Stereo help please (Japanese import)

[kev_mc]

I'm in New Zealand and have recently bought a 2009 A3 1.8T Sportback (VIN WAUZZZ8P69A1XXXXX, if that helps any).

It has been imported second hand from Japan (NZ being the last resting place for Japanese cars,it seems), and came with a touchscreen DVD/Satnav system. Unfortunately the system cannot be converted for use here, so has to be replaced. I got a local car audio 'specialist' to fit a Kenwood unit, but the radio reception is crap so I don't think he's fitted the antenna correctly and getting the steering controls to work wasn't something he could do.

This is where it gets tricky, you'd think that all I have to do is get a fitting kit from connects2 and Bob's yer uncle. No such luck, all of the wiring harnesses that I am seeing in my google results assume that I have a Quadlock connector in my car - I don't.

The 'factory' system is made by Clarion and I'm guessing was fitted by the Japanese Audi distributor. It consists of a head unit, a couple of credit card reader type things in the glove compartment (for paying road tolls I'm told) and a pretty complex wiring harness that includes a couple of little mystery boxes.

If I take out all of the Clarion stuff back to the connectors with VW/Audi markings this is what I'm left with



So my question to all of you who know what goes on behind a normal A3's dashboard - is this standard Audi wiring? Have the Japanese just removed a harness that combines all of this lot into a Quadlock connector? If so does anyone know the part number and can you recommend a supplier? If not can anyone identify some of the plugs so that I can at least get the antenna and steering controls sorted.

[alankru]

Welcome to the forum. Just a word of caution; you shouldn't post your full VIN.

If you fit an aftermarket radio, you should also fit an antenna booster.

Your 2009 car should be a quadlock. There look to be as though you have some of the plugs which you will normally find in a quadlock connector + some extras. These could be for what was in the glovebox. I'm not all too sure what you would call the individual plugs unfortunately but it does not seem that the Japanese have just removed the harness that combines the plugs into a quadlock connector because from what I have found on the internet, the speaker connections are moulded into the harness. Have a look at the photos on this thread: Radio in mk5 - ISO block not standard !! - SEAT Cupra.net - SEAT Forum I found some stuff on this page but it doesn't seem to be relevant: Buy Car Audio Quad Lock MOST Radio Connector parts

[kev_mc]

@alankru Thanks for the reply and the VIN warning (what can someone do with my VIN?)

As far as the wiring goes this is what I was afraid of. I was just hoping that I could get away without having to drop out the dashboard trim and find out where all those cables go. The closest wiring diagram that I have found is for an Allroad Quatro 2004, so I'm hoping I can use the wire colours in it to identify some of the connectors at least.

So it looks like my choices are
1) buy the antenna booster, stalk control adaptor and ISO - Quadlock harness from a connects2 supplier and then assemble my own Quadlock with the same pinouts that the standard A3s have.
2) buy the antenna booster and stalk control adaptor and build my own harness to convert the connections I have to an ISO connection.

I'm leaning towards option 1 - more parts cost but less head scratching. I'll post up my progress when I get done, it's going to have to wait for a sunny weekend - still the middle of winter here.

[xtramatt]

Apologies for posting on an old thread, but I've just encountered the same problem when pulling the Clarion unit out of my Jap' imported B7 A4, and haven't managed to find a discussion of this anywhere else.

Did you have any luck finding a solution for yours?

Cheers



IMG_20160514_172208[1].jpg

[CyWolf78]

Apologies for posting on an old thread, but I've just encountered the same problem when pulling the Clarion unit out of my Jap' imported B7 A4, and haven't managed to find a discussion of this anywhere else.

Did you have any luck finding a solution for yours?

Cheers



IMG_20160514_172208[1].jpg

Hi, I am in the same boat, Did you find a solution ?
The Clarion i removed is the J8PAE2A06.
I managed to find the permanent power and the front speakers.
I'm even thinking of pulling new cables to the rear speakers as it looks like this car has an amp in the rear.
I cannot for the life of me find the canbus high and low.
Any Help you can offer would b e great.