OEM radio dead buttons & cd changer compatibility

[arbiter]

Ok, I have a couple of questions.

I have the stock OEM head unit with tape deck, and the 6 disc trunk changer.

First, has anyone documented a problem with the buttons on the OEM head unit breaking? I have a 98 NB, and the buttons on the left side of the head unit have quit working. First it was the Treb/Bass control, now it's also the Fade/Pan ones. The volume still works fine. They kind of feel like they don't click anymore. They don't pop back up when pushed, and they don't do anything even if you press them in and jiggle them, or tap hard or whatnot.

I guess I'm wondering if there is a way to fix this, or if I should be expecting the rest of the unit to fail in the near future.

Wost case scenario, if the head unit needs replaced, is it possible to get an aftermarket unit that will work with the OEM changer?
If I have to replace it, I'd just like to throw in something basic maybe with MP3 capability or an 3.5mm aux input. I definetly don't want to put a bunch of cash into the stereo on a car this old.

[larryziegler]

I had this exact same problem, just that it involved the fm button. There are small plastic pins that are likely broken behind the buttons. They all fell out when I took the front face apart. I replaced my head unit with another factory one (brand new in plastic) that I luckily found on eBay for $95. There are no fixes to the unit and the most cost effective method in dealing with it, is to replace it. www.1stvwparts.com also had the units at a reasonable cost, so try them, if you want to stay with the factory setup. I also have the cd changer in the trunk, which is why I stayed with a factory setup.

[Ivy]

Originally Posted by arbiter

Ok, I have a couple of questions.

I have the stock OEM head unit with tape deck, and the 6 disc trunk changer.

First, has anyone documented a problem with the buttons on the OEM head unit breaking? I have a 98 NB, and the buttons on the left side of the head unit have quit working. First it was the Treb/Bass control, now it's also the Fade/Pan ones. The volume still works fine. They kind of feel like they don't click anymore. They don't pop back up when pushed, and they don't do anything even if you press them in and jiggle them, or tap hard or whatnot.

I guess I'm wondering if there is a way to fix this, or if I should be expecting the rest of the unit to fail in the near future.

Wost case scenario, if the head unit needs replaced, is it possible to get an aftermarket unit that will work with the OEM changer?
If I have to replace it, I'd just like to throw in something basic maybe with MP3 capability or an 3.5mm aux input. I definetly don't want to put a bunch of cash into the stereo on a car this old.

I have the EXACT same problem - same stereo only mine is a '99, and the same 6cd changer but it's my cd/am/tape buttons that don't work anymore. Is there a way around them to play the cd's in the cd changer?

I just posted a thread under a diff category earlier today because I had forgotten about this one!!! silly me.

[larryziegler]

Originally Posted by Ivy

I have the EXACT same problem - same stereo only mine is a '99, and the same 6cd changer but it's my cd/am/tape buttons that don't work anymore. Is there a way around them to play the cd's in the cd changer?

NO!