QuestionHi,
I'm ready to smash my head through my windshield with an install problemo. I have attempted to replace my "Premium Audio" deck that came w/the VW. I was under the impression that it was a Bose deck. A major seller of audio components told me that I needed an PAC OEM-2 interface to get the new deck, a Pioneer, to work with the Bose amp/speakers which are not being replaced. I have hooked up 2 seperate PAC interfaces, neither of which appears to work correctly. When the PAC is hooked up it results in low volume and relatively high distortion. When deck is hooked directly to the VW wiring harness the unit works great but I am concerned about damaging the Bose amp. What is happening here? No one appears to have a definitive answer to this problem. Could it be that the original deck is NOT a Bose system? There is nothing on original deck to indicate that it is Bose product. The local VW dealer appears clueless. Any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you !
AnswerHere is what I recommend.
First:
Go to www.crutchfield.com and check out their listings for your car. If you put in the right year, model, etc. the Crutchfield site will come up with harnesses and compatible equipment listing. This may not be the exact answer, but it will help you understand what the compatibility issues are.
(Just a BTW, Crutchfield makes it their business to study all cars and make sure they know exactly what is going on with each one; it is the most reliable site I know of for these kinds of things. They send engineers to the standards meetings and trade organizations to make sure they are comptible with all people in the field; they do admirable work in car radio installation databases.)
Second:
Go to
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/VW/PDF/890005.pdf
and study through these documents and installation photos.
Be sure and click on the page with the wiring diagrams:
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/VW/PDF/890005.pdf
and study through that.
InstallDR is also a fantastic site; they are not as current or accurate as is Crutchfield, but they have marvelous information that has been accumulated over the years.
Thirdly: Download the owners manual for the deck you are using (assuming it passed muster at Crutchfield list of products for your model car) and check out the connection points and any other information given on the model.
Fourthly:
After learning all you can from Crutchfield and InstallDR get your equipment wires labled with your own definite linking of where they go and what they connect to by taking an ohmmeter (Walmart for $9.83) and checking each speaker run, power line and signal connection points, etc. This way you will KNOW where the wires go and where they are supposed to connect.
Then, armed with all the where and how connections you should be able to make a go of it.
But, if you are still having problems, let me know further.
Cleggsan
PS: You are not alone, I have heard of others pulling out their hair with VW products. That is why I am sendig you through all the hoops at Crutchfield, Installdr and the manuals. If you google your cars audio installation you will find some forums of people with successful installations and some who have failed totally. As for Bose, I have never seen an auto with Bose equipment that does not have the Bose trademark insignias in prominent places. Amar Bose does not let auto companies use his products without proper recognition. So, if there is no Bose name on the product, it is not bose. You can count on that.
