2002 Jetta/GTI owners...

[SALvation]

I was reading over at the vwvortex forums about a problem with all 02 Jettas and GTIs with the Monsoon CD/Cassette stereo. The problem is that the radio doesn't sound as good as it should and that the left speakers are the problem. 2 wires behind the stereo were switched and once you switch them back your stereo should sound a ton better.

Well, I thought my stereo was fine but I tried putting a song on and switched the balance from right to left and the problem was there. The sound out of the left side was terrible.

To fix the problem it looks fairly easy. Now I am debating if I should do it myself or bring it to the dealer. From other experiences, it looks like some dealers are unwilling to help or don't understand what is wrong. There are a bunch of how-to's to do it yourself but I am wondering if anyone has already tried this. Is it a 5-minute fix that I can do? It looks as easy as switching two wires behind the unit. Any suggestions?

 

[aphex]

Lemme see if i can find any info for you.... Any idea if this problem extends to the passats??

 

[SALvation]

Not sure if it extends to the Passats or not. Easy test is to put a song with bass on and move the balance from right to left and see if you notice a difference in quality.

VW issued a TSB but the TSB explains the problem wrong. That is why I am considering doing the fix myself.

 

[SALvation]

Looking through the forums there it looks like all 2002s are effected.

 

[SALvation]

If you have the time, read this thread.

 

[aphex]

<< If you have the time, read this thread. >>



I just found that less than 30 seconds ago... hahah, i fergot Car Audio was under Tech...

 

[aphex]

You have the double din, right??

I got my passat about 2 weeks before the double din came out... My jetta had the single as well... hmmmmmmm

 

[jonnyGURU]

Before I go tearing my car apart....

How can this apply to all 2002 Jetta's and Golf's?

Does it just pertain to just the Bean Burners made down in Mexico or does it pertain to the German made ones as well?

PS: My Monsoon doesn't sound that great either... but I think it's because it sucks.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Good lord! How many pages is that thread?

VWVortex has gotten too popular. I hadn't been there in just over a year. Now the threads get longer than they do here at AT!

I couldn't find what I was looking for, but from what I see, the problem pertains to the following:

Mexican Jetta/Golf (mine is German)
Double DIN head units (I have two Monsoon DIN units, not one large one)

So I guess my Monsoon just sounds like ass.

 

[SALvation]

I have the double-din in my Jetta.

If you aren't sure if it pertains to you, just see if you have any bass out of the left speakers. I went and made an appointment with my dealer for next Friday. I am out of town until Wednesday so I figure if I can't figure it out by then, I'll just bring it in.

 

[vi edit]

<< So I guess my Monsoon just sounds like ass. >>



I agree. It's a $300 marketing hype. Kind of like $500 underbody treatments.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Yep. The GLS w/ Luxury Package comes w/ Monsoon so it's not like I insisted on having Monsoon. I could care less... especially after hearing how it doesn't sound any better than anything else.

I've got an extra Alpine amp and a Bazooka doesn't cost too much. I figure if I through a tube in the trunk and turn the treble up on the rest of the speakers, it'll sound a hell of a lot better.

It's a good thing that VW's all come with factory wiring harnesses in the back for the CD changer. That way I can get 12V, ground and a turn on lead in the trunk. I'll tap into the rear speakers for signal. I've found that line output converters have come A LONG WAY in the last 10 years.

 

[Triumph]

Wow, didn't know the MK4's came with double DIN nowadays. That's sweet. Anyway, I would say that if you feel you are somewhat competant with fixing things, and you know how to fix it, go ahead and do it. If you go into a service shop and try to tell people how to fix your car's problems, they tend to get insulted, like you're offending their knowledge somehow. Also, VW dealers tend to be incompotent anyway.

Sounds to me like it's just a little bit of cut and splicing. I say do it yourself.

 

[Stifko]

What is Double DIN?

 

[aphex]

<< What is Double DIN? >>



Double size head unit, as compared to a single size (Single DIN)