Old Library

I was on the road this weekend and met up with a couple of other
listmembers.  Several were interested in VWTool and I tried to give a
demo.  Unfortunately, the car that was available to demo the product was
a 1998 with an aftermarket radio.  I suppose I have too much faith in
the power of this list...

The radio was installed with a Metra harness adapter.  Bad news!  This
adapter connects the K-Wire to unswitched +12!  Bottom line:  The ISO
<-> RS232 adapter that came with my Carcomp software is now toast.

This same problem is also known to blow VAG 1551's, and *may* cause
damage to the ECU, ABS/EDL and Airbag controllers as well -- thankfully,
in this case, it appears the guy's controllers are OK -- he's since cut
the offending wire and had his car sucessfully scanned using a 1551.

Anyway,

* If you own Carcomp's VWTool or OBDTool, think twice before scanning
any 1998 car that has an aftermarket radio installed.

* If you have a 1998 and already have or are planning to install an
aftermarket radio, double-check the harness adapter and make sure the
K-wire does not get connected to *anything*.

This whole mess was documented right here on this list in back in May
and you can read more about it at
h t t p ://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6/library/hifi/prob_w_Metra_wiring_adapter_in_98s.html

This URL is now at:
http://www.gti-vr6.net/library/hifi/prob_w_Metra_wiring_adapter_in_98s.html

[driver/hired]

-Uwe-


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Matt Cleland wrote:
>
> So, I'm probably in this situation, since I used a
> Crutchfield harness to install my CD receiver.
> Since it was such a PITA to get the unit installed,
> is there a simple way with a VOM to look at the connector
> by the ashtray and determine whether or not I have the problem?
> I would think I could check for +12V on the K-wire pin
> (which one is that?) on the datalink connector.
>
> Whatcha think?  I vaguely remember the back of the harness having a couple
> blue loops from pin to pin, but it's been nearly a year.

Yup, the blue loops are bad news.

But I think you're right, you should be able to test for this problem
with a volt meter.  Refer to the diagram at
http://wso.net/ross/Uwe/VR6/Service/OBD%20Connector.gif; now check for
voltage between pin 4 (or 5) and 7 with the ignition OFF.  There should
not be any.   If there is, you've got a problem.

If anyone has successfully scanned your car with a 1551 since you
installed the stereo, you also know you're OK.

-Uwe-

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To be on the safe side when installing an aftermarket radio remove the "K"
wire from the # 3 Black plug # 3 terminal pin.  This way if you ever have
to go to the dealer you can tell them that  the "K" wire connection for the
radio is disconnected from the plug housing.

Don
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