Audio Systems: Audio Wiring problem, pioneer cd player, vw jetta

Question
Hello,

  I found this posting on the allexperts website, and am having the EXACT same problem (same year, make, model of car and same brand stereo) as this guy did.  My stereo worked for more than 3 years before the problem occurred, so it is not a harness problem.  I also popped another Pioneer into my car and the same problem occurred, even though that other unit works perfectly in the vehicle from which it came. Below I have attached the dialog from the other person with this problem, can you help?? Thank-you!!

Natalie

"" Expert: Cleggsan
Date: 1/29/2008
Subject: 97 VW Jetta Radio/Speaker Question

Question
QUESTION: I have a 97 VW Jetta which had a pioneer cd player installed in it. The sound started sounding terrible on it, and then after turning the volume up, it began to get "crackly", followed by no sound at all from any of the speakers. I figured it would be improbable for all 8 speakers to go at once, so I assumed it was the cd player itself. I purchased another Pioneer stereo to replace the assumed broken one, and installed it, using orig. wiring harness adapter. No sound from this one either. I removed the stereo and tried it to a home stereo speaker, and there was sound coming from it, which means it is not the stereo, but rather the speakers, or the wiring. With the orig. stereo in the vehicle, I tried a test light on the speakers, to see if there was any power going to the speakers, and there was none.
Is there anything in a 97 VW Jetta that would cause this situation, or did I blow all of the speakers ?

ANSWER: Not sure what you are testing with the test light but I don't know of any test light that will tell if the speaker systems are working properly.   

Also, I need to know the make and model of the cd unit it give any directly applicable advice.

However, generally speaking, you want to make sure you have the right wiring harness.  You can check that out at crutchfield.com or installer.com.  Also, you can check the wiring wire by wire at:

http://installdr.com/Harnesses/VW-Wiring.pdf
or
http://installdr.com/InstallDocs/VW/PDF/890005.pdf

It might be worth spending $9.83 for a volt/ohm meter at Walmart or Home Depot so you can check to see if you are getting the full 12v at the player.

So here are my questions:
- Are you using the right wiring cable and getting the right connection to each speaker.  If not it will be big trouble.
- Is the unit getting proper voltage to the two power lines.
- Are the grounds good and solid.

Does this help?  Let me know further if necessary.
C



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Same wiring that was on the orig.(pioneer deh-p4100)radio, replaced with pioneer deh-p4500mp unit, soldered & heat shrinked the wiring , it worked for over a year. Previously front speakers sounded "bad" and then all of a sudden quit. Since no sound from any speakers, figured unit was bad. All functions on both units worked, just no sound. Tried test light to see if there was any voltage coming to the speakers.

Get the answer below
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Answer
In cases such as this the best strategy is to bench test the unit to make sure it is definetely working.  Do this by pulling the unit out of the car, run long leads from the battery and fire it up. Connect known good speaker to one of the outputs and prove to yourself that the unit is working. Check each of the speaker outputs, etc.  If you haven't already done this kind of check.

Then, before putting the unit back in check the continuity of the wiring from where the unit will connect out to each of the speakers; checking for grounds to the chassis of the car and shorts on the speaker line  (one shorted speaker can cause the entire unit to fail).  Make sure you know with out a shadow of doubt where all the wires are going and that there are no troubles in the lines or speakers.

This should solve your problem.  Your comment that a front speaker sounded bad could be a sign that it was the cause of the troubles.  You might try connecting the unit up after doing the tests above but leaving the bad speaker disconnected and see what happens.

Best wishes,
C  ""  

Answer
there is a factory amplifier in the vehicle  most of the times it is in the trunk
this units go bad because of a bad installation
the factory radio output  is about 1.0 volt
the radio it was install in the vehicle output is about 8 volts and is called a high output radio

this high voltage input damage the factory amplifier that was made
for the factory radio only

time to find the amplifier and remove it  
run all the speakers to the radio and it will work again

good luck