Comments | orv: Cabriolet radio install

orv

Cabriolet radio install

Jan 23, 2011 18:20

Installing a modern radio in an older VW presents a unique problem - there's no switched power. The stock radios are active all the time, whether the ignition is on or not. This doesn't work so well with modern stereos, which are never really off unless the power is removed from their "switched power" wire ( Read more... )

Comments 6

kianir January 24 2011, 05:50:24 UTC

orv January 24 2011, 05:59:10 UTC

Yeah, that's how it's been for me in the past. This particular head unit is pretty awkward to actually turn off, though, and it's in a car that Dana will be primarily driving. I was afraid she'd forget and I'd be stuck jump starting it. ;) When you're using an external audio source (iPod) and disconnect it, it's easy to miss that the amp is still on.

I've also heard of head units that draw significant amounts of power from the switched power line even when "off," although I haven't run into any myself.

jon_helfrich January 26 2011, 01:39:08 UTC

If I recall correctly, VW actually had the radios turn off with the car in the early 1990s? I remember reading that about the Fox in the standard catalog of volkswagen 1946-2004. (Really neat book btw.)

I'm weird and actually like the door/seatbelt chime. The VW Foxes all got that three note musical chime though.

Speaking of Foxes, I need to repair/replace the driver's side door handle again, what a pain. :P

orv January 26 2011, 06:02:13 UTC

I actually don't mind it on my '89. It's not nearly as annoying as the buzzer my '90 Econoline had. On the '88 it was already gone when I got the car.

Does the old VW trick of swapping the driver's and passenger's door handles work on a Fox?

Module Location ext_605460 May 23 2011, 18:05:29 UTC

I'm going to give this a shot, but one issue, where is the seat belt warning module on mk1's?
Thanks

Re: Module Location orv May 23 2011, 19:10:19 UTC

It's in the main relay panel under the dash. If it's still installed, it's easy to spot - it's the only module with a speaker grille on top of it. I'm only familiar with Cabriolets, but in them it's the second row up from the bottom, in the third position from the left. This is just to the right of the fuel pump relay. There are good diagrams here: http://cabby-info.com/electrical_system.htm#Fuse