2002 Passat--What's the best option?

[catpodder]

I have the 2002 Passat with the monsoon sound system. I have the cassette player/single CD in the head unit (not a stereo expert). I know the Passat's have the CD-changer connection in the trunk. My question is this - if you buy the adapter to connect to that, do you have to do anything in the back of the stereo? I don't really want to mess with any complicated installation. I don't care if my iPod sits in my cupholder and uses a direct power connection to the lighter. I would just like it to sound better, and not pay an arm and a leg.

Right now, I'm listening to my iPod with the cassette adapter.

I did search the forum for 2002 Passat, but the only thread that came up was pretty old and didn't address this question.

[GavinD]

If you want good quality sound I recommend getting an adapter that makes a direct connection. I have the neo ion www.mp3yourcar.com and have been very happy with it. Its an all in one solution that also charges the iPod and allows you to use your steering wheel controls. I wouldn’t even bother with modulators / transmitters.

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by catpodder
My question is this - if you buy the adapter to connect to that, do you have to do anything in the back of the stereo?
nope... if you hook up in the trunk, the radio does not need to be touched. just so you know, if you do have an existing cd changer in the trunk, you'll need to disable that inorder to hook up your ipod. i have tons of VW hookup experence, email/PM me if you run into any problems. :cool:

[catpodder]

I don't have any controls on the steering wheel, and that's all kind of bells & whistles to me anyway. I generally start it on a playlist, a podcast, or a book and leave it there.

bhb399mm - I saw the adapters on the website mentioned in another thread. I assume you just buy a cable long enough to drag from the trunk to the cabin area so you can have your iPod near the driver's seat? Where exactly is the plug in the trunk (I don't have a CD changer now).

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by catpodder
I assume you just buy a cable long enough to drag from the trunk to the cabin area so you can have your iPod near the driver's seat?
yep, that'd be the easiest way... i would recomend the following setup:

-blitzsafe adapter hooked up in the trunk
-LONG RCA->mini plug cord running up to the dash area
-belkin or similar charger/audio out

Originally posted by catpodder
Where exactly is the plug in the trunk (I don't have a CD changer now).
plug in the trunk is driver's side fender compartment, open up the access dood and you cant miss it

[catpodder]

Is the Biltzsafe adapter similar to the one listed on http://www.installer.com/adapt.html for VW's? Where would I buy that from? Thanks for clarifying!!!!

I've got the Belkin cigaratte charger with the audio out, so I'm 1/3 of the way there!

[bhb399mm]

not sure about those.. never seen them before.. blitzsafe is the most high quality product on the marked in my opinion.. look here:blitzsafe @ my radio store .com (http://www.myradiostore.us/auxadapters/blitzsafe/single-rca.html)


edit: sorry.. you need this: VW/AUX DMX V.3A (http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux_list/blitz_volkswagen/blitz_volkswagen.html)

[catpodder]

Okay, last idiot question. The Blitzsafe plugs into the 12-pin connector in the trunk, the RCA/output plugs into that, and the output plugs into the Belkin, which plugs into the iPod through the dock connector on the bottom thereby controlling the stereo and charging it.

Once this hookup is in place, on the headunit, which do you select for input. My choices are tape/CD/AM/FM....

Thanks so much for clearing this up!

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by catpodder
Okay, last idiot question. The Blitzsafe plugs into the 12-pin connector in the trunk, the RCA/output plugs into that, and the output plugs into the Belkin, which plugs into the iPod through the dock connector on the bottom thereby controlling the stereo and charging it.

exactly

Originally posted by catpodder
Once this hookup is in place, on the headunit, which do you select for input. My choices are tape/CD/AM/FM....

tape/CD/AM/FM/CDChanger...

the ipod take the CD changer spot.. the head unit will display cd c hanger, and track 99 disc 1 or something like that

[catpodder]

Thanks for the info. By hooking this up, will it disable the single CD player on the headunit? or does it just disable it if the iPod is plugged in and active. I probably won't use it much, but it would be nice to have.

Oh, and I dug through the trunk and found the 12-pin connector right where you said it would be.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!1

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by catpodder
Thanks for the info. By hooking this up, will it disable the single CD player on the headunit?
it wont disable anything... if you're playing the ipod, you can hit the "cd" button and the cd you have inthe player will play.

[mikeu02]

Originally posted by bhb399mm
it wont disable anything... if you're playing the ipod, you can hit the "cd" button and the cd you have inthe player will play.

ok, it sounds like your the one to talk to....

I have a 04 Passat with the stearing wheel controls. I've been trying to decide between the Blitzsafe and the Neo.

Here's some questions.

1. Will the blitzsafe allow for control from the ipod? (I think so).

2. How is the audio sound from the headphones? I've heard mixed reviews.

3. If I get the Neo, do I need a ground isolator?

I'm leaning towards the neo because I don't want to have to fish the cable to the cab.

If I DID do Blitzsafe, I was going to change the male connector to a female (adapter) in the cab and hard connect it into my spare spacer on my counsol(sp?).

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by mikeu02
1. Will the blitzsafe allow for control from the ipod? (I think so).

the blitzsafe adapter is audio only... meaning the all controls (track change, etc) with the exception of volume will be controlled by the ipod. head unit controls will not do anything

Originally posted by mikeu02
2. How is the audio sound from the headphones? I've heard mixed reviews.

audio out from the headphone jack isnt really recomended by alot of people... the headphone jack is amplified, and so is the audio system in your car.. too amps working against eachother. a $30 dock connector audio out (i like belkin) will give you charging capabilities as well as audio out

Originally posted by mikeu02
3. If I get the Neo, do I need a ground isolator?

not sure.. it depends on is connects to the car's power..

Originally posted by mikeu02
I'm leaning towards the neo because I don't want to have to fish the cable to the cab.

you can get a belkin adapter that hooks up to the head unit... that will do the same thing. it sounded like you didnt wanna have to mess with pulling out the head unit tho. if you get one that geos dircetly to the head unit (which i recomend) you wouldnt have to fish the wires from the trunk

Originally posted by mikeu02
If I DID do Blitzsafe, I was going to change the male connector to a female (adapter) in the cab and hard connect it into my spare spacer on my counsol(sp?).
what..... i missed that:confused:

[mikeu02]

If I ran from the Blitzsafe in the trunk, it would terminate with a 'male' headphone connector. I would have a headphone cable hanging out somewhere in the cab. So, I thought about buying a male-female adapter and sticking it on the end. Taping or supergluing them together so they wouldn't come apart.

I have a spacer on my dash (right below the butt-warmer on the passenger side). I would remove the spacer, cut a hole into it and mount the now female end of the cable from the trunk. Then, buy a male to male cord for my ipod. When I get in, I plug in the ipod.

I also thought about terminating with a firewire connection somehow instead of the female.

Sounds like I should just bite the bullet and buy the cd changer option. I have a case for my ipod that I keep it in all of the time and didn't want to mess around with a dock since I would have to take it out of the case all of the time to dock it.

[bhb399mm]

it seems like you're making alot more work for yourself than necessary... do you have AIM? drop me a line, its easier to talkthere.

sn = bhb399mm

[mikeu02]

Originally posted by bhb399mm
it seems like you're making alot more work for yourself than necessary... do you have AIM? drop me a line, its easier to talkthere.

sn = bhb399mm

Don't have aim.

I understand the concept. The extra hard part is making it a clean installation. I don't want a cable sticking out anywhere.

Thanks for the info though. I'm going to get the Blitzsafe and route the cable.

one more thing. Have you heard the rumor that Apple and motorolla are teaming up to make an easy interface via bluetooth so you can answer your cell and play ipod?

I was looking into that for awhile. I was going to buy Motorolla's Bluetooth phone adapter and the Ipod Bluetooth accessory. This is another reason to stick with the cheaper option (Blitzsafe). I'm going to wait until the bluetooth ipod comes out, sell my 3rd gen on e-bay and pick up a new one. Maybe (hopefully) by then they'll have the car connector option and i'll be able to do both.

[bhb399mm]

what i was going to tell you... you can get a blitzsafe adapter that hooks up to your head unit, not in the trunk... which would make for a much cleaner install... take a look at the install in my jetta for ideas (link in my signature).. that should help a bit

[eljay]

Exactly what I ordered: behind the radio Blitzsafe adapter. Lot cleaner and easier than running cables from the trunk to the dash.

Check these out: http://enfigpics.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/VW_IPOD.html

You can get a version with a dock connector that charges your iPod too! All from ONE cable.

[jkbeckman]

Originally posted by bhb399mm
edit: sorry.. you need this: VW/AUX DMX V.3A (http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux_list/blitz_volkswagen/blitz_volkswagen.html)

I recommend the v.5. I have a 2005 Jetta and I needed to get the v.5

One other item, dont bother getting the keys to get the headunit out. Go to the dealer and have them do it. I had a hell of a time getting the unit out and had to go to vw anyway. Ended up bending the pins. Go to a dealer and save yourself the 20-25 bucks and get it done right.

[catpodder]

Okay, I ordered the PIE adapter for the VW. Hooked up fine. Disconnected the battery, plugged into the back, plugged in the RCA connectors, reconnected the battery, turned the car on, turned the radio on, it first said "safe" then "monsoon", I click on CD, and it says CD1 Trk1, then no disk, and flips back to the FM radio. Unhooked it all, and retried and the same thing. Tried a different RCA cable, same thing. On the PIE instructions, it says to activate the auxiliary port....but no information on how to do that and there's nothing in my VW Passat manual. Any ideas? I see in another post that a guy who bought the Blitzsafe for his Jetta is having the same issue....Help!

[catpodder]

Well, I just got off the phone with PIE in CA. They said with my Monsoon model stereo, this was a known issue. It's not related to any radio activation code. They are sending me a chip to replace the one that's in there now. He said it should work fine after that. I have the Monsoon stereo (with the round scan button!), with a tape cassette, and a single CD below it. I'll let everyone know if the new chip solves the problem. At least I can delay going to the dealer and paying another $45-89! The dealer wasn't even sure of the price they would charge to enter a code...

[bhb399mm]

usualy dealer price for a code is 1/2hour labor only... its just s simple hookup to their VAGCOM diagnostic tool.... PIE is sending you a new chip for the PIE unit you already have?

[catpodder]

Yes, apparently the one I have which was supposed to work with my model doesn't. They are sending a replacement chip, which doesn't have to be soddered on or anything. Will take a few days.

[catpodder]

I was very surprised at how clueless the people at VW were about technology. The head of service said the only way to play an iPod was the cassette adapter. He had no clue about the auxiliary converter kits. The people at VW America didn't know anything about it either. I felt like I was speaking in Greek.

[bcruze]

They have to tell you that, you actually think they're going to recommend you put a non-OEM piece of electronics into your car? Of course, they're always looking for a way to void your warranty so I don't see why they don't.

[bhb399mm]

true.. well, audio mods wont void your warranty... it'd be the same as puting in a non-OEM cd changer or something, no biggie... my dealer isnt bad with the tech stuff

[catpodder]

Well, we rec'd the new chip today and replaced it in the PIE unit. It worked! I have the Monster cable connecting back to the AUX unit in the trunk, and the cable then plugs into the Monster charger cable/line out. The sound quality isn't as good as I expected. Is there anything I need to adjust on the headunit?

[ShazK]

So, is the neo ion thing worth it? I have a 2001 Passat with a Monsoon system and I was also wondering how I ought to hook it up.

[catpodder]

I didn't want to spend the money on the Neo. I returned the Monster cable to CompUSA and ordered the SIK cable which should come this week. I spent $70 for the PIE converter, $5 for the RCA cable, $5 for an extension to the front of the car, and then the SIK cable for $29 which also charges it. Through the headset jack, it still sounds better than the tape cassette option. I didn't want to mess with pulling the stereo out of the front or paying someone to install it for me. I'll let you know if the line out sounds better once I get the SIK cable.

The Monster cable was also a pain because it was so thick where you plug into the iPod. You would have to adapt all your cases by cutting them to make it wider. I don't think that will happen with the SIK adapter.

[catpodder]

I got my SIK cable, and it works great. The sound quality still isn't as good as through the headset jack. I'm wondering if my crappy little stereo needs at least some amp, which comes out of the headset jack but not the line out jack. Am I out in left field here?

[torifile]

So, was there ever a conclusive decision about what solution is best? PIE has an all-in-one type solution but it's expensive and you can't control the iPod through its controls, only through your radio.

What I'd like is an all-in-one (not necessarily all one unit but one package) that will give me exactly what I need. The connection to the cd changer port in the trunk, the cable to run it up to the front, the dock connection and the audio out. Anything like that? That doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

[catpodder]

Well, the all in one solutions cost more, which is why I went for the cheap PIE option. I don't have the stereo controls on my steering wheel, so I'm fine controlling it from the iPod itself. My system works great - I'm just not sure why it sounds better out of the headset jack than the line out jack. Other than that, it works great!