Beetle Radio Issue
I have been a lifelong VW fan with very little trouble…but, it seems that I have purchased my last VW product. My daughter owns a 2000 Beetle and replaced a defunct factory radio with a Pioneer CD/AM/FM unit installed by the radio dealer. A few months later she took the Beetle in for state inspection at a close friend’s garage. The inspection computer was unable to connect to the Beetle’s diagnostics and failed the inspection.
The friend informed me that Volkswagen places certain diagnostic computer functions in their branded radio systems to force owner’s to buy only dealer installed sound systems. I thought this was the silliest thing I had ever heard so I contacted VW customer service…and “”Patricia”" confirmed the reliance on dealer installed products…then backtracked and suggested that I have the dealer verify the installation.
I know that car manufacturers are becoming more proprietary in their efforts to sell product…but to hold the owners hostage over an item of such personal taste and preference as a sound system is going too far…especially considering VW’s youthful target market. I am incensed and I intend to spread the word. Goodbye Volkswagen!
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jorgab Said,
March 21, 2006 @ 4:27 am
Beetle Radio Issue – so you have an aftermarket radio that is apparantly installed wrong and you want to hold vw responisble for this issue? yeah that makes a lot of sense. 2 ways you can go about this. 1st and the best option is to have the power supply of the radio rewired to a different source so it does not intefere with the diagnostic equipment. 2nd option is that when ever a diagnostic is run for inspection or for a check engine light, the radio will need to be disconnected before the computer can be read. personally i would take it to a dealer have it rewired and give the bill to the place that installed the aftermarket radio.
297 Said,
March 22, 2006 @ 1:35 am
Beetle Radio Issue – You can have an aftermarket radio, it just won’t be accessible by the diagnostic computer.
Read this.
The dealer installed the K-wire onto the +12 of the aftermarket radio. This will not harm the car or the radio, but it can short out the diagnostic computer.
You can solve the issue by doing the DIY in the link above, or if you’re lazy, buy the custom wiring harness from Crutchfield for $14.99 + s/h.
Non-Monsoon harness
Post edited 03/22/06 1:36 AM by paultakeda
RCWay Said,
March 22, 2006 @ 8:19 am
Now hold on… – I didn’t believe the marlarky the radio dealer was telling me. I asked the VW Customer Service rep if it was true that the diagnostic system could not be accessed with a non-VW radio installed. I had hoped she would say it was BS and document it so that I could slam the radio dealer and demand the job be done right. However, the VW REP confirmed the information offered by the Radio dealer installer. THIS precipitated my rant. I have had VW’s most of my life and have traveled all over the US and Europe in them…and loved them. SO this confirmation of the radio dealer’s “”excuse”" from a VW rep set me off. SHE offered no alternatives short of replacing the Pioneer with a VW model.
Now that you’ve generously offered an alternative option…If this customer service information turns out to be wrong and it is merely an installation issue rather than a concealed component issue…I will OPENLY and READILY apologize to VW and eat my words. My question is…why didn’t Customer Service mention this rather than lead me to believe that it’s VW components or nothing?
I have an appointment with the VW dealer to have the installation checked. If it is a botched job, the radio dealer will get the bill and a hardcopy of the link Paul posted. VW will get my heartfelt apology. I honestly hope that your suggestions resolve the issue and that I can tender that apology. Thank you both for the link and the added information.
Post edited 03/22/06 8:33 AM by RCWay
jorgab Said,
March 22, 2006 @ 9:21 am
Beetle Radio Issue – technicaly it is correct that the radios are wired this way. customer relations is not going to know the ways to get around this. this is probably why they refered you to a vw dealer. good luck with your endeavors.
Post edited 03/22/06 9:25 AM by jorgab
297 Said,
March 22, 2006 @ 12:04 pm
Beetle Radio Issue – Customer Service won’t know anything beyond the simple Q&A system they have in front of them and they only deal with stock components. Their screen will specifically state that the stock radio must be installed in order to perform diagnostics, as the stock radio is included in the diagnostic scan.
An aftermarket radio is a technical issue that, frankly, a radio installer should know about, especially since the problem of VW switching the +12 for the K-wire on the same harness was first identified around five years ago.
RCWay Said,
March 29, 2006 @ 9:18 am
Paul & Jorg Were Right… – …and I was Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! The VW dealer fixed the problem in about 20 minutes and the Beetle passed the state inspection. THe diagnostic computer is back on line and fully operational. Paul and Jorg were right on target and I thank you for your assistance. Even more surprising (for a dealership) they didn’t charge us for the radio harness or labor. My faith in Volkswagen is fully restored. Should have gone to the experts in the first place. My apologies to VW! Now excuse me while I post a scathing post at BestBuySucks.com. (Just kidding! Although…I did send a hardcopy of Paul’s link to the Best Buy installation department.)
Post edited 03/29/06 9:20 AM by RCWay