Car Stereos: VW Passat head unit, emissions test, obd ii connector

Question
I just replaced the factory head unit on my 2000 VW passat with a standard after market head unit. I took my car in for an emissions test and the guys at the shop told me that because of the way that the head unit is installed they have to remove it to do any of the testing. I called the guys who installed it at circuit city and they said that its standard to have to do that on passats and there is nothing that can be done. Could it really be that there is no way to hook the head unit up without having to pay to have it removed every time I have an emissions test? How can I install it differently that wont require this to happen??

Richie

Answer
Hi Richie,

Yes, it's true.  It's unfortunate that VW thought it'd be a good idea to run a 'data bus' line through the stereo wiring, causing the OBD II connector on your car to become unusable, and part of emissions testing involves checking the car's computer to ensure there are no fault codes stored.

I'm unaware of any easy way of fixing this, except putting the stereo back.

Justin