Aftermarket Head unit

[da5fter]

Hello Fellow Dubbers, My name is Da5fter and I just joined this forum this morning. Proud to be a part of a good VW forum that actually gives good info. My question is..... I have a 03' GTI w/ 1000 miles on it and would like to get rid of VW's stock head unit, (stupid design w/ the cup holders coming down over the cd slot, DUMB) People are telling me all over that it would void the warranty if i replace it. Please tell me thats not true!!. Also someone told me about aftermarket wheels voiding the warranty. How could this be. If someone could help me out, It would be greatly appreciated. (Just a CD player, not fiberglass or extra amps) Thanx Da5fter

[R_Ethug]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

no it doesn't void your warranty.. if its wired improperly it can fry the dealers VAG machine though and FYI they will pretty much never scan your car for codes if your deck is hooked up because of that unless you rip it out before a visit or prove to them about the Kwire aka CAN+- bus wires.. as for wheels thats impossible too.. think about snow steelies for example




my sony deck for a reference install..

[bart]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

ahah, they fixed my door yesterday, because it locked when it was open, and they said thats fine now, but it still doesnt beep the horn. they said they couldnt scan for codes because i have an aftermarket radio in there, with all this wiring in the back, splicing, harnesses, etc. i told them its not supposed to beep, i made it like that.

anyway, the point, its good to buy these radios, then they cant scan for codes without asking you to take out the radio. that way, they wont find stuff you might not want them to find.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

hehe good point bart

[Kor]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

Hello Fellow Dubbers, My name is Da5fter and I just joined this forum this morning. Proud to be a part of a good VW forum that actually gives good info. My question is..... I have a 03' GTI w/ 1000 miles on it and would like to get rid of VW's stock head unit, (stupid design w/ the cup holders coming down over the cd slot, DUMB) People are telling me all over that it would void the warranty if i replace it. Please tell me thats not true!!. Also someone told me about aftermarket wheels voiding the warranty. How could this be. If someone could help me out, It would be greatly appreciated. (Just a CD player, not fiberglass or extra amps) Thanx Da5fter

Nothing voids the entire warranty, but the dealership can refuse to work on a specific problem if it is caused by your modification. So if you replace the head-unit the dealer can refuse to do warranty work on your speakers but they cannot void your warranty. Some dealerships won't scan your ECU for error codes if you have an aftermarket radio because a long time ago there was a bad wiring harness used by some stereo shops that caused the VW diagnostic tool to short out. However when I went to 5th ave I told them that I knew that it was properly connected and they had no issues with my aftermarket deck.

Aftermarket wheels, same deal. The new wheel might be heavier and cause stresses, or it might not fit properly... if this happens they will not pay for the associated repairs under warranty. But you will still have a warranty on anything else that is not related to the wheels.

It is reasonable for a dealership to refuse warranty work due to a mod if that mod directly causes the problem I think. I have no problem with dealerships telling me this as long as they (1) tell me up front and (2) don't charge me anything without a work estimate.

[da5fter]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

Thanx for all the great info guys. I called the VW dealership I'm going to get serviced at and he said just to install the factory head unit before i come. Dont even know whether its worth it. and for the wheels I think thats bull**it

[Kor]

Re: Aftermarket Head unit

Thanx for all the great info guys. I called the VW dealership I'm going to get serviced at and he said just to install the factory head unit before i come. Dont even know whether its worth it. and for the wheels I think thats bull**it

VERY RARELY would a dealership make a fuss about your wheels. But they do have the right. If you disagree, you can argue with the manager or go to another dealership. I think often another dealership will be eager to get your business if you explain that you got fed up with being treated unreasonably,

When you install your aftermarket deack, take a picture of the wiring harness. There is a wire called the "K-wire" that is hooked up to the stock deck. If you have a picture showing that its not hooked up to anything, that is often good enough for the dealership as proof that their machines won't break. Or take the deck out and show one of the techs, then they can put it in your file that your deck is harmless.