How To: Non-Audi CD Changer Install (98A4)

[Chas Baumerich <chas@harrier.net>]

In about a half hour today, I installed an aftermarket CD and everything
worked flawlessly.  Just wanted to share the process with anyone else who
wants to have a CD changer with their 1998 A4 Audi w/Concert Radio Head
(and save a $100 or so).

Chas. Baumerich
98A4tq

=============================================================

STUFF USED:

FROM A4.ORG
Roy Rose's excellent FAQ instructions on do-it-yourself installation of the
Audi changer. It's reprinted below with a few comments of mine in
[brackets].

FROM CRUTCHFIELD <WWW.CRUTCHFIELD.COM> or <1-800-955-3000>
Panasonic CD Changer, Part # 133CXDP601, Price $269.95
1998 Audi to Panasonic CD Changer Adapter, Part # 541AUPAN98, Price $19.95

FROM LOCAL AUDI DEALER
CD-Kit, Part # 8D5-051-103, Price $90.00 (ouch!)

OBSERVATIONS:

In 1998 Audi used a Panasonic DP601 6 disc changer with four rings
stenciled on the front.  The Audi mounting kit fits perfectly to both the
Audi and aftermarket changer and in turn to the car.  While the Audi kit is
somewhat expensive, it gives a professional look to the installation.  You
could, of course, use the installation bits and pieces which come with the
changer, mount it yourself, and save $90.00, but the Audi kit requires no
drilling and as I said looks quite good.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

>From A4.ORG
Written by: RoyRose@aol.com
Contributions by: chas@harrier.net
Please direct specific questions to the author(s)!

These instructions apply to 1998 A4 1.8T and 1998.5 A4 2.8 sedans (with
Audi Concert Radio/head unit).

The three main steps are to install the changer into the big plastic box,
to connect the changer's connector [the adapter cord] to the preinstalled
DIN connector and to attach the plastic box to the trunk floor and the
wheel well. Details follow:

I.  INSTALLING THE CHANGER INTO THE PLASTIC BOX: This is pretty easy to do
following the drawing that comes with the installation kit. First make sure
that the Vertical/Horizontal adjustment screws are set to Vertical on both
sides of the changer. The installation kit comes with three metal brackets.
Screw the two identical brackets onto the sides of the changer. Slip 2
speed nuts onto the "feet" of each metal bracket then slide the changer
into the plastic box, making sure to feed the connector cord [with the
adapter cord connected] through the hole in the bottom of the compartment.
Then secure the changer using two screws through each end of the plastic
box. [Process is identical with the Panasonic DP601]

II.  PREPARING THE TRUNK AREA: Remove the black plastic sheet [panel] that
covers the rear trunk vertical wall by unscrewing 8 metal fasteners. Then
peel the trunk lining material away from the drivers side rear trunk corner
and wheel well area. You will have to pop off two plastic fasteners [use a
screwdriver] near the tail light assembly. Then find the electric cable
with the round DIN connector which has a piece of protective foam material
taped to it [it may not be taped on, mine wasn't]. Free the cable and
connector up [carefully cut the plastic tie which holds it to a cable
bundle] so that it can later be connected to the cd changer. Then find a
punched hole in the metal rib that runs along the wheel well. Slip a speed
nut over the punched hole. [Alternative method to locating the punched hole
in the rib and installing the speed not is in section IV, below].  Then
push the trunk lining back into place, making sure the cable with the DIN
connector is protruding towards the rear corner of the trunk near the tail
light. I had the cable coming through a pre cut slit in the trunk lining
material near the tail light assembly. [Do NOT replace the plastic rear
trunk panel at this time!]

III. ATTACH THE THIRD METAL BRACKET TO THE TRUNK FLOOR: The third metal
bracket is longer and heavier than the other brackets that come with the
kit. The diagram that comes with the kit does NOT show how to attach it.
Lift the carpet that covers the trunk floor. You will see that the rear
driver's side cargo tie down ring is bolted to a black metal plate. The
plate has screw holes on each end that match up with two screw holes on the
third metal bracket. Bolt the bracket to the plate so that the horizontal
speed nut is towards the rear and the vertical speed nut is forward.

IV.  ATTACH THE PLASTIC BOX WITH CD CHANGER IN IT TO TRUNK FLOOR AND WHEEL
WELL: Remove the tire jack and tool kit [there's a compartment in the CD
changer/box assembly to hold all the stuff displaced from the wheel well],
then position the box so that its low area fits where the jack and tool kit
were. This should position the box so that it can be bolted to the third
metal bracket with two sheet metal screws. [Make sure CD cable/adapter
isn't trapped under the box assembly.  You'll need to connect ti to the
factory wire later].  The third attachment point is a little harder. There
is a small vertical slit in the area of the trunk lining covering the area
of the wheel well where you previously put the speed nut. I had to cut away
a small piece of the trunk lining material to get at the speed nut and then
screw the bracket (on the front side of the cd box) to it. [Alternative:
Temporarily fasten changer/box assembly to the bottom mounting bracket with
the sheet metal screws.  Using a fine tip felt marker, trace the outside
perimeter of the upper mounting onto the trunk lining.  Remove the
changer/box assembly and using a utility knife, cut away the traced section
of trunk liner.  The punched hole will now be visible.  Snap in the speed
nut, remount the changer/box assembly, and secure everything with the three
sheet metal screws.]

V.  FINISHING UP: Connect the connector [blue adapter cord] from the cd
changer to the [factory] DIN connector. The cd changer should now work
after loading the cd cartridge with cds, putting the cartridge into the
changer, then pushing the mode button on the Concert radio head unit. All
that is left is to trim the edge of the black plastic sheet [panel] to
accommodate the extra height of the new bracket. (there is a snap out
already scribed) [you may have remove an extra half-inch or so above the
scribed section to get the panel to fit correctly], screw the sheet [panel]
back into place and trim the floor rug so it can fit neatly into place.
Enjoy.