Simple Aux Input with OEM Radio

[rykin]

Hello!

I'm new to owning a VW Beetle and I am looking into adding an Aux input of some kind. I don't really want to change the radio if I don't have to, and I'm not really wanting some fancy audio box in my glovebox. I simply want something I can plug my phone/ipod/whatever into using a 3.5mm jack.

This is my first car that didn't already have the aux input, so I'm a bit unsure of how the radio would work.

Would I be able to buy this plug from ebay, attach it to the back of the OEM tapedeck (it lacks CD although the option is on the controls) and will it work? Or MUST I purchase some $60+ just to have my preferred music playing?

VW 8 PIN 3.5MM AUX INPUT JACK ADAPTER CABLE MP3 iPOD - eBay (item 200522388323 end time Dec-20-10 17:26:54 PST)

Thanks!

[kcfoxie]

It may work. I've been trying to do this with my in dash since CD unit for a while, think I need to code it with vagcom to use the cable. Need to find that stupid cable, too, and get on that.

[marvins_dad]

If you have a 2005 and up there is a oem one you can get, otherwise, do a search for aux input and you will get a few suggestions.
NewBeetle.org Forums - Search Results

I can't see an image of the one that is in that ebay auction to confirm the connection. It bothers me that it says it fits many manufacturer's with 8 pin connection.

I have a Blitzsafe aux adapter from 2002 or 2003, didn't see my exact one on their website when I checked. There was a great aftermarket adapter that even allowed the CD changer to work when the aux adapter wasn't, but I can't think of what it was called to do a search on it. I bet in that search I posted that you would find someone talking about it though.

[rykin]

Thanks for the info. I don't really want to buy an expensive adapter as I can get a cheap radio with an Aux port for less than those. I'm simply looking to see if I can do anything with my stock, OEM radio because I don't want to have to bother replacing the entire unit if I don't need to (plus, I like how the stock unit matches the rest of the dash).

[Kenya_7]

Let me know how this works out, I want to find a way to hook my ipod up too.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Post coming... I have to find a picture of the plug that plugs into what is available on the back of your head unit. It appears it may plug into part of the male side.

Well I thought I could copy an put up a pic, or save and upload it but I can't. Go to this link, and then thumb thru the pics below the main one till you see the red, green and blue femaile plug. That is the plug that plugs into the port on the rear of your head unit. The only port.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...nger/ES337166/

MORAV

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by rykin

Hello!

I'm new to owning a VW Beetle and I am looking into adding an Aux input of some kind. I don't really want to change the radio if I don't have to, and I'm not really wanting some fancy audio box in my glovebox. I simply want something I can plug my phone/ipod/whatever into using a 3.5mm jack.

This is my first car that didn't already have the aux input, so I'm a bit unsure of how the radio would work.

Would I be able to buy this plug from ebay, attach it to the back of the OEM tapedeck (it lacks CD although the option is on the controls) and will it work? Or MUST I purchase some $60+ just to have my preferred music playing?

VW 8 PIN 3.5MM AUX INPUT JACK ADAPTER CABLE MP3 iPOD - eBay (item 200522388323 end time Dec-20-10 17:26:54 PST)

Thanks!

I am on the same boat, I have the monsoon tape deck without the sat. radio option. If you don't have the satellite radio option that cable will not work, the other option is to use the CD changer harness and use that to control your ipod from the HU but you would have pay around $160.
I just bought and installed an oem 6CD changer (the one that mounts in the center console storage space) and I don't want to loose that so I am considering replacing the HU for a newer Monsoon with sat radio capability so that I can keep my changer and use that as the aux for my ipod while keep the original look on the dashboard .

I am not willing to put in an aftermarket HU, but if you dont mind loosing your factory radio that is another option, a cheap but decent HU with a front aux jack such as this:

Pioneer DEH-2100IB Review | Car Audio Stereo and Video Reviews, GPS Navigation Deals

I seem to have the same HU that you have, so if you find a cheap way to do it do let me know please.

[Kenya_7]

Will a newer radio with the sat. radio option fit a 2003 or did 2003 beetles have a sat. radio option? I don't want an aftermarket radio either.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Kenya_7

Will a newer radio with the sat. radio option fit a 2003 or did 2003 beetles have a sat. radio option? I don't want an aftermarket radio either.

I know the head units are interchangeable, however, the CD/CD Changer/Sat/MP3 unit is a Monsoon with an external amplifier. It may require the addition of the amplifier if yours is not a Monsoon. The Monsoon unit also runs 10 speakers (at least in my '05). Also if you want the SAT feature, you have to add the SAT antenna, it's a dash mount, dead center of the top of the dash almost to the windshield.

I also believe their is a dealer installed (OEM kit) MP3 adapter for your unit that runs about $185.00 for the part. I can find links to several sources if your interested,l just have to find them in my unorganized system. P/m me as I may not follow this thread is it doesn't stay bumped up on the leader board.

I don't know, or want to know, **** about aftermarket, but I'm quite knowledgeable about OEM systems.

MORAV

[BUGSTUFF]

Hmm, an audiophile I'm not, but that plug might work as a basic input - you won't be able to charge your Ipod but it just might work in place of the CD. For the price, maybe just get it and try it out. If it doesn't work, send it back.

Here's some other options, although a bit pricier:
Volkswagen New Beetle iPod iPhone iPad AUX & USB Car Interface Adapters << EnfigCarStereo.com iPod XM and Sirius Satellite Radio & Auxiliary AUX Audio input specialists

If you get the eBay one, let us know how it works.

Good luck!!!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Sorry, I failed to put up the link, to the picture of the plug on the end of the remote changer harness, that plugs into the head unit. It is there now, in Post #6.

After looking at the plug on the eBay item and the plug on the changer harness, I believe the eBay plug will fit in the same part of the female plug on the head unit that the blue portion of the harness plugs into. They apear to be the same shape and configuration. However, just because they will plug in doesn't assure you they will work.

For ten bucks, the price of the special tools to pull the head unit, and a little bit of your time, it is certainly worth a try. If the plug will plug-in, I feel comfortable that you can do no damage to the head unit or your device in trying it.

Post up the outcome as I'm sure there are readers here who will want to know, esp. if it can be done for $10.

MORAV

[Mutato]

I just got an ipod over the weekend. Here is my question. I upgraded my head unit to a CD/mp3 Monsoon unit from a 06. I currently have a 20gb phatnoise hooked to the cd in line. Now when I switch to CD is will give me two options CD or AUX. Does that mean I could hook the I pod to a basic AUX input and still keep the Phatbox or would I have to disconnect the phatbox? I never really looked at the back of unit because I didn't have a Ipod at the time.

[charmingtrouble]

ooh please tell us if it works! I want to do the same for my 98 radio/tape unit, I can't use one of those cassette adapters because the tape player doesn't work

[charmingtrouble]

I ordered that cable from ebay on impulse I already have the radio removal keys so once I get the cable [probably on either monday or tuesday...maybe tomorrow if shipping from arizona to SoCal is that fast ] I'll see if it's a success

I also messaged the seller and they said that it should work by just plugging it in, but I may need to turn on the aux input anyone know how to do that on a 98 stock cassette/radio?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

"aux" button on the face of the radio, probably!

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by charmingtrouble

I ordered that cable from ebay on impulse I already have the radio removal keys so once I get the cable [probably on either monday or tuesday...maybe tomorrow if shipping from arizona to SoCal is that fast ] I'll see if it's a success

I also messaged the seller and they said that it should work by just plugging it in, but I may need to turn on the aux input anyone know how to do that on a 98 stock cassette/radio?

I could be wrong but I don't think our head units (I have the same one) didn't have an aux input. Let me know how it goes.
Good luck!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Okay, but if I've been following this, it's going to plug in where the 6cd remote changer would plug in so it may be that button. I can't imagine there is an aux switch located elsewhere on the head unit, i.e. the back.

MORAV

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Okay, but if I've been following this, it's going to plug in where the 6cd remote changer would plug in so it may be that button. I can't imagine there is an aux switch located elsewhere on the head unit, i.e. the back.

MORAV

Right, someone around the org had posted something about turning on an aux option via vag-com but this unit has no other button than tape, am/fm and CD for the changer. I am curious about using this plug for my iPod while still being able to keep and use my cd changer.

[charmingtrouble]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Okay, but if I've been following this, it's going to plug in where the 6cd remote changer would plug in so it may be that button. I can't imagine there is an aux switch located elsewhere on the head unit, i.e. the back.

MORAV

if this plug is replacing the cd changer plug, doesn't that mean the cd changer wont work because it's not plugged in anymore?

I hope it'll be the cd button, I've been searching all over the place for more info and some people have mentioned pressing the cd button in order to get it to play , maybe I'll just press buttons for a while and see what happens or else I'll just give my mechanic a call to see if they have a vag-com and see if that will do anything to get it working

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by charmingtrouble

if this plug is replacing the cd changer plug, doesn't that mean the cd changer wont work because it's not plugged in anymore?

I hope it'll be the cd button, I've been searching all over the place for more info and some people have mentioned pressing the cd button in order to get it to play , maybe I'll just press buttons for a while and see what happens or else I'll just give my mechanic a call to see if they have a vag-com and see if that will do anything to get it working

Yes, if you plug it where the changer goes then you'll loose that. That's what I am trying to figure out. The more I read the more I think there's no way to have both with this particular head unit.