Aftermarket Stereo Fitting Woes

Nogaro-S3

Nogaro-S3

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Hi guys. Thanks for all the advice before. Car now gets down the road like a car with an 'S' badge should and I don't have to worry about getting beaten by Clio 182s anymore LOL.

Problem I have now is aftermarket headunit fitting to my Bose setup....I used this lead;
Amazon product

...which is supposed to be plug and play but so far it is only plugging and not playing. Unit doesn't power up...the reason I bought it was so I wouldn't have to be hacking and splicing. Have I bought the wrong lead?
 
Ooops....they mustn't like links on here...as it's been deleted so here's the pic
Audi Stereo Lead
 
Hi mate,haven't done this myself and read a few stories of problems with front or back speakers not working but not any about having no power.Have you checked to see if you are getting power to the radio and have you have connected the earth wire to a 'good' point of earth?

Sorry not much help but maybe someone with experience will be along soon as many have done this swap.
 
tcg said:
Hi mate,haven't done this myself and read a few stories of problems with front or back speakers not working but not any about having no power.Have you checked to see if you are getting power to the radio and have you have connected the earth wire to a 'good' point of earth?

Sorry not much help but maybe someone with experience will be along soon as many have done this swap.
Click to expand...

Thanjks for getting back to me...Not checked anything with a multimeter yet...literally only just tried it quickly last night...I have heard about needing to run wires from fusebox etc...but if that's the case then this lead is not very plug and play :anguished:
 
I used an Autoleads PC9-408 lead iirc when I fitted after market to mine

<tuffty/>
 
This was the info on the product so it sounded like the right one from this description;



Product Description:

A radio iso harness will allow the installation of a new or used aftermarket stereo into your vehicle. You will also require a headunit harness which should come with your new or used aftermarket stereo. If you are missing this harness search our eBay shop for Headunit Specific ISO Harnesses down the left-hand side.

Package Includes:

·Audi half amplified ISO interface

Vehicle fitment (guide only):

·Audi A2 2000 - 2005

·Audi A3 8L 1996 - 1999

·Audi A3 8P 2003 - 2007

·Audi A4 B5 1995 - 2001

·Audi A4 B6 2001 - 2005

·Audi A6 C5 1997 - 2004

·Audi A8 1994 - 2002

·Audi TT 8N 1998 - 2006

·Audi A3 8L facelift 2000 - 2003

·Porsche 996

This harness is for vehicles with an Active System only. Connects with the active Audi/Porsche (subwoofer and rear sound system) with Bose Audio System, DSP, models until 2004 (excluding installation type with Fakra connection)

If you are unsure if this item will fit your vehicle, please send us a message and attach a photo of your vehicles harness from behind the stereo and one of your original stereo.
 
Everything plugs in where it should....there are no spare plugs that I am not plugging in...however I haven't connected that loose blue lead with the bullet connector on it as I couldn't see a home for it...looks like a remote lead to switch on a massive sub you would have in the boot when you were 19 :rock:
 
Nogaro-S3 said:
Package Includes:

·Audi half amplified ISO interface
Click to expand...

Is yours full Bose or half Bose?

Full Bose uses an amp for both front/rear speakers... Half is just the rear...

I had full Bose... the PC9-408 is a speaker level adapter iirc... I occasionally got a small pop on startup but not sure any adaptor worked that well from what I read..

Was good enough that I wasn't compelled to fit all my proper audio gear for a few years until I could be a*sed too...

<tuffty/>
 
<tuffty/> said:
Is yours full Bose or half Bose?

Full Bose uses an amp for both front/rear speakers... Half is just the rear...

I had full Bose... the PC9-408 is a speaker level adapter iirc... I occasionally got a small pop on startup but not sure any adaptor worked that well from what I read..

Was good enough that I wasn't compelled to fit all my proper audio gear for a few years until I could be a*sed too...

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...


Ah you got me there Tufty...I am guessing a half Bose as I don't see any RCA leads or anything like that and there are only 2 pugs going into the back of my original Audi headunit...there is one spare socket between the 2 on the back of the headunit...so perhaps half Bose...boy do I feel cheated with this car LOL...definitely S4-ing some stage this year. I heard they have even have the proper Audi 4WD setup...the S3 is getting on my nerves....basically by the time the stupid fake Haldex 4WD comes on you are either on snow, a muddy field or sideways and just about to crash...so the normal everyday S3 driver will NEVER experience the 4WD that is claimed for his/her vehicle
 
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I gave it the beans out the back on the gravel...luckily I have an acre out there...because with the shocking FWD bias the understeer is so ridiculous you could turn the Titanic in the circle left by the S3...You have to keep snatching the handbrake to get the back out...Impreza can pretty much donut within it's own length if you catch my drift. Don't get me wrong...S3 is a nice looking car...but I want a bit more go than show
 
Boy do people hate a little truth about the S3....trust me guys...go and drive a car with a proper 4WD setup like perhaps the ones Audi used to rally instead of sulking about some home truths. I have one and I am laughing about it because it's 14 years old now so too late to complain to Audi about it...I find it amusing that it is even allowed to call itself 4WD because as long as you avoid muddy fields and snow...your S3 will remain 2WD it's entire life...well until one of the many daft Haldex components goes belly up and then you will experience a 4WD you don't want which drives like an old E36 BMW with a welded rear diff. Like I said earlier...buy cheap, buy twice. There's a reason a 2002 S3 costs £1500 and a 2002 s4 about £4000 and I am experiencing that reason on a daily basis...you get what you pay for
 
<tuffty/> said:
...yep... because most of them are f*cked tbh...

Veyron uses a haldex coupling btw....

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...


Ahhh the old Veyron argument to defend Haldex...I'll wager that it's a better designed/evolved and far more expensive unit in a £1million car than the trash in a £1500 S3 so at least the Veyron won't need a football pitch to do a donut.

And as for most S3s being effed now...that is most likely due to the inferior flawed setup they used to provide 4WD....well 4WD if you are on snow, muddy field or sideways just about to crash. They shouldn't be allowed to wear the quattro badge as they are not quattro. I'll bet they're aren't as many 1994 Audi 80, 90 or Coupe Quattros effed pro rata. I have driven and owned a lot of cars in my time FWD, RWD and 4WD...I like my 4WD to be a bit more ....well actually real....I wouldn't like to be just about to go sideways and having to rely on an ecu to now decide if my rear wheels need some power...I've powerslid and 4 wheel drifted Imprezas on track at 80mph til I got bored of it....I wouldn't dream of throwing an S3 into a corner for a bit of lift of oversteer....Christ knows what would happen or where you would end up.

Don't get me wrong...if you are used to 2WD and then you buy an S3 then you will probably feel a little more stability in the S3...a lot of that is in your head thinking it's really 4WD and the extra weight you are carrying on the rear for this purpose.
 
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tcg said:
Only took a test drive in an Impreza till I got bored :yes: GT4 all the way!
Click to expand...

I've had 2 ST185 Gt-Fours...one of which was an import RC model...they handle beautifully even if a touch on the heavy side. Better built than an Impreza hands down.

Wish I had kept the RC...it had suspension on it that was probably worth more than the car and was adjustable in every single way possible...You know how the Japanese don't skimp on upgrades.
 
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Feel your pain...
Tim 1194755

Still pining a bit.
 
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I wouldn't have another Impreza though...been there and done that. Joined a forum once when I had a Blue Prodrive STI and agreed to meet some of the members at a local car show down our way. I couldn't get parked near them which was good because when I eventually found where they all were...all of them were standard non STI bazzed up s**tboxes owned by dudes that want to tell you how they beat a Porsche in it...get effed man...I would rather a Porsche any day of the week ...swerved that lot without even introducing myself or my car. Let's just say certain types buy certain cars
 
The one I miss most is my E30 325i Sport...can you believe I sold it 10 years ago now for £750....just because it had a misfire and I didn't know as much about cars back then. If I had it now...I would just fire another engine in it and gaze at £5000 worth in my barn :tearsofjoy: Very well balanced and neutral, predictable handling....back in the days when a BMW was the Ultimate Driving Machine
 
Prawn said:
Do you hate them now too? :tearsofjoy:
Click to expand...
Some I do some I don't....takes me about 10 years to like a BMW...absolutely hated the E36 M3 when it first came out cos they were nearly always driven by Estate Agent tools....so now I am cool about 2007ish V10 M5s but hate the new ones...but give it 10 years and they'll probably grow on me
 
Why don't you have a proper rant and get it of your chest. You could try the new Ford Escort. I hear they are quite nice.!!!
 
bigal 1 said:
Why don't you have a proper rant and get it of your chest. You could try the new Ford Escort. I hear they are quite nice.!!!
Click to expand...

Chill out geez...no ranting...just a bit of discussion about the pros and cons of certain motors...wanna buy an S3:smiley::nogarors4:
 
superkarl said:
theres something wrong with your haldex system if this is how youre describing it.
Click to expand...

In what way...that it only engages when it detects loss of traction from front wheels...or that you need a football pitch to donut it in.
 
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If you look at the haldex videos the Quattro is far superior to BMW xdrive and Mercedes 4matic

I think the 97.5 / 2.5 regular split seems a little poor but it is a road car.
 
Stuart B said:
If you look at the haldex videos the Quattro is far superior to BMW xdrive and Mercedes 4matic

I think the 97.5 / 2.5 regular split seems a little poor but it is a road car.
Click to expand...

Cow s*it smells nicer than dog s*it and cat s*it but I wouldn't eat any of them
 
There are ways to make the haldex run 50/50 - 60/40 etc either a cheap way (bolt) or an expensive way (controller) way. But then it wears out on an already old car.

But like with a Suzuki bandit 600 you can spend a fortune to make it better or buy a 1200 a be done with it.
 
Stuart B said:
There are ways to make the haldex run 50/50 - 60/40 etc either a cheap way (bolt) or an expensive way (controller) way. But then it wears out on an already old car.

But like with a Suzuki bandit 600 you can spend a fortune to make it better or buy a 1200 a be done with it.
Click to expand...

You've hit the nail on the head. We're in the realms of silk purses out of sow's ears and t*rd polishing.
 
Everyone knows you should never polish a ****.

Just roll it in glitter and be done with it :laugh:
 
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saying that... I will buy your s3 for 1500? I need a new wing! but only if you manage to get the stereo working. :)

collection only obviously.
 
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Nogaro-S3 said:
In what way...that it only engages when it detects loss of traction from front wheels...or that you need a football pitch to donut it in.
Click to expand...

Sorry but this isn't true and, as Karl said above, demonstrates a lack of understanding. That in itself is fine - the AWD setup in these cars is clunky.

Stop thinking about loss of traction and start thinking about torque demand. The AWD will respond to torque demand i.e. the throttle pedal. Next time you drive the car, stab the throttle hard about a second before you turn in. There will be no loss of traction but you'll feel the weight shift as the rear engages. The corner will feel very different as a result - much more as you seem to desire.

Once you get this, you can manipulate the (admittedly poor) calibration to do roughly what you want, much of the time. I have to admit that a TouchMotion controller is definitely on the list for this year to avoid having to trigger the sodding thing myself...

ETA: The AWD will still engage without such manipulation, but to a dramatically lesser degree. In general it's a matter of trusting that it'll be there for you - try experimenting with getting on the power earlier.

Stuart B said:
If you look at the haldex videos the Quattro is far superior to BMW xdrive and Mercedes 4matic

I think the 97.5 / 2.5 regular split seems a little poor but it is a road car.
Click to expand...

BMW, Mercedes, even larger Audis with a Torsen-style diff all primarily supply drive to the rear axle, with a smaller proportion going to the front. Now you're back into RWD vs FWD.
 
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I think Noagro-S3 biggest complaint is he can't 4 wheel drift his £1500 15 year old road car. - but as he suggested you can get a 1996 BMW 318is and weld the diff and drift that lightweight 1900cc chain driven 160BHP coupe all day long until you hit a tree.
 
tomjol said:
Sorry but this isn't true and, as Karl said above, demonstrates a lack of understanding. That in itself is fine - the AWD setup in these cars is clunky.

Stop thinking about loss of traction and start thinking about torque demand. The AWD will respond to torque demand i.e. the throttle pedal. Next time you drive the car, stab the throttle hard about a second before you turn in. There will be no loss of traction but you'll feel the weight shift as the rear engages. The corner will feel very different as a result - much more as you seem to desire.

Once you get this, you can manipulate the (admittedly poor) calibration to do roughly what you want, much of the time. I have to admit that a TouchMotion controller is definitely on the list for this year to avoid having to trigger the sodding thing myself...

ETA: The AWD will still engage without such manipulation, but to a dramatically lesser degree. In general it's a matter of trusting that it'll be there for you - try experimenting with getting on the power earlier.



BMW, Mercedes, even larger Audis with a Torsen-style diff all primarily supply drive to the rear axle, with a smaller proportion going to the front. Now you're back into RWD vs FWD.
Click to expand...
I couldn't be ***** engaging on this level with someone who appears to have the logical reasoning of an amoeaba
 
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