[V6-12v] any caveats about replacing radio

[The CyberPoet]

I know that on our previous 200 and on our current 100S, the stock 
Audi/Bose system operates as part of the anti-theft system for the car, 
including using the rear speakers as part of the alarm (and the mic 
tie-in from the dash as part of the glass-break sensor if I recall 
correctly). That said, here is what I learned long ago:

(A) Audi shipped multiple types of stereo systems as "Stock", including 
the Bose Gamma units. The Gamma units wiring diagram is at one of my 
websites:
http://www.cyberpoet.net/audi/100&S4_Radio_connectors.jpg
(may need to be translated to 
http://www.cyberpoet.net/audi/100%26S4_Radio_connectors.jpg depending 
on your browser).
And the OEM label here: http://www.cyberpoet.net/audi/Gamma.jpg
Not all of their units used the amp-at-speaker Bose rear speakers, and 
if yours did not, adapting an aftermarket stereo should work readily.

(B) With the gamma units, the self-amplified rear speakers get a signal 
that has an odd resistance value (2k to 4k Ohms comes to mind, but it's 
been years). The reason for this, I was told, was primarily to ensure 
that there was no engine whine in the sound signal. People have 
reported on the Q-list over the years in having various levels of 
success with either using a gamma-compatible replacement unit (certain 
Blaupunkt models), and/or disconnecting the amplifiers at the rear 
speakers (by bridging the wires and cutting the amp out of the circuit 
at the speaker) and putting inline "whine" filters in to use the 
speakers with traditional wiring from traditional 4 to 16 ohm 
aftermarket stereos.

(C) The other solution is to replace the speakers along with the head 
unit, finding similar sized replacements matched to the new stereo. 
This removes the entire issue with the line levels, amplified rear 
speakers, etc. I did this to one audi, but it was an expensive and 
painful event (the pioneer system sounded wonderful, but installing the 
rear speakers was a PIA).

Finally, there are two firms that recondition the stock headunits for 
about $110 - $120 including shipping... you send them yours and they 
send you a replacement out of the pile of fixed ones, complete with an 
one-year warrantee. It's not a wonderful solution (in the sense that it 
doesn't give you MP3/CD/CDR/DVD/etc), but you get to keep using all the 
technology that Audi intended for you, and with an iPod & transmitter, 
you can have all the marvels of the modern age with the OEM stereo. 
Plus you get to keep using that hyper-wonderful dual-antenna radio that 
does such a superb job of pulling in stations near and far.

Cheers
=-= Marc

On Monday, April 18, 2005, at 09:08 PM, Kent McLean wrote:

> Steve Kramer wrote:
>> My question is that my Audi v8 had an aftermaket radio installed and 
>> the store bypasses the the starter because the starter was looking to 
>> the radio for a code.  Would the same thing apply here.
>
> Wow!  I don't know about the V8, but it makes no sense on
> a "normal" car.  It sounds like someone was blowing smoke
> when they explained it to you.  There is no intelligence
> in a starter that I know of.
>
>> Also does the wiring harness take into account the passive front 
>> speakers and the active rear speakers.
>
> The wiring harness is just wires -- again, no intelligence.
> The signal/power delivered to those wires (and therefore the
> speakers) from the head unit may differ, front and rear, but
> that would be controlled by the head unit, not the wiring.
>
> --
> Kent McLean
> '94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
> '89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke
> '56 Austin-Healey 100 BN2, for sale
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> V6-12v mailing list
> V6-12v at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v6-12v
>