Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

I asked sci.electronics.repair about this but didn't get very far.

I have a 98 Passat Estate with Gamma radio (Gamma on cassette flap) and Sony
CDX-T69 CD changer fitted in the boot. Problem is that although the CD
changer has power (magazine loads and ejects OK), the radio reports "No CD
chnager" when the CD button is pressed - except for this the radio appears
fine. I understand that there will be an adapter somewhere (AVGS003MK2). At
the radio end this is a blue connector that fills half the upper socket (of
three) - the CD end has a round connector and two phono-type connectors. All
look OK. I don't know whether the CD ever worked as the first thing I did
after buying the car was to replace the battery. So,

1. I had to recode the radio - is there anything else I need to do to get
the radio to recognise the CD changer?

2. Where is the adapter likely to be? I can't see it behind the radio or in
the boot.

3. Is the adapter just a means of changing conenctor type or is it an
electronic device which might have failed?

4. Are the phono connectors at the CD end just the audio signals? If so,
given the CD has power is it reasonable to assume it is faulty as this
connector would also supply any signals the radio uses to detect it?

Hope someone can help!

KotF

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

I have a 98 Passat Estate with Gamma radio (Gamma on cassette flap) and
Sony
CDX-T69 CD changer fitted in the boot. Problem is that although the CD
changer has power (magazine loads and ejects OK), the radio reports "No CD
chnager" when the CD button is pressed - except for this the radio appears
fine. I understand that there will be an adapter somewhere (AVGS003MK2).
At
the radio end this is a blue connector that fills half the upper socket
(of
three) - the CD end has a round connector and two phono-type connectors.
All
look OK. I don't know whether the CD ever worked as the first thing I did
after buying the car was to replace the battery. So,


Has the radio been removed? Perhaps the connections have become loose as a
result?
I'm assuming somewhere in line there will be an adapter, the end at which
it's at is most likely to be behind the radio hidden behind the dash if the
lead at the changer end is a round pinned type (using Sony lead as opposed
to VW lead)
I'd check the lead going from the back of the stereo, my guess is that at
the point where it converts from Sony round pin and phono's there'll be and
adapter, perhaps the connection is loose.

I used to have a similar set up but got rid as there were some functions of
the changer I could not use such as scan and repeat, the vw changer seems
less prone to jumping, but that's just my opinion.

Tony

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:48:52 -0000, "Kenny of the Fells"
wrote:

Hi,

I work for the company that produce the Connects2 series of adapters,
including the AVGS002. I'll try to help.

I have a 98 Passat Estate with Gamma radio (Gamma on cassette flap) and Sony
CDX-T69 CD changer fitted in the boot. Problem is that although the CD
changer has power (magazine loads and ejects OK), the radio reports "No CD
chnager" when the CD button is pressed - except for this the radio appears
fine. I understand that there will be an adapter somewhere (AVGS003MK2). At
the radio end this is a blue connector that fills half the upper socket (of
three) - the CD end has a round connector and two phono-type connectors. All
look OK. I don't know whether the CD ever worked as the first thing I did
after buying the car was to replace the battery. So,

1. I had to recode the radio - is there anything else I need to do to get
the radio to recognise the CD changer?

No. The head unit should talk to the changer straight away. (well as
son as you press the CDC button)


2. Where is the adapter likely to be? I can't see it behind the radio or in
the boot.

There are two options with VW's. Some are pre wired for a changer.
If you remove the radio and the blue connector has lots of different
coloured wires, then chances are the adapter is mounted at the front
and as our looms are approximatly 12-18 inches long you should be able
to find it. But be careful that the adapter (or wires to the changer
aren't caught up behind the dash).

If the blue connector wires go into one multicore cable, then it
sounds like the car is pre wired so the adapter should be at the rear.
All the ones we've seen are on the passenger side behind a flap.


3. Is the adapter just a means of changing conenctor type or is it an
electronic device which might have failed?

It's a fairly complicated piece of electronics, including a
microcontroller which translates the instructions from the head unit
into instructions used by the changer, as well as changing the audio
levels to match between the two. These things do on occasion fail, so
it could be that.


4. Are the phono connectors at the CD end just the audio signals? If so,
given the CD has power is it reasonable to assume it is faulty as this
connector would also supply any signals the radio uses to detect it?

The phonos are just for audio, all the power and communications are
passed through the black "Unilink" lead. The head unit will show disk,
track number and time whether the phono leads are connected or not.

Ok. You've got power to the changer, so there is some sort of adapter
fitted.

So, the fault lies in one of five places; the head unit, the loom from
the head unit to the adapter, the adapter, the unilink lead from the
adapter to the changer, or the changer.

You're getting power to the changer, but does it do a magscan when you
insert a magazine. ie does the changer load every disk one after the
other? This shows that the adapter is doing something (initialising
the changer) and communicating with it to a degree.

Try resetting the unit (remove power to the head unit then replace it,
entering your code as needed) this should reset the adapter and
changer.

If this doesn't work you'll need to dig the adapter out, get the
number off the side and ring up our helpdesk, they'll be able to check
software and hardware versions, ask you to try other things, track the
fault down and get you up and running.

Our website is www.connects2.com and the helpdesk is 01384 291130.
There's also a forum on the site which gets attention.

Of course, if it's not a Connects2 adapter, then there's not a lot we
can do.

Hope this helps

Stu.

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

Stu wrote:

Many thanks for your detailed reply - I have asked the same questions via
the connects2 website contacts form, so you don't have to reply twice!

There are two options with VW's. Some are pre wired for a changer.
If you remove the radio and the blue connector has lots of different
coloured wires, then chances are the adapter is mounted at the front
and as our looms are approximatly 12-18 inches long you should be able
to find it. But be careful that the adapter (or wires to the changer
aren't caught up behind the dash).

Yes - there are lots of different coloured wires. After looking again last
night I think I can see something at the side of the glove box - that would
be about right for the lengths you mention. I'll have to remove the glove
box to get at it.

You're getting power to the changer, but does it do a magscan when you
insert a magazine. ie does the changer load every disk one after the
other? This shows that the adapter is doing something (initialising
the changer) and communicating with it to a degree.

I haven't tried filling it with disks - only tried two disks, but I've never
heard it attempt to load one (at least it makes a quick whirring sound when
the magazine is inserted, then stops)

Try resetting the unit (remove power to the head unit then replace it,
entering your code as needed) this should reset the adapter and
changer.

Tried that already :-(

If this doesn't work you'll need to dig the adapter out, get the
number off the side and ring up our helpdesk, they'll be able to check
software and hardware versions, ask you to try other things, track the
fault down and get you up and running.

Our website is www.connects2.com and the helpdesk is 01384 291130.
There's also a forum on the site which gets attention.

Of course, if it's not a Connects2 adapter, then there's not a lot we
can do.

I'll try to get at the adapter and see what I find...

KotF

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

Hi Tony,
I replied to the original question, then noticed your reply...

I used to have a similar set up but got rid as there were some functions of
the changer I could not use such as scan and repeat, the vw changer seems
less prone to jumping, but that's just my opinion.

Dunno about the original changer, as I've not used a VW changer for
any length of time, but I tested both a Sony and the new Kenwood
adapter for a long weekend around Wales and had no problems with
jumping.

As for the scan repeat etc functions then all I can assume is you
didn't have a Connects2 adapter as ALL the functions of the original
changer are duplicated and work just like the original. Our premise
with the adapters is that the end user cannot tell whether it's an
original changer or a Sony / Kenwood changer attached via a Connects2
adapter.

Stu.

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

"Stu" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:48:52 -0000, "Kenny of the Fells"
wrote:

Hi,

I work for the company that produce the Connects2 series of adapters,
including the AVGS002. I'll try to help.

Interesting stuff snipped

I have been investigating having a Sony CDX-T69 fitted in my year 2000
Passat with a Gamma radio.

Halfords will fit it for £200 including the AVGS00MK2 adapter. First of all,
do people think this is a reasonable price, and if not are there any
recommendations of other suppliers I could try (I am in the Nottingham
area).

I inquired in the local car audio centre in Loughborough (Motor World) and
they said they had stopped stocking the adapters because they are
'notoriously unreliable' and recommended that I change the head unit as
well. Anybody have any comments?

This sort of appeals as I find it really irritating that I cannot get LW on
the VW Gamma radio, which means no Test Match Special on Radio 4 in the
summer! (Unless anyone knows better of course!). On the other hand, the
original headunit fits well with the 'look' of the dash.

ROB

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

Hi Rob,


I work for the company that produce the Connects2 series of adapters,
including the AVGS002. I'll try to help.

Interesting stuff snipped

I have been investigating having a Sony CDX-T69 fitted in my year 2000
Passat with a Gamma radio.

Halfords will fit it for £200 including the AVGS00MK2 adapter. First of all,
do people think this is a reasonable price, and if not are there any
recommendations of other suppliers I could try (I am in the Nottingham
area).

Dunno about the price, but it wouldn't hurt to shop around.


I inquired in the local car audio centre in Loughborough (Motor World) and
they said they had stopped stocking the adapters because they are
'notoriously unreliable' and recommended that I change the head unit as
well. Anybody have any comments?

Can't comment on the other makes of adapters, but ours are fairly well
tested and recommended (and fitted in some cases) by several car
manufacturers (BMW (Mini) , Daewoo, Fiat, Renault, Rover,
Seat and Toyota.) And more should be on the way.

Could it be that the shop you went to either does not stock CD
adapters, or thought they could sell you a head unit for more money.

We do get lots of feedback from customers and fitters and many people
won't fit anything but a Connects2 adapter. They have tried the
others, had problems, and won't touch them now.

This sort of appeals as I find it really irritating that I cannot get LW on
the VW Gamma radio, which means no Test Match Special on Radio 4 in the
summer! (Unless anyone knows better of course!). On the other hand, the
original headunit fits well with the 'look' of the dash.

There are several radios which have red and blue illumination that
looks ok in VW's. I'd have a good look around.

Stu.

Sony CD changer and VW Gamma radio
 

I have a Sony CD player that looks factory (blue dsplay and red buttons) It
looks OEM in my Passat dash and it's been an excellent buy. It has a remote
too and was just under 100 pounds (103 inc insured next day postage)

It's a Sony CDX-L420V and still rediably availiable

http://products.sony.co.uk/productde...p?id=3_34_3929

I bought mine from Hiwayhifi as it was the cheapest at the time! It's gone
up a little but it's still a good price!!

http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/produc...209&prod=19301

I don't work for them!! Just received good service and a good price!!

Michael
"Stu" wrote in message
...
Hi Rob,


I work for the company that produce the Connects2 series of adapters,
including the AVGS002. I'll try to help.

Interesting stuff snipped

I have been investigating having a Sony CDX-T69 fitted in my year 2000
Passat with a Gamma radio.

Halfords will fit it for £200 including the AVGS00MK2 adapter. First of
all,
do people think this is a reasonable price, and if not are there any
recommendations of other suppliers I could try (I am in the Nottingham
area).

Dunno about the price, but it wouldn't hurt to shop around.


I inquired in the local car audio centre in Loughborough (Motor World)
and
they said they had stopped stocking the adapters because they are
'notoriously unreliable' and recommended that I change the head unit as
well. Anybody have any comments?

Can't comment on the other makes of adapters, but ours are fairly well
tested and recommended (and fitted in some cases) by several car
manufacturers (BMW (Mini) , Daewoo, Fiat, Renault, Rover,
Seat and Toyota.) And more should be on the way.

Could it be that the shop you went to either does not stock CD
adapters, or thought they could sell you a head unit for more money.

We do get lots of feedback from customers and fitters and many people
won't fit anything but a Connects2 adapter. They have tried the
others, had problems, and won't touch them now.

This sort of appeals as I find it really irritating that I cannot get LW
on
the VW Gamma radio, which means no Test Match Special on Radio 4 in the
summer! (Unless anyone knows better of course!). On the other hand, the
original headunit fits well with the 'look' of the dash.

There are several radios which have red and blue illumination that
looks ok in VW's. I'd have a good look around.

Stu.