Registration Issues Due to Radio

[HootieFan]

Hi,

I got a letter in the mail that my car needed to be smogged before I could register it this year. When I tried to have it smogged, the technician came back saying that the machine couldn't read the computer to complete the smog test. 3 tries later, I contacted VW and asked what the issue was. I was told that because we no longer had the stock radio, the computer that smog tests can't compute with the car because apparently some chip that is in the stock radio is needed to do the communicating.
So now I'm being told the only way to fix the issue is to have a stock radio put back in my car at the cost of close to 400 dollars. Needless to say, after upgrading my audio system, and spending this much to do so, the last thing I want to do is pay for a stock radio just to smog the car.
Has anyone else run into this same problem? And I'm wondering if just taking the radio out all together will resolve the problem.
Thanks in advance to anyone with information. This forum was instrumental in assisting me when I had transmission problems several months ago so I really take my hat off to those of you who helped back then.

Cheers

Kecia

[Crazy_MoFo]

WoW, never heard of that before. Have you tried a diff. smog place?

[maboleh]

Hi!

I have the exact same problem as you do. I just brought my car to the emissions tests and they failed to communicate with the comps on my car because my radio is not the original. I was told to bring my car to the dealer for them to fix the problem before I bring my car back for emissions testing! I have until april 2008 to solve this problem, so I haven't brought my car to the dealer for this. I am in MD, and I wonder if the testing station is just ill equipped to test VWs. The station officer said this is a very common problem among VWs that he sees. Can we get VWs dealers to administer a smog test since regular testing stations don't seem to be able to do the job? By the way why can't they just do a regular smog test with the old fashion smog detector and skip the comps on the car all together??

[Dogzilla]

The VW service manager was telling me about this last week. I think she said that VW has a program that can adapt the system so that it can allow the smog test. You really need to see a dealer/service.

As complicated as the electricals on these things are, I can't see not using the VW technicians for stuff like that.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

That's so ridiculas, it's funny! So many people trash the stock radio for aftermarket so either someones FOS, or the dealer has a way around it using the VAG tool. C'mon...how gullible can people get!

[HootieFan]

I have taken the car to 3 different places for smog. THEN I took it to the dealer. My local dealer here told me that the only way around it is to put a stock radio back in. What is the 'VAG TOOL?'
I am glad to see that someone else is having the same issue. But even the dealer here in California told me that I would need to put a stock radio back in. HEEEELP.

Thanks everyone

oh, and I am not glad that you are having a problem... I don't mean that to sound wrong... I wouldn't wish anyone else to be dealing with the same B.S as I am... It's just a relief to know that I am not the only one being fed this crap. This is such a shame because VW is really making my life hell. I even got a letter from VW saying that if I was unhappy to contact the Better Business Bureau. WTF????


And I did take the car to the dealer for the smog. They said there was no way around putting a stock radio back in to smog the car.... so.........

[Smileybug]

Well I have an aftermarket headunit and have had no problems with my car getting scanned for emissions. Now when I got the car, it had an aftermarket unit in it so I don't know if the PO had done things to fix the problem. But I installed the new one and have had no issues. Gotten it scanned twice for inspection. The dealer did my first one, since I bought it from them. And then had it done in NC at some hole in the wall place.

What year is your car? Maybe its something with the newer models?

[HootieFan]

2001

[maboleh]

Mine is a 2001 too. GLX 1.8T

I am planning to call the VW dealer here in MD soon and see what they have to say

[BUGSTUFF]

Read these:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/attachme...0&d=1127440337

and Post #14 here:

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...ghlight=k+wire

Hope this helps!!!

[HootieFan]

Bugstuff........ this is so valuable. Thanks so much. You just helped a bunch.

P.S. Key Lime? Yer dog? Cat? Great name. Great pie. Mmmmm

[HootieFan]

The proper installation of an aftermarket audio system will not stop one from passing smog, the "K" wire carries data and should be left completely disconnected when an aftermarket head unit is introduced, many of the harness kit companies and installers out there were or are not aware of this which can and has resulted in voltage entering the "K" wire, this can cause vehicle and vagcom damage.
______________________
Info provided by Bugstuff. Thanks

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by BUGSTUFF

Read these:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/attachme...0&d=1127440337

and Post #14 here:

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...ghlight=k+wire

Hope this helps!!!

OMG, Thanks!!!!!!
What a nightmare that would be....