Re: Rothenburg Extraction. The Saga Continues

[harrison <hsapir@multiverse.com>]

Well, here is my advice to you: I understand that you would like to keep the
Factory setup but I have found that Audis in the 80's need a few new
components. The 10 speaker system has potential, but is flawed by
insufficient power & faulty tape drives (they play too slow). What I have
done is bought an after market (Alpine) head unit with front & rear preamp
outputs and a four channel amplifier ( also Alpine, but that's personal
preference) at 30w per channel. I hooked this equipment up to the factory
speakers and voila! pro sounding system. You see, the speakers themselves
are nice and mounted well too, but the factory system has just too little
power.

Paul Kuettel wrote:

> Hi All!
>
> Thanks to all who confirmed that I would need to disrobe part of my
> '885KTQ's console to access  the very-difficult-to-reach rear mounting
> bolt.  Must be an undocumented anti-theft measure :-(
>
> Back up to beginning.  When I acquired the car all worked well except
> for the 10-speaker stereo.  RR deck speaker worked sporadically, but
> usually emitted annoying static.  LF dash and door speakers were
> silent.  LR and RF arrays worked fine.
>
> Step 1. Checked LF dash speaker -- wasn't there!  Pulled the other
> side's speaker and hooked up, but still no sound.  Haven't pulled door
> panel to see if THOSE two are missing.
>
> Step 2. Replaced head unit after much effort.  Same problems.
>
> OK.  At this point I have reasonably concluded thus:
>
> 1. I need a new rear *booster*.  The static aint the speaker -- I've
> substituted and confirmed.  Or should/could I bypass the thing
> completely?  Seems it has a built in crossover as well as a puny amp, so
> would prefer just to fix/replace it.  Anyone got one?  Please reply
> off-list.
>
> 2. I assume that somewhere between the head and the LF array something
> is un-hooked or defective.  Crossover?  OK.  Where the Freak'n Fred IS
> IT?  I have remove more driver-side fascia/carpet, airduct than I will
> ever get properly back on.  I have been dumbstruck at the incredible
> volume of neatly taped and routed electronic viscera that lives under
> the dash and behind the footwell.
>
> Recap:  Will keep Rothenburg--want to restore system to factory spec.
>
> Definitely need a new rear booster.
>
> Am up in the air on what to do about restoring continuity between the
> radio and the LF speakers.
>
> Oh!  What's the easiest antenna fix?  Can the semi-impotent OEM be
> coaxed back into full extension or is there a better replacement?
>
> The ball is in your court, fellow VW love/haters.  Looking forward to
> many constructive returns!
>
> Cheers!
>
> Paul Kuettel
> Nothing Better to Do in Minnesota -- '885KTQ with plenty of snow for
> visceral entertainment, but missing the AUDIO stimulation!
>
> PS. Among the many surprises I found whilst disrobing the fascia was a
> contoller mounted to the under-steering shroud.  Could not for life of
> me figger what it was for, despite poring over Bentleys I and II.
> Wasn't sure if I could drive the thing without this magic box, labelled
> *GR Steuerung Apparat* or something.  Finally drew on some long dormant
> translation brain cells and realized that it was the cruise control
> controller.  Thus assured, I have been driving my naked car (reminds me
> of the Revell Model *Visible Man* I built as a kid) while awaiting the
> solution to the Rothenburg Affair.