Stereo just quit working this morning???

[bigsexyTDI]

So I was filling up this AM, and I had left the key in the ignition so I could listen to Bob and Tom whilst I was pumping. After I got finished, I had to go inside and pay so I reached inside the open passenger window and pulled the keys out of the ignition.

Upon returning to the car, and starting it, I noticed that the stereo (aftermarket Panasonic, not OEM) didn't power on. Odd, I thought, so I hit the power button...nothing. I had to get on to work, so I haven't had a chance to play around with it any more.

Any ideas? Did it do some kind of immo thing since I pulled it out thru the window with out the doors open? That seems weird, but I have seen weirder on these cars.

[boogety boogety]

I'm waiting for some free time (!) on a pretty day (!!) so I can figure out why my OEM radio is DOA. Display doesn't work, won't turn on, but my aftermarket Parrot Bluetooth still feeds phone calls through the speakers as usual (!!!). See my thread in New Beetle Convertibles from last week...

All radios (ooops, an absolute... let me rephrase that... MOST radios) have a blade fuse on the back of the head unit, so if your normal fuse hunt in the car doesn't bring joy, don't forget to pull the head and check the back of the radio.

And if you find it's something else, tell us so I can try that too...

[bigsexyTDI]

Update, radio now works and door chime now bings again!
I pulled the telescoping wheel out towards me rather forcefully, and bam everything powered up...

Now I just need to see where it was shorting out, and I am golden.

I doubt that's what's wrong with yours boogity, but you never know with these little cars.

[dnyed]

Did you install it yourself, or have some retailer do it?

I had Circuit City install my new Sony, and I left there with no turn signals. And, the radio would not retain my presets. Every time I turned the car on, it was like I had a brand new radio, meaning I had to search for my stations, and such. But, the no-blinker thing really got my goat.

I went in the very next morning, and made them fix it. The "new" guy said that a wire got pinched, and he set up my stereo for retention, as the first guy didn't.


You said you forcefully pulled the telescoping wheel, it sounded kinda like MY problem: that something might be pinched or something. And, just for the record, I am no techie.


Good luck to you.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by bigsexyTDI

Update, radio now works and door chime now bings again!
I pulled the telescoping wheel out towards me rather forcefully, and bam everything powered up...

Now I just need to see where it was shorting out, and I am golden.

I doubt that's what's wrong with yours boogity, but you never know with these little cars.

Dude, that sounds like the ignition switch is about to go. I believe there are posts on that. It is a DIY, if you have the skill. I know Deserion has done it. I'm going to look for the thread.

[GatorBeetle]

Looks like the how-to was on the old forum...dang it. I'll see what else I can find.

[bigsexyTDI]

Thanks Rob.

I have the skill. Let me know what you find out.

[GatorBeetle]

unfortunately, I couldn't find anything...I sent a PM to Des, I know he has done this before.

[from Margaritaville...]

Here's Toad's thread with Des's input. Hope this helps...



http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8662

[GatorBeetle]

I tried to find that thread...Thanks!

[from Margaritaville...]

I'm probably talking from behind my hat on this but if the radio problem is the only electrical issue, then I don't believe that the ignition switch is the cause. Each position on the switch operates many functions. I believe the cause is more isolated to the audio system itself...

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by from Margaritaville...

I'm probably talking from behind my hat on this but if the radio problem is the only electrical issue, then I don't believe that the ignition switch is the cause. Each position on the switch operates many functions. I believe the cause is more isolated to the audio system itself...

As the issue happened when the key was removed from the ignition,probably from a wierd angle from what was described,and the issue resolved when the telescoping wheel was jarred I'm more inclined to believe it is a switch issue. The door chime also returned which definitely leads to an electrical SNAFU.

[GatorBeetle]

The pulling of the wheel fixing it makes me think the same, but Alan has a point. I hadn't read the thread will all the symptoms in quite awhile...I forgot how many things the issue I suggested causes.