Car Stereos: help, rca cables, line output converter

Question
hi bian i have a jetta tdi 2001 and i whant to install my subwoofer and ampli. but i dont know how to install the remote cable and the rca cable there is not input for those cables in the original radio how can i do?

Answer
Hi Renato,

Very few factory radio units include RCA outputs for an after-market amplifier.  You need a device called a line output converter.  This connects to the factory speaker wires, and converts the audio signal to a low-level output that can be connected to your RCA cables.  You can keep your stock speakers connected and still use a line output converter.

In most cases, you'd install the line output converter behind the factory radio, connecting it to the speaker wires in the radio harness.  However, if your Jetta is equipped with a factory Monsoon audio system, you can connect the line output converter at the Monsoon amplifier in the trunk.

The best place to connect the amp's remote wire is to the accessory power wire in the radio harness; it should be yellow with a red stripe.  This will cause your new amplifier to turn on and off with the key switch.  However, another option is to buy a line output converter that includes a built-in remote trigger circuit.  This would automatically turn on the new amplifier whenever an audio signal was detected on the speaker wires.

Hope this helps!

Brian