Key fob doesn't work after stereo install -- Help!

[ttraina]

This weekend I replaced the factory non-monsoon head unit in my 2000 GLX with an aftermarket one. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the tips needed to overcome the big, big, big obstacles in removing the old head unit and getting the new one to fit.

The problem I have now is that my key fob doesn't work, so I can't lock the car or arm the alarm.

Do I need to reprogram the key fob because of having the battery disconnected?

Did I mess something up with the wiring and now have to open up the dash for the 4th time?

One thing I noticed this morning is that when I turn off the car and open the door, a chime sounds continuously as though it thinks I've left my lights on or something.

In the struggle to remove the old head unit, the wires got stretched on the wiring harness and one of them actually split, exposing the copper wire, and a breaking some of the strands. In looking at the wiring diagram on the factory radio, that damaged wire was for the alarm. I assumed that was ok because that wire wasn't used on the mating wiring harness for the new head unit.

Sorry for the long post. Can anyone suggest what is likely causing the key fob to not work?

Thanks!

Todd

[pm22071985]

Originally Posted by ttraina

The problem I have now is that my key fob doesn't work, so I can't lock the car or arm the alarm.

Hmmm, so when you press the hatch-pop does that work?

After I installed one of my aftermarket CD players the "beep" sound went away. But it still locked/unlocked/popped the hatch. 1 day later I realized i didn't shut the hood all the way and that was keeping it from beeping.

Originally Posted by ttraina

Do I need to reprogram the key fob because of having the battery disconnected?

Normally you can disconnect the battery and the key should work without reprogramming. But its not a hard thing to due, there is a "how-to" on the org.

Originally Posted by ttraina

In the struggle to remove the old head unit, the wires got stretched on the wiring harness and one of them actually split, exposing the copper wire, and a breaking some of the strands. In looking at the wiring diagram on the factory radio, that damaged wire was for the alarm. I assumed that was ok because that wire wasn't used on the mating wiring harness for the new head unit.

My concern is that with the exposed copper wires and splitting of the strands your ecu is reading this as an open circuit and won't allow your key fob to lock.
Not sure how confident you are in your wiring job when you installed the radio, but unfortunetly it seems very plausible that incorrect connections were made and you'll probable have to pull the radio again and re-trace your wires.

Sorry, good luck

[Duffy]

You may have the infamous k line issue with aftermarket radios. Unplug the radio and see if all works normal. Do a search on 'k line' or 'radio' for more help.

[ttraina]

PM / Tom,

Thanks for the suggestions.

The key fob won't open the hatch either. I opened and closed the hood yesterday and the chime sound stopped. It's back today however. And I noticed that when I turn the car off and remove the keys from the ignition, the interior light doesn't come on like it used to.

I'll take the radio out this weekend and see if the problem goes away, then fix the exposed wires and follow the instructions regarding the K-wire.

The K-wire issue sounds like something that wouldn't affect anything unless I need to get my car scanned at the dealership, so I don't know if it's responsible. You never know though, plus it is a good idea to remove the lead on the wiring harness for this wire anyway. I'll double check my wiring while I have he radio out.

I'm running the new head unit without an amp and I notice there is less base than with the factory unit, even though I'm using the same speakers. Other people on the forum have advised that a new unit won't have as much base. I wonder why that is. I'm sure if I get new speakers and/or an amp it would fix that, but it's not in the budget right now.

Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.

Todd

[ttraina]

PM / Tom,

Everything is working fine now!

I removed the radio and the key fob worked again. I then taped the damaged alarm wire and cut and taped the K-wire. After plugging the radio back in the key fob still worked, so now I'm good.

Thanks for the help. It really saved me a lot of grief and the expense of having a stereo installer or the dealership to look at it.

Todd

[Duffy]

Your welcome.

This is what this forum is all about, helping other New Beetle owners.