Symphony 2 install in non-Audi?

[Walt_Helsel at URSCorp.com]

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-----Ti Kan <ti at amb.org> wrote: -----
Hi Walt,
Walt_Helsel at URSCorp.com writes:
> I'm trying to install a (I believe 02'?) Symphony II six disc CD with tape
deck
> in a non-Audi car.. how miserable is my life going to be in doing this? I've
> read that the CANbus is used for some features, and obviously my car won't
> have that.. so what do I lose?
The face plate of the radio is shaped specifically to fit the Audi model's
center console, so you will probably need to do some custom work to
make it install right in a non-Audi car.
***Got it, already planned for a little Dremel tool action. The unit itelf is
swuare so I should be able to trim it to a double DIN opening and make it
work.

The CAN bus is used for communication with the instrument cluster.
On the Audi, the radio mode/frequency/name etc can be displayed there,
and on the Symphony II it is likely used also for speed information (for
speed adjusted volume), because there is no separate speedometer signal
connection.

***** Hmmm.. bummer.  Ok, Speed compensated sound is out.  My right hand works
so I can still twist the knob. :)

These are probably inconsequential to you, but there
is one feature that may be a problem... The Symphony II's security
lockout feature is coded to match the car. I am not sure, but even if
you have the unlock code, it may not be sufficient to wake it up. You
may need to re-program the radio via the diagnostic port, using the
VAG scan tool. However, when installed in a non-Audi, you lose *that*
connectivity (that's what the K-line is used for). The new security
feature of this radio is that even if it loses battery power, you don't
have to enter the security code to unlock it if it is still connected
to the same car after the power is reconnected.

***** If the radio won't wake up, I can probably run out to my local dealer
and talk nice with the techs to see if we can slip it in a correct car, unlock
the radio, disable the codes.. then I can install it? I know on other
vechicles the safety feature of OEM decks is able to be defeated... I just
stuck a replacemnt OEM deck in my wife's Pontiac that has security but it wasn't
enabled so when I installed it the deck fired right up.
> I need:
> All CD functions
> All Tape functions
> All Tuner functions
Assuming you get the radio to wake up and get past the security lockout,
and have all the needed wiring done, these should be no problem.
Note that Audis that come with this radio have an antenna amplifier,
and a non-amplified antenna may not provide sufficient reception.

***** Hmmm.. that might be an issue.  Is that part locateable and removeable,
i.e. Junkyard visit?  If not, I may be able to locate a booster of sorts.
Where is it inthe car, part of the antenna?
> Display dimming with Headlights/dashboard dimmer
The radio display does not dim with the headlight switch. It has a
light sensor that automatically dims itself in a gradual manner
depending on ambient lighting conditions. The buttons' backlighting
is probably something you lose without having the CAN bus connectivity
to the instrument cluster, since there is apparently no separate dimmer
signal connection.

***** Is that the very small spot above the "FM" button?  I assume the one
over "Menu" is the security LED.  Button illumination, bah, that's rather
important.
> Stuff that I can live without:
> Speed adjusted volume
> Telephone/NAV muting
Yep. You're not going to get that if you don't have compatible
perpheral systems in the car.

***** NP, but I might (based on the pinout) be able to get muting to work if I
wanted... not sure it serves any purpose for me tho.
> I basically wanted a 6 disc with tape that has a red display and is an OEM
> deck (theft deterance).. the Symphony fit those and was a great price so I
> snapped it up. Now I need to figure out if it will work. So, will I have the
> functions of a plain-Jane radio or is it going to be an uphill battle to
even
> get it to work?
I'll include the connection description for the older Delta CC and the
Concert I/Symphony I radios below. The Symphony II is only slightly
different than the Symphony I, so hopefully that will help you get
things wired up correctly.

***** I overlaid it on the Symph II pinout I found, check here:
http://www.gravitydesign.net/saturn/yellowsub/images/SympII_Labelled.gif[1]
Do I have the pins laid out correctly?  Looks like the major changes are Black
1,2 and 4 and that's it?
> After I get this to work (hopefully) I'm also going to want an Aux. input
> too.. I found this: http://forums.audiworld.com/audio/msgs/1166.phtml[6] and
I
> think that gets me there but until I have the deck, no clue.
Yes, but it's not a simply aux input. There is a external CD changer
input, and you have to hook up an active adapter to fool the radio into
thinking that it's talking to a CD changer before it will let you switch
to it. Blitzsafe AudiAUXInputAdapter and Soundate SDS1 are both usable:
http://www.blitzsafe.com[2]
http://www.soundgate.com/index.htm[3]
***** Ah, I had the same issue with my previous car.. OEM Mazda.  I needed the
addon CD deck to get workable aux.  Thanks for the heads up with those parts.

I'm feeling optomistic on it, so we shall see.

How much of these problems are averted by going to a Symphony I radio?
Illumination and speed compensated sound?  Are those red display?  Might have
to find one of those and swap for it...

Thanks for the help!
Wallyman




===References:===
  1. http://www.gravitydesign.net/saturn/yellowsub/images/SympII_Labelled.gif
  2. http://www.blitzsafe.com
  3. http://www.soundgate.com/index.htm