new member fresh issues

[gb3zt]

Hello all. So, I bought a 2k gls from a family member. 80k and other than being sticky and funky inside, in good condition. After reading up on this forum I find that there are issues with the sunroof drains and vw vinyl. both of which I am contending with. Now, I decided to upgrade the stereo. My Haynes manual says the oem deck is part of the diagnostics, are there any issues here? Also there is a thread about not hooking up one of the wires to the harness to keep from frying a diagnostic tool. New deck to be an older Alpine cda-9856. I am in the deep south US and a minor do-it-yourselfer. Any help on this would be great, and, Hello!

[IndyTom]

Welcome to the ORG

Newbie Welcome Kit!

To remove that OEM deck you will need a set of Radio removal keys. Otherwise it might be pretty difficult to get it out.
Not sure about the Hook ups since mine already came with an Alpine Stereo installed. Everything works fine and I have no trouble with the Diagnostics Port. I have a Scangauge II plugged into it and it reads and clears codes just fine.

Do you know if the previous owner did the Timing Belt service on the car yet? If not you may want to make that your first priority.

Also do you have a 5 Speed or an Automatic. If it's an Automatic I would have that fluid changed ASAP because those old automatics have a very high failure rate and the fluid is a big part of the problem. VW deemed it to be a lifetime fill but everyone that changed the fluid said it was like Mud and definitely in need of change. Nothing lasts forever.

Anway, Welcome to the Org and I hope you will get some answers regarding your Stereo questions.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Welcome to the ORG



To remove that OEM deck you will need a set of Radio removal keys. Otherwise it might be pretty difficult to get it out.
Not sure about the Hook ups since mine already came with an Alpine Stereo installed. Everything works fine and I have no trouble with the Diagnostics Port. I have a Scangauge II plugged into it and it reads and clears codes just fine.

Do you know if the previous owner did the Timing Belt service on the car yet? If not you may want to make that your first priority.

Also do you have a 5 Speed or an Automatic. If it's an Automatic I would have that fluid changed ASAP because those old automatics have a very high failure rate and the fluid is a big part of the problem. VW deemed it to be a lifetime fill but everyone that changed the fluid said it was like Mud and definitely in need of change. Nothing lasts forever.

Anway, Welcome to the Org and I hope you will get some answers regarding your Stereo questions.

Welcome to the org

I echo my good buddy Tom's recommendations. Make sure the aforementioned have been done. No sense in hooking up a new stereo if you beetle becomes toast

If you're not far from a Best Buy, i'd stop there and get an install kit. It will have a harness to hook up directly to the OEM stereo plug. If your BB tech is as good as the one here in Jacksonville, they'll tell you which one NOT to hook up, as they did for me here in Jacksonville, FL

BTW, where in the Deep South do you live? There might be one of us beetle people not too far from you. We always love coming over to help a fellow bugophile out. I recommend filling our your user profile info. You'll find it a big aid in helping you in your new beetle experience.