Radio amp

[Joe Yakubik <75363.2524@compuserve.com>]

Jay@aol.com describes some cool hardware and some trouble with his
antenna/stereo.  I'm tuning in late (pun intended) so excuse me if I re-cover
some previously covered ground

In his search to improve reception he has discovered that the white wire that
goes from the radio to the rear amp and to the antenna amp carries current.
This is perfectly normal.  The white wire tells the speaker amp and the antenna
amp when to turn on  (radio on = amps on).  Coincidentally the white wire is
also the power supply wire for the antenna amp (Not 100% sure on the second
part, but darn near positive). 

The door chime is also perfectly normal, in older Audi's you could turn the
radio on with the key out.  When you opened the door with the radio on:  "Bing,
bing, bing, bing.....".  Putting voltage on the red/blue wire probably simulates
this condition.  BTW:  Red w/ a blue stripe is a typical Audi accessory wire
color.  Usually 12v switched with the ignition circuit.  I wouldn't necessarily
"ignore" this wire.

The A4 has the "printed into the glass" antenna right?  Extrapolating from a few
other models, the amp is probably located very near the window.  The speaker amp
may be integral into providing a link from the radio to the antenna, but I doubt
it.

My recommendations:  find the "amp out" or "power antenna out" from your radio.
Audi is white, some other brands (Pioneer, for one) are blue.  Connect this to
your the white wire in your Audi radio harness.  Unplug your speaker amp
(parallel amps, generally bad idea).  Turn on your radio and see what happens.

Option #2:  Drive you 96 model car on down to the dealer and ask, nicely, to see
the wiring diagram for the radio/antenna section.  Say please.  Talk to one of
the mechanics.  While you are looking, find out which pin on the factory radio
controls the telephone mute feature.  My vote is second row from the top, fourth
pin inboard -- a gray wire.

Option #3:  Call Crutchfields.  Ask them what's up.

Joe Yakubik