New Stereo, Now OBD won’t work

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g tres

Member - Posts: 8

Joined: January 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: January 01, 2006 at 7:30 PM / IP Logged

If this is a re-post forgive me. I did search for any similar posts. And if this post is a re-post of my first attempt forgive me again. There were problems with the original post.

I bought a 98 Jetta for my son and had the factory HU replaced (Sony) since the factory unit was only a cassette which didn't work. Since the install the OBD won't work (discovered the day after the install). VW says there are can-bus wires that have to be connected in order to complete the circuit. I went back to the audio shop and had them show me their work. They didn't cut any wires and used a harness for the connections. I removed the center console and AC/Vent controls and looked for any disconnects. None were found. There are five wires on the back of the OBD plug. All were solidly connected. The only thing I did see was an ORANGE / white wire on the aftermarket harness coming from the end plugged in to the factory harness that was not connected. The wire that this wire plugs in to is either gray/blue or Lt. gray/Lt. blue. From what I've been able to find out this is a switched 12V+ lead. Obviously this wire was connected to the original HU. Could this be the source of my problem? Does this wire need to be connected? If so, to what? If not, any ideas on why the OBD doesn't function since the install? I'm sure I'm not the first person to change out the factory HU on a 98 Jetta.

As addtional information, the factory HU was made by Clarion (I think) with and 8 speaker set-up. Two tweeters in the dash and rear deck and two drivers in the doors and rear deck.

If any of you have any ideas or suggestions, I thank you in advance.

G Tres

lspker

Silver - Posts: 503

Joined: November 23, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: January 01, 2006 at 8:45 PM / IP Logged

Welcome to the world of VW. The OBD system is still functioning, however for the VW scan tool to function you need to have the factory deck operational. For so mysterious reason the scan tool will fry if the factory deck in not installed. Simple solution is when the veihical goes in for service remove the aftermarket deck and plug in the factory, after service simply plug the aftermarket deck back in. Be glad the shop was good enough to use a plug.

kirktcashalini

Silver - Posts: 492

Joined: November 13, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: January 02, 2006 at 12:18 PM / IP Logged

Wow, I was just reading through this, and sorry i dont have any helpul advice. but wow those vw engeneers must be very advanced in there thinkings... I know more about older style cars, and have a 99 chevy now, but since when did the obd system even have anything to do with a radio... Arent the only things a radio needs 12+, GND, and remote+, and obviously the wires leaving them to the speakers... not to mention antenna.. I dont know. Why i dont drive Vws.

99 Blazer LT. Yellow Top. Big 3. Infinity Kappa Speakers All Around. Jensen CD/DVD flip out. 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 12DVQs powered by a Alpine PDX600.1 (in one custom box, building a FG box)

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gus1

Gold - Posts: 1,013

Joined: October 15, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: January 02, 2006 at 1:03 PM / IP Logged

No.... the tool will not fry if there is no factory deck. It will fry if some installer failed to actually read the instructions with the VW harness and connected the power antenna lead. It is actually the "K" line, which is a diagnostic wire. Unhook the power antenna lead.... you do not need it on 96 and newer. Use the 40-VW53 antenna adaptor if you want AM radio (has proper connection for the power antenna lead to power up the active antenna base.) And yes... you can scan the car without the factory deck. My 2004, my 2001, and my 2000 had the factory deck for all of a day when I first got them. I have no problem ever scanning either of these cars.

Gus

PS: Why is there so much misinformation and speculation about VW stuff I have no idea.... they are no wierder than most of the crap North American automakers are putting on the road. In fact, they are a lot better built, and tend to hold their value far more often.

Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

g tres

Member - Posts: 8

Joined: January 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: January 02, 2006 at 4:12 PM / IP Logged

gus 1 - Thanks for your input.

What color is this wire? Looking at the color code (not the actual wires), I see a BROWN / white stripe wire for alarm sytem control module, but nothing for a power antenna wire, which this car doesn't have (the power antenna). And if I diconnect this wire, does it reconnect somewhere else, or just insulate it and leave it loose?

Also, if I don't have this wire, what would happen if I took the car in without a radio of any kind connected? Surely VW has run in to a situation before where the radio was out for repair, or stolen. Seems like they would have some recourse such as a jumper plug or something that would allow them to run the diagnostics.

I await your thoughts and thanks again.

G Tres

gus1

Gold - Posts: 1,013

Joined: October 15, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: January 02, 2006 at 9:21 PM / IP Logged

If your car has an antenna on the roof, it's powered.

If you look on the adaptor harness, you will see there is a blue or a blue/white on the same pin as the "Alm" BROWN / white wire on the factory harness. Don't connect it to anything. Same goes with anything labelled as "K-Lin" on the factory harness.

If there is a grey/blue on the factory plug, it is probably a dimming dash light wire, or illumination.

As far as scanning the car with a non factory radio in it? Not a problem... the only thing is when you call up the radio on the scan tool (you can... output tests, recoding, etc. can be done on it), it will have a code stating either "no communication" or "K-Line error" for just the radio (To get technical... it would show up under "Radio" in the main modules screen of the scanner. I have one... pretty neat tool if you happen to own a VW and never go to the stealership for anything other than the odd part) The only reason the dealership is leery of non factory radios is this K'line issue and having 12V applied to it by improper radio replacement. The VAS1550 or 1551 scan tool does not have K-Line protection on it (like the Vag-Com does), and can be damaged by voltage on the K-Line.

Basically.... the moral of this story is.... don't connect to anything other than 12V, switched 12V, and ground at the harness and you will be quite fine. If you actually listen to AM radio, consider purchasing an active antenna adaptor such as the Metra 40-VW53 to properly power up the active portion of the antenna base.

Gus

Uber Vw geek.......

Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

g tres

Member - Posts: 8

Joined: January 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: January 03, 2006 at 10:22 AM / IP Logged

gus 1

The antenna is fender mounted. As I recall in discussion with the installer when he was showing me his work, he did mention that the antenna adapter he used had a small amplifier built-in. The adapter they used has a siver tube aproximately 1/2" in diameter and 4" long. I'm almost positive he mentioned that they did use the power antenna lead to accomodate this adapter. I'll confirm this later today or tomorrow by pulling the HU and looking for the wires on the factory harness you mention. If this solves the problem, as it sounds like it will, I'll let you know.

Thanks again for your input and expertise.

G Tres

g tres

Member - Posts: 8

Joined: January 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: January 03, 2006 at 10:51 AM / IP Logged

gus 1,

The antenna is fender mounted. As I recall when I went back to the shop to have them show me their work, I'm sure the guy mentioned they did use the power antenna lead to accomodate the antenna adapter they used which had a small amplifier built-in, which was approximately 1/2" in diameter and 4" long. From what it sounds like, this is likely the problem. I'll pull the HU over the next couple of days and check for the wires you mention. I'll keep you posted with the results.

Thanks again for your input and expertise.

G Tres

g tres

Member - Posts: 8

Joined: January 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: January 03, 2006 at 10:58 AM / IP Logged

gus 1,

The double post was unintentional. There was a problem with the first one. Disregard one or the other.

G Tres

gus1

Gold - Posts: 1,013

Joined: October 15, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: January 03, 2006 at 2:35 PM / IP Logged

Fender mounted antenna isn't active. Only the ones on the roof. Just a plain ol' normal 40-VW10 adaptor (non active) is necessary then.

The BROWN / white is not necessary for anything.... same goes with the grey/blue (half the time the dimming circuit on most decks doesen't work that well anyways.

Gus

Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

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