Aftermarket Audio question

[procupine14]

Alright, so the factory Monsoon stereo in my Beetle is fun and all but:

1.It wasn't the model that came with a CD player.
2.Tape deck is broken.
3.Haven't found an OEM head unit with a CD player/ability to hook up mp3 player to that doesn't cost me an are and leg.

So, aftermarket here we come I guess! My question, do you lose the functionality of the stock radio ex. being able to turn it off and back on once the car is off? I sort of like that functionality now and I would be a little put off to lose it.

thanks guys

[Smileybug]

I honestly haven't tried to turn on my radio when the car is off so I'm not sure. I do know I can get CDs out of it when its off though. I have a Sony Xplode head unit and I love it! Its got blue and red lighting that match the interior lighting perfectly too

[procupine14]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

I honestly haven't tried to turn on my radio when the car is off so I'm not sure. I do know I can get CDs out of it when its off though. I have a Sony Xplode head unit and I love it! Its got blue and red lighting that match the interior lighting perfectly too

Well, that probably answers my question. My hope would be that if it is to be able to be powered on that it won't stay on and kill the battery. But if it will come on and off with the key off that would be amazing! That's what I'm looking for too, a unit that will match the red and blue!

thanks a lot!

[Toad]

If you wire ana aftermarket radio correctly, it will turn on and off by the key, but won.t turn on with the key out. But if you wanted that to happen, you could wire up a switch to the switched 12v+ lead on the back of the radio to make it do that.

[procupine14]

Originally Posted by Toad

If you wire ana aftermarket radio correctly, it will turn on and off by the key, but won.t turn on with the key out. But if you wanted that to happen, you could wire up a switch to the switched 12v+ lead on the back of the radio to make it do that.

Hey thanks a lot! That might be the direction that I go then. I just would like to have a way to do that when I am waiting on some one in a parking lot/driveway. I love to listen to the radio with the key off in that scenario (you know the whole "saving fuel by not idling for 30 minutes" scenario) so I might just have to wire up a switch. I could probably just wire up a little blue push button switch and mount it in the adapter plate for the radio for a very stock looking setup.

[Toad]

Well, if you turn the car off but leave they key in, the radio will stay on untill you take they key out

[procupine14]

Ah....well that seems much easier. I didn't realize that. Of course, I also haven't ever left the key in long enough to find out either.

[ngroh1441]

Or you could just turn the key twice, so all the power comes on, your radio would come on then. There is no need to start the car to have the radio come on, just turn your key like two positions. I do it all the time to listen to my aftermarket radio. BTW there is a link on ebay to get the mounting kit, wiring harnesses, and antenna adapter for 20 bucks, shipping is included there. I couldnt find one in stores, including best buy. And when intalling, there is a plastic piece in the back that is sticking strait up and down, just pop out the plastic rivets and wiggle it till it breaks off. Otherwise your new stereo may not fit. You do not have to take your dash or anything apart to do that, like some people in other threads suggest, Just trying to save you some time. Good Luck

[procupine14]

Originally Posted by ngroh1441

Or you could just turn the key twice, so all the power comes on, your radio would come on then. There is no need to start the car to have the radio come on, just turn your key like two positions. I do it all the time to listen to my aftermarket radio. BTW there is a link on ebay to get the mounting kit, wiring harnesses, and antenna adapter for 20 bucks, shipping is included there. I couldnt find one in stores, including best buy. And when intalling, there is a plastic piece in the back that is sticking strait up and down, just pop out the plastic rivets and wiggle it till it breaks off. Otherwise your new stereo may not fit. You do not have to take your dash or anything apart to do that, like some people in other threads suggest, Just trying to save you some time. Good Luck

Thanks for all the advise! I got all of my mounting hardware from the store that I bought my HU from for free. They are local and I have purchased a lot of stuff through them. I also got the amplified antenna adapter etc from them so everything should come in a nice, little box.

Only one thing, suggestions for taking out the stock radio? What tools should I use to pull the stereo? I know that there are two horizontal slots at the bottom of the radio but is there something that I can use to push in there easily? I don't think that my dash install kit is coming with a tool but I could be wrong. I am picking up the kit tomorrow since the HU I wanted wasn't in stock when I paid them a visist. By the way, anyone in the KC area that wants quality car audio done I HIGHLY RECCOMEND Independence Audio. They run about the same price as Best Buy but they will haggle a little with you especially if you are buying a lot of kit.

[Toad]

The easiest way to get the radio out isask them to pull it out with their keys when you go to pick up the radio.

[procupine14]

Ok thanks. I will ask about it when I go. I'm sure that they won't mind.

[ngroh1441]

Originally Posted by Toad

The easiest way to get the radio out isask them to pull it out with their keys when you go to pick up the radio.

I bought a set of keys from walmart for 2 bucks, put them in, then pulled it out from the tape deck. took 30 seconds