Replacing OEM HU - couple questions

[my99vdub]

Apologies for the umpteenth question about this . . .

I will be installing a replacement OEM head unit in Bluenote - FM button died

1st:

While the HU is out, is there some kind of signal booster that can be installed at the head unit to improve reception or is that something that feeds off the antenna base? Both AM and FM reception sux (even tho there's no FM right now, the button crapped out) If there is such a thing, what is the correct name of this and where can it be found - Radio Shack? Crutchfield?

Searching the ORG someone mentioned an "inline power antenna adapter" - would this help? I know that the NBs are notorious for poor AM reception, but even the FM is sketchy.


2nd:

Bentley says: "do not attempt to remove the radio without disarming the alarm"
what's disarming the alarm??

Does this mean disconnect the battery cables? POS, NEG - one or both?
If one, which one? POS?

Thanks - Beth

[sean_fabanich]

there are things you can put inline with the antennae lead behind the radio to stregthen your reception...however in most cases it helps you pic up more static filled stations then improving quality reception....and there isnt much room in the dash for it...

if you go with a good aftermarket radio...like pioneer, kenwood, or alpine...and get a good antennae adapter plug then you should instantly improve reception....one adapter will give you only fm thou...wwhile the other works for both fm and am....so becareful which one you get...both are available thru metra....check with crutchfield as to which does which...as long as you have good connections to power, ground and acc then you should have no extra interference.

i actually have a kenwood which has an hd radio....at times its a bit sketchy and slips in an out of hd reception...which is annoying...but when i get out of the mountains that never happens...


another option is buying a new antennae...one that can be set on the dash or adhered to the windshield. ive used these before and they seem to work fairly well...but id proably only go thru that trouble if the new radio doesnt help...

good luck

oh and as for the alarm question...i did no disarming on my 99....it may depend on the year thou

[my99vdub]

Thank you very much!

I have a '99 also - and have all ready got a new-to-me OEM HU and will have to live with swapping the old one out for the other *old* one (that new-to-me one I have all ready) . . . hope it works!

[my99vdub]

well, that removal got NO WHERE, gonna have to live with a broken radio since it is impossible for me to remove the 'broken' one - thanks for all the suggestions and stuff (except Sean who actually did give me something to try and work on/with, I just couldn't get the radio out of the dash) - can you tell I'm cranky? I'd like to know whose "S" list I'm on cuz if I'm on the list well, I won't waste my breath asking my 'friends' for help - you know who you are, thanks again for helping a friend in need - not like I was asking for money or a new car!

OK, I need to get away and cool down.

[sean_fabanich]

what was the issue with removal of the old radio?

do you not have the proper keys to remove...or did someone else prior to you owning the vehicle take out the radio...and when they replaced it...messed up the "latches"?

ive also seen where the oem radio did not want to pull out because the wire harnesses wouldnt slide out of the dash enough to access the rear of the radio...i had to leave the car in a heated garage over night...with it warming up and reaching up under the dash i was able to get enough play to get the radio out....however had the same issue when installing and aftermarket hu....fortunetly i installed two 8s....so i just cranked the bass and the vibrations help slide the harnesses back into the dash...haha

sorry bout your luck....explain your difficulties

[my99vdub]

years ago the dealer removed HU to replace the fuse on the back and I have not had to deal with any issues until now - I find it strange that the L key slot clicks but not the R key slot, I am afraid I will have to end up spending $ to have them check out their handiwork (the dealer) and of course that will have to wait until during the week.
Whatever or however it happened, it appears that the latches are messed up and I can't deal with it - I think the tools I have are correct, but am not 100% sure.
Just very frustrated, for certain.

Sean, none of my ranting was directed at you, I appreciate your offer of help, Thanks

[sean_fabanich]

haha....
whew...a huge load off my mind....jk

but anyways.

i know a guy that had the same issue. if you have a bentley manual....id assume they have instructions for taking off that whole assembly....the piece that goes around the central vents and climate control knobs. i believe someone on here had the same issue...and may have linked a site with the instructions or perhaps just pictures of doing the job. i dont think it was all that difficult looking...but it was probably a little time consuming....

ive also had that same issue happen with other vws....one thing that worked for me was trying to get the side that "stuck" first....and other times i got the side that would free up loose...and then would try to keep constant pressure on that side while i try to wiggle loose the other...

the way they lock back in is a bit odd...but i bet if you play with it enough...and keep your patience...you could get it.

again...good luck

[my99vdub]

so it's more getting the latch to release than brute force if I understand you correctly? I am not looking forward to removing the whole area around the radio, but I DO have a paper version of the Bentley to read up on this.
I might stop at one of the local dealers on my way out of town tomorrow and just have them give it a try (and tell 'em I can't pay them and see if that flies).

[The Cheat]

there's another trick you could try...

seeing as how the radio is broken already, you could bust the faceplate off, thereby gaining access to the 2 t-20 screws behind it. couple that with the 3 underneath the top middle piece (and i'm sure there's a couple elsewhere, it's been a while), you could remove the whole center dash as a whole. you could then remove the radio from the back that way.

i actually just saw this thread as i don't peruse car audio much, but i had to do it this way when the dealer buggered my latches up on jenna.

[my99vdub]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

there's another trick you could try...

seeing as how the radio is broken already, you could bust the faceplate off, does it just snap off? (in pieces I would guess, huh?) thereby gaining access to the 2 t-20 screws behind it.Do these 2 t-20's need to come out to remove the center air console - meaning are these 2 t-20s hooked onto the non removable part of the dash? I'm guessing not, that would make it too easy to get at the latches from behind. couple that with the 3 underneath the top middle piece (and i'm sure there's a couple elsewhere, it's been a while), you could remove the whole center dash as a whole. you could then remove the radio from the back that way. Does the heating and vent control unit need to come out/off too?

i actually just saw this thread as i don't peruse car audio much, but i had to do it this way when the dealer buggered my latches up on jenna.

J, want a job? I'm in Lime Rock tomorrow afternoon, not sure what the rest of my week is. PM rates if you're interested.

[The Cheat]

beth, i think i may be available thursday, i will check tonight and report tomorrow night. tuesday is out for sure, as is tomorrow, but the rest of the week, i have afternoons free.

[my99vdub]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

beth, i think i may be available thursday, i will check tonight and report tomorrow night. tuesday is out for sure, as is tomorrow, but the rest of the week, i have afternoons free.

I would appreciate it - how far is New Milford from you? just wonderin', my SIL has some questions about her NB - think she has Fridays but not certain, will have to check with her on that.

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by my99vdub

I would appreciate it - how far is New Milford from you? just wonderin', my SIL has some questions about her NB - think she has Fridays but not certain, will have to check with her on that.

new milfy is 20 minutes away, i'd love to check out your sister's nb as well.

i know what it's like to not have a lot of cash beth, i'll do you a solid if we can all get up on friday and if you buy me a 6er or a pack of smokes, i'll get that radio out and the new one in for ya.

[my99vdub]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

new milfy is 20 minutes away, i'd love to check out your sister's nb as well.

i know what it's like to not have a lot of cash beth, i'll do you a solid if we can all get up on friday and if you buy me a 6er or a pack of smokes, i'll get that radio out and the new one in for ya.

Thank you for the offer, good karma will be returned to you for your good deeds.
Just sent SIL an email about Friday afternoon, will let you know - do you want/need my cell #?

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by my99vdub

Thank you for the offer, good karma will be returned to you for your good deeds.
Just sent SIL an email about Friday afternoon, will let you know - do you want/need my cell #?

i still have it.

[my99vdub]

Bueller?

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by my99vdub

Bueller?

sent you a vm, the phone was off, i got stuck at work.

sunday afternoon ok?

if you need an oil change, bring stuffs, i'll do that on the house.

[my99vdub]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

sent you a vm, the phone was off, i got stuck at work.

phone is charging, I figured work was the culprit on eating your time - NP

sunday afternoon ok? Sundays aren't good days generally - plus, I'm going to check with my SIL and see if she has anything on her wish list/need-to-do list for her NB and we can see if we can try again to co-ordinate schedules when I have heard from her - is that OK?

if you need an oil change, bring stuffs, i'll do that on the house.

[my99vdub]

TYVM to Justin and Pete - Bluenote has a complete and fully functional radio!
(and I don't think Blue hates J anymore, he co-operated with him today )

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by my99vdub

TYVM to Justin and Pete - Bluenote has a complete and fully functional radio!
(and I don't think Blue hates J anymore, he co-operated with him today )

hey, glad to help (and that i didn't have to rip out the dash!). of course, if i had that exhaust, i wouldn't even care about the radio...