RE: Subject: background noise

[MSV96@aol.com]

Reid Meyer Asked:
>While playing a cassette on my stereo on my '90 200t an a terribly
>loud voulume, there was an incredible amount of background noise.    I heard
>the noise before at lower volumes, but could not tell what it was.   In a
>break between songs at the high volume, I noticed it was a song with an
>incredible quick bass beat.   I quickly ejected the tape and that song was
>the song on the radio station that I was previouslty listening to.   What
>gves.   I would expect to have this problem with a cheap nasty ystem , but
>with a bose?!?!?   Anyone know what causes this, and is there a prayer to
>fix it?

My guess (as a consumer electronic tech for 20 odd years) is an analog switch
IC or hybrid IC failure. I'm afraid to inform you that all OE radios are
"cheap nasty systems" including Audi's...Not sure who made the Bose in your
200q, but suspect it is a Matsushita (Panasonic) as that was the vendor Audi
switched to from Blaupunkt in the late '80s. I have recently worked on a
"Bose" CD/Cassette/radio (don't know what type of car it was out of-sorry)
which was made by Clarion.

My advice would be one of the following options:

1. Price an "out of warranty exchange" via a friendly dealer parts dept.
(Linda?).

2. Find a used radio like it from an Audi salvage yard.

3. Pull the radio and find out who made it, contact the manufacturer, and
arrange for repairs at a factory service center-make sure they have service
liturature and parts support for this model prior to being without your radio
for weeks or months!

4. Sxxtcan the entire system and start over (and since this is an integrated
Bose system that means everything-deck, speakers, and amplifiers)...it might
be time anyway since we are talking about a 6 year old OE stereo (and if you
think Audi pays big$$$ for an OE radio in a 40k+ car, you have been fooling
yourself).

If you really like the way the system looks and sounds in your car, option 1
is probably the best bet. Good luck! PS, I am envious of your car...it is one
of my dream cars!

Mike Veglia
85 4ksq (stock except aftermarket stereo)