buy (not radioshack. I work there.) or any car audio place. Just tell them you have a vw and the year. Once you get the new deck, it might come with keys to take the old deck out. Unless you have the vw factory deck with the 4 holes, one in each corner. In that case, just poke something in each hole to release the deck locks. You will also need to get a wiring harness so you can connect your new deck to the old vw factory wires. DO NOT disconnect the wires going to the speakers. Just cut them and reconnect them to your new aftermarket speakers. There probably isnt any crossover. My tweeters are just spliced into my 6 1/2s. Kind of cheap of vw to do that, but it works... just not the best. Hopefully that will answer some ?s. Oh if you are trying to connect dvd audio to your FACTORY deck, it wont work. Only premium decks have that ability. You will see two jacks on the back, one red, one white, and they will say input.