I've got a '98 6n with the original cassette/radio. I want to swap in a cheap(ish) bluetooth-capable radio. Is there anything in particular I need to look for - any 'standard' fitting type/connector that it should have? I just want to do a straight swap if possible, without any (or much!) modding.

make sure the new unit has iso connectors and it'll pretty much plug and play. you sometimes have to swap the yellow and red wires around, but that is about it. The red wire and yellow are power and memory power. vw for some reason had the power and memory pins switched to what everyone else use!

Great - thanks. Actually, forget bluetooth - too expensive! Probably just get a cheapo from Argos.. :)

Argos?

Nah one online, or a second hand one here. You can get a fair chunk of decent radio for not a lot of money.

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product_l...rt_dir=asc&

One with a USB port - for memory pens was the best thing I've bought. And remember, you can always swap it between cars..

Interesting site - thanks.

make sure the new unit has iso connectors and it'll pretty much plug and play. you sometimes have to swap the yellow and red wires around, but that is about it. The red wire and yellow are power and memory power. vw for some reason had the power and memory pins switched to what everyone else use!

Might be a daft question... How do I know if the yellow & red need swapping? I've just plugged the new radio in & it works (need to find a way to attach the aerial though as it looks like 2 female connectors)

If the radio does'nt remember the stored frequencies/stations, then you need to swap the red & yellow around, as for the aerial you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC5-52-VW-Audi-S...=item4cf9d5b261 and connect the wire to the blue wire from the new radio (electric aerial power) this is to power the amplifier in the base of the aerial

If the radio does'nt remember the stored frequencies/stations, then you need to swap the red & yellow around, as for the aerial you need one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC5-52-VW-Audi-S...=item4cf9d5b261 and connect the wire to the blue wire from the new radio (electric aerial power) this is to power the amplifier in the base of the aerial

Ok. The station wasn't stored, so I'll swap the red & yellow. Do you mean the blue wire that goes _into_ the new radio?

On the new radio there should be a blue wire comming out and labeled as "power aerial/ant" or something like that and that needs to be connected to the wire shown in that ebay link so that the amplifier in the base will be powered

On the new radio there should be a blue wire comming out and labeled as "power aerial/ant" or something like that and that needs to be connected to the wire shown in that ebay link so that the amplifier in the base will be powered

No, there's nothing coming out of the back of the new radio. There isn't in the old one either. It's a cheapie ('Tevion'). The wiring diagram in the new radio manual indicates the orange wire should "Connect to Power Antenna or Remote Control for Amplifier" - would that mean pulling it out of the loom and connecting it to the wire off that adapter?

On the new radio there should be a blue wire comming out and labeled as "power aerial/ant" or something like that and that needs to be connected to the wire shown in that ebay link so that the amplifier in the base will be powered

No, there's nothing coming out of the back of the new radio. There isn't in the old one either. It's a cheapie ('Tevion'). The wiring diagram in the new radio manual indicates the orange wire should "Connect to Power Antenna or Remote Control for Amplifier" - would that mean pulling it out of the loom and connecting it to the wire off that adapter?

Ok normally it's a blue wire from the radio, but if your diagrams show it as orange then that's the one you'll need to connect to that aerial adapter

On the new radio there should be a blue wire comming out and labeled as "power aerial/ant" or something like that and that needs to be connected to the wire shown in that ebay link so that the amplifier in the base will be powered

No, there's nothing coming out of the back of the new radio. There isn't in the old one either. It's a cheapie ('Tevion'). The wiring diagram in the new radio manual indicates the orange wire should "Connect to Power Antenna or Remote Control for Amplifier" - would that mean pulling it out of the loom and connecting it to the wire off that adapter?

Ok normally it's a blue wire from the radio, but if your diagrams show it as orange then that's the one you'll need to connect to that aerial adapter

If the ariel was just connected on its own before, what would happen if I didn't use that wire with the new radio? It's just that it's £15 more for the powered one than just am extender to plug in the ariel at Halfords!

If the ariel was just connected on its own before, what would happen if I didn't use that wire with the new radio? It's just that it's £15 more for the powered one than just am extender to plug in the ariel at Halfords!

it will still work (didn't use one for about a year) but without one the signal won't be as strong so you will lose reception easier and the radio sound quality won't be as good.

ebay is the best place to buy one as halfords will rip you off.

Edited 22 March, 201313 yr by polo45

OK. Thanks for the info guys. Got a cheapie adapter & it works, but I can always get a proper one later if need be (I'm away from Monday, so eBay won't work at the moment). Just figuring out how to fix the back of the radio so it won't come out (the cage is f*cked). Not much room back there - not sure what I can tie/screw/bolt it to. Might end up getting the Araldite out..

The original stereo for that car was a Sony, I have one from a one-granny owned 6n that was never used. Not a bad thing in its time but no AUX makes it pretty poor for today.