Volkswagen: VW Passat Radio REmoval and Fuse replacement, hanging file folder, passat vw

Question
A year ago my radio died without warning. The VW Dealer replaced the fuse in the back of the radio and said if it happens again I may need to buy a radio. It happened again. The car is a 2002 Passat VW AWD Wagon with 102000 miles. The first failure occurred about a year ago at 82000 miles. I want to remove he radio and replace the fuse myself. I know I need a special tool. The dealer charge me 439.00 to do it. What do you think? Where can I get the tool and fuse? The dealer?
Bob

Answer
You can get the tool at either Best Buy or Circuit City in their stereo department, or on ebay.  You can also make one from the metal spine from a hanging file folder.  You may need the radio security code from your manual, but post 2000 it should reset on it's own after a day.  If it doesn't, per the manual your dealer is supposed to give you the code for free.  It would help if you gave them the serial number etched into the case of the radio.