Dead Bug :(

[PaytonBug]

whooo hooo!! That is the kind of news I like to hear! I'm a getting a new aftermarket radio in about two weeks when I get back home! I can't wait!!!

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

You won't need to cut the K-wire or any other wire if you use a Scosche radio harness adapter and leave the wire on the Scosche harness that lines up with the K-wire disconnected.

If like me you hate using the key to activate your audio system and don't like using factory wiring to connect aftermarket items, you can avoid dealing with the K-wire by having the installer run a separate power cable to the battery and a separate ground cable to a tested point on the chasis, then use "only" the speaker portion of the Scosche harness to connect the new head unit to the factor speakers.

[PaytonBug]

What's a Scosche radio harness adapter?

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Scosche is one of two or three main companies that supply installation kits for installing aftermarket head units in cars, the harness I spoke of will plug directly into the factory harness and can be wire to the harness supplied with the aftermarket head unit.

The whole idea is to try and stop people from doing silly unwise things like "cutting" the factory harness and plugs...(www.scosche.com)

[PaytonBug]

so if I have someone install it, like at Best Buy or at a car audio place (searching for one in my area...gotta talk to some Pittsburgh people) will they do the scosche thing?

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Yes, providing they're not a complete hack shop, there is the harness kit but there is also a bezel kit that secures the factory like esthetics and mounting.

It's your choice but I would find a audio specialist to do the installation and stay away from those retail chain operations, one of those shops screwed up the factory alarm system on a friends '01 turbo Beetle during an install, with these retail chains your only asking for trouble.