'02 A4 Problems......

thenashlegend

Hey all!!
Just bought an A4 exaclty a week ago today and this evening........down went the radio......The cd player doesnt work....something I'm not too bothered about but the radio was the last straw!:mad:....The lights are still on but the screen has gone off and there is no sound coming through! It was touch and go for a few mins on my journey home but for the last half hour it has been dead!! Just wondering if any of ye know what might be wrong or would a new unit be the best option? They cant be hard to fit.....just to unfit the original is what I'm worried about!:(

Atlantic Dawn

It could be a fuse, check there first.

thenashlegend

Sorry I'm new to this....where would I look for them?? Only ever had a Starlet before this and I knew her inside out but this is a new "challenge" lets say!!:rolleyes:

nogoodnamesleft

What kind of radio is fitted to the audi, is it a concert or just the standard model? If it is a factory fit it would be very easy to remove all you need are the radio removal tools. I picked up a set in the UK for different manufactures for about 14pound. You can get just the audi specific ones for a few euro from the dealer. See attached pics.

If it was me I would be wondering what caused the radio to fail?

thenashlegend

Sorry I should have said.....its the concert model!! They basically look like thin knives? maybe?? I'm not sure what caused it....I'll check the fuses tomorrow but it could be wiring, been as it was on and off for around 20 mins?:rolleyes:

nogoodnamesleft

IMO If a fuse blew it wouldnt be switching on an off....its would just go!

I would check the connections to the back of the radio espcially the constant 12v and the switched ignition supply. If the power to the radio is gone you might need the radio code if power is gone to the radio

The release tools are kinda like that I suppose. You just push them home unti they engage the catch.

There might also be a 10amp fuse on the radio itself....on the VW "gamma" radios there is so im assuming audis are something similar.

thenashlegend

So removal tools are a must?? I think if a fuse blew it would just go off full stop but it cut in and out for a while?!:rolleyes: Hopefully its just a loose wire.....would hate to have to get a new one for it!!:(

nogoodnamesleft

If I was diagnosing it, first thing would be to remove the radio and check with a multimeter if the radio was getting power on the ISO connection from the car both 12v constant and 12v switched (ignition supply). You then can distingush if its a problem with the cars electrical system or the radio.

Could be that some component in the radio shorted lately (as you mention that the CD player was playing up). You can buy OEM Audi radios off ebay, but if it was me I would upgrade to a better head unit.

garyt43

could be the wiring at the back like said above.....there could have being an external bluetooth unit connected to the radio and when whoever u bought it from disconnected it and distorted one of the wires for the radio....there fairly bullet proof so its prob something simple like mentioned in the above replies.

thenashlegend

Cheers guys.....nogoodnamesleft, what would you say is a better head unit than the Audi Concert?? The sound is very good and its simple enough to use.....do you mean a Pioneer or some other brand??

nogoodnamesleft

Wouldnt really car about the brand name that much.

I would be looking for features on a new radio(aux connection, USB, MP3 compatible, built for ipod,bluetooth for your phone etc) as well as speaker output but you would have to probably upgarde your speakers to get the most benefit for bigger speaker wattage:D

Personally if I was upgrading at the moment id get this (plenty of gadgets but its expensive + id lose my indash 6cd disk changer). TeleAtlas maps so garmin updates too

http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/multimedia/multimedia/DNX5240BT/

thenashlegend

Right....new update!:D Just checked it there again.....its getting power from the car as the lights are coming on for every button on it but the power button itself wont work and there is no sign of life on the display?!:(

thenashlegend

nogoodnamesleft.....its a lovely bit of kit but its kind of putting the cart before the horse isnt it?!:rolleyes: I'm only after buyin the car so really I cant afford more of an outlay on new speakers and that bit.....I'm happy with the sound I'm getting, maybe just a normal radio that has and Ipod connection and cd player?!:) maybe Sony, Kenwood or Pioneer?! Even another Audi Concert for the time being as long as I have a few tunes to listen to!!:D

frank gooding

Maybe just a new radio.

Halfords will even fit it for ye.

Get em to look for any loose connections.

thenashlegend

Thanks guys!!:D I wonder would Halfords be willing to look at it for me just to check whats wrong before I buy anything?! If its just a loose wire would they fix it for a smaller fee been as they may have the possibility of a sale??;) or would they just say I needed a new one anyway??:mad:

nogoodnamesleft

Ah......asking halfords to diagnose whats wrong with your car radio is just asking for trouble in my opinion. You more that likey will be met with a teenager with ache, on min wage with little or no expertise. And in my experience management arent much better!

As mentioned in my 1st post you you need to figure out whats wrong at the moment the car or the radio before doing anything. There is no point in buying a new radio when you arent sure if the old one is even faulty. The radio lights illuminating on the radio prove nothing as they are on a different circuit.

remotesensor

Don't get an aftermarket radio. Keep the audi one. The sound on those units are class and the aftermarket radios don't fit in with the look of the dashboard. Most aftermarket ones are gaudy looking yokes of questionable quality and they aren't built for the speakers in your car.

Try and get a quote for repairing the unit. If it is beyond repair you will have to look on ebay or start ringing around. The quotes dealers will give your for a replacement will be absolutely ridiculous, somewhere around 500-800 quid. Some audi dealers have reconditioned units that they will sell to you with a 2 year warranty. You have to exchange your old unit to purchase these but it will still cost around 250 quid.

galwaytt

..that Audi OEM one is prone to problems. Signal dropping in/out, volume hunting, etc.

thenashlegend

hmmm?? As for Halfords I know well what your on about!:rolleyes: The local store here has one good guy workin there that seems to know his stuff but only last week I was greeted by two girls in there!:rolleyes: Not that I have any issues with ladies in the work place.......:eek: but there not the type of people that would look comfortable fitting a cd player!!:o But anyway thanks for all the advice......I think a trip to my uncle's garage will be in order tomorrow....then maybe Halfords to try and find a removal kit for the player.......check it out and see where it gets me?!:o I'll keep ye posted anyway!!:D

daithihalton

look at the drivers door wiring loom the wires for the speakers break causing the radio to shut down but still have the lights illuminated, open the door and between the upper and lower door hinge you will see were the loom passes through, might be the passanger side also,
you could do a diagnostic scan on the car with software like vag-com this may help