will not pass smog w/o factory player?

[afinley]

itll turn it all the way off. the problem with the k-wire mix up is that when the HU is on its sends 12v down a wire that is supposed to be a data connection. if you turn your HU all the way off, that line goes to 0v, and the OBD2 connector works.

the real thing to do is fix the problem, but if all youre trying to do is get the car inspected, the faceplate will do it.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Yes, the "K" wire is designed to carry data and some low level voltage (not like that from audio gear or the battery), but no, the rest of what you have stated is not necessarily true and it is not the entire issue, the "K" wire is not suppose to be connected to any cable that generates any high level hard voltage at anytime, regardless of whether the Head unit is on or off.

High level voltage entering the "K" wire does not only put a vagcom at risk of damage but it can also cause damage to your vehicle/ECU etc.

FYI folks, do not connect the "K" wire at all when using a head unit other than the factory piece, make sure that the "K" wire is connect to nothing (Not Terminated) and that the end of it is heat-shrinked (Insulated).

[Perfection]

This is true! I had my cd player in my 99 nb done at best buy and it failed emissions becase it was unable to read. In the state of nj when u fail emissions you can only have your car fixed by an emissions repair facility and they have to sign the paperwork saying that they fixed it so that they will reinspect your car. Only thing is there wasent anything wrong with my emissions so the repair facilties couldnt fix it and they couldnt sign the pappers saying that they did so i couldnt get it reinpected. I had to rive around with a failed sticker for amost a year! I finally got a k wire put in by vw (who had me take the car elsewhere to get the radio removed and put back in after the k wire was installed. they would not touch it at all!) and then i still had to wait out the time alowed for reinspection becase vw is not an emissions repair facility and they could not reinspect me even tho it had been fixed by vw. It was a nightmare! I am sooo glad my new nbc has a cd changer so i do not have to go thought that mess all over again!

[HootieFan]

No idea..... afinely was the one who said it.... it's all his/her fault

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by HootieFan

No idea..... afinely was the one who said it.... it's all his/her fault

No idea about what?

[HootieFan]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

What's removing the face plate from the head unit suppose to do?

this is what I have NO IDEA about.... go to the first page and read the posts

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by Perfection

This is true! I had my cd player in my 99 nb done at best buy and it failed emissions becase it was unable to read. In the state of nj when u fail emissions you can only have your car fixed by an emissions repair facility and they have to sign the paperwork saying that they fixed it so that they will reinspect your car. Only thing is there wasent anything wrong with my emissions so the repair facilties couldnt fix it and they couldnt sign the pappers saying that they did so i couldnt get it reinpected. I had to rive around with a failed sticker for amost a year! I finally got a k wire put in by vw (who had me take the car elsewhere to get the radio removed and put back in after the k wire was installed. they would not touch it at all!) and then i still had to wait out the time alowed for reinspection becase vw is not an emissions repair facility and they could not reinspect me even tho it had been fixed by vw. It was a nightmare! I am sooo glad my new nbc has a cd changer so i do not have to go thought that mess all over again!

K-wires don't get installed, they are an existing part of VW wiring schematics. The problem occurs when an aftermarket radio is insalled improperly (with the k-wire still connected).

So true you would have passed emissions if the diagnostic computer would have been able to connect in the first place. Unfortunately they probably don't have an exception box saying "Retest when diagnostic tool is able to communicate with ECM." or "Diagnostic tool error, free retest when communication issue is resolved."

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by HootieFan

this is what I have NO IDEA about.... go to the first page and read the posts

But that's why quoting a prior post is helpful for claification.

[HootieFan]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

But that's why quoting a prior post is helpful for claification.

thanks for the info.... what can I say.... i'm somewhat of a newbie to this posting stuff.... gotta learn sometime I suppose. Thanks for the tip

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by HootieFan

thanks for the info.... what can I say.... i'm somewhat of a newbie to this posting stuff.... gotta learn sometime I suppose. Thanks for the tip

We're all learning and just along for the ride. Hopefully in our Beetles

[1hotbug]

So what is the color of the K-wire? And it should be disconnected from the harness all together and connected to nothing? Is that correct?

THanks,

Derrick

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Don't hold me to this because it's been awhile since I've had to deal with it, I believe it is brown and yes, the "K" wire should not be terminated, connect it to nothing and insulate it so it doesn't contact anything.

[cjsoto2]

Installed aftermarket stereo and now SEL is on. Took to dealership and was told the radio was interfering with computer. What do I do? Take it back to Best Buy and have them install the radio correctly? Anyone have any answers? I don't have original radio anymore so I can't install back.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Originally Posted by cjsoto2

Installed aftermarket stereo and now SEL is on. Took to dealership and was told the radio was interfering with computer. What do I do? Take it back to Best Buy and have them install the radio correctly? Anyone have any answers? I don't have original radio anymore so I can't install back.

Your first mistake was letting a shop like that touch your car, this kind of result is very common with outfits like that, they probably connected the "K" wire to a high level of 12 volt are something, I wouldn't let these types of shops install a stereo on a rusty tricycle...

This is my suggestion: Go back to Best Buy and speak with the store manager, not the shop manager, not an inside floor manager, not an assistant manager or supervisor, speak directly with the manager of the entire store.

Explain to him/her that the installers at facility have caused electronic issues with your car by improperly installing your stereo head unit, this has been documented by the Volkswagen dealer.

Explain that you are going to take the car to an audio specialist in order to have the head unit reinstalled correctly because you no longer have confidence in Best Buys abilities, let him know that you expect a full refund of the Best Buy installation charges as well as reimbursement for any repairs that might be required as a result of this.

Maintain documentation of everything.

[susankeb]

re aftermarket radio & Best Buy
had radio put in wrong at Best Buy last year
failed inspection in NJ because the computer couldn't be read
found this thread THANK YOU TOO COLD!!!!!!!
Went to another Best Buy (Manahawkin)
Got this awesome tech, Jack, who researched the problem fixed K wire issue free
Passed inspection.
Have a 2000 Passat original monsoon radio for sale

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

You are welcome, glad that you were able to get this matter resolved...

[VW BEATL]

Ok I've been hearing that when you put an after market radio into the New Beetle it doesn't pass smog. Well I just had my NB smogged and it passed with flying colors. I think if the guy who installs your after market radio knows what he is doing and stands behind his work like my guy at New Age Audio in Fullerton (ask for Milo), the NB will pass smog. If your guy writes "may not pass smog" on your radio installation receipt, obviously he doesn't stand behind his work and you need to take your NB elsewhere for an after market radio installation. I passed smog, I'm listening to my tunes on my Alpine driving my NB and life couldn't be sweeter! Just wanted to share the 411 on that dilemma. Take care of your New Beetle by taking it to a guy that knows what he is doing and stands behind his work. Good luck!



Let The Good Times Roll,

Rachel

VW BEATL

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

The radio has nothing to do with the actual smog test, in -California- there are a number of areas that makeup the smog test.

The one area that will cause you to fail a California smog test as a result of a non stock head unit having been installed incorrectly are, DTC's (fault codes).

Any engine DTC's will fail you before you get started.

[72SuperBeetle]

I too have heard that if you pop off the faceplate it can allow communication with the ecu. Not from personal experience, but from a tech friend.