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Golf 2001, radio/CD sound in MONO instead of stereo

Hi

I own a 2001 Golf (built in Germany). Eversince I bought the car (in

2000) the radio/CD player is giving problem.

I would be driving around and suddently the sound would "seem" to increase a little, once. Either listening to a radio station or a CD. I was able to get the Radio replaced and the CD player replaced (the CD player lighting was flickering, but the replacement CD player is flickering too...)

The replacement radio did not solved the sound problem. It is only about one year ago that I realized what the symptom really was...

The sound is in MONO... and when it would suddently turn to STEREO I would notice the BIG difference. What I was noticing was not an increase in sound level but a change in sound effect.

Now, the radio is ALWAYS in mono. Either listening to a radio station or a CD. But since the problem was there with the original radio and the replacement one, is there anything in the car wiring that could cause this effect?

I don't know how is the VW service anywhere else, but in Canada dealers are a pain to deal with and Volkswagen Canada doesn`t want to help either. I used to own older VW that I always fixed by myself.

Any idea anyone?

Thanks!

Martin Boulerice Quebec, Canada

Reply to
Martin Boulerice
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Martin,

Did you check the archives in

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? Someone there might have had a similar problem... I have a VW GTI and fortunately haven't had that particular problem.

Reply to
Gary

Martin,

Did you check the archives in

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? Someone there might have had a similar problem... I have a VW GTI and fortunately haven't had that particular problem.

Reply to
Gary

Jim B.

Reply to
jimbehning
.

That is in all a4 platforms (99.5 onward). There is a amplifier in the base of the antenna. It gets it's power from the center lead of the antenna cable. There's 12Volts on it and the ground is supplied the shield. I have a vag-com and there's not only a test for the antenna but also all the speakers.

Joe R.

Reply to
Joe R

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the tip. But my problem is affecting both, the radio and the CD player. The problem is not in the radio receiver section, this is the only thing that I know.

But thanks again :-)

Martin

snipped-for-privacy@doesthisblockporkm>The radio in my 03 has a test for antenna signal strength. If you

Reply to
Martin Boulerice

Jim B.

Reply to
jimbehning

I don't know what the 2001 Gold sound system looks like. I gather there is a separate cd player and tuner. Which one has the amplifier? I would pull out both and check the wiring between them for shorts between the left and right audio signal. Most likely place for a short is right at the connectors. Do you know what type of connectors are used?

Reply to
Randolph

Hi Gary,

I didn't knew about vwvortex.com, so thanks. But I didn`t found anything about my particular problem, yet.

I think that I will start shopping for a replacement radio. It is sad because I liked the stock radio, the layout out is well designed and the sound is good.... when it is in stereo!

Have a good day

Martin Québec, Canada

Gary wrote:

Reply to
Martin Boulerice

You are correct, The CD player is a separate unit and is dealer installed. The power amplifier is definitively inside the radio unit.

I didn`t remove them yet but will do it soon. First I need to figure out what I kind of tool I need (there is a slot on each side of the radio). I could even burn a CD with separate left/right audio to verify what I am saying.

It really feel like it is mono, the stereo effective is missing. It can stay in that mode (mono) for hours. If the stereo kicks in it seems to stay that way until I turn the switch off.

I may be wrong, but I think that the radio is linked to the diagnostic computer, in other word there is a lot of digital stuff inside the radio unit. Maybe everything is routed through digital multiplexer. But since the radio and CD have been replaced and I still have the problem, that could really be a car wiring problem (I am crossing my finger)

Martin

Randolph wrote:

Reply to
Martin Boulerice

If those slots are horizontal you can find your tool at

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Becker / Harman-Kardon also use the same tool.Metra makes the tool as their part number ERT-723.

Reply to
Randolph

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