VW Passat 98 - Gamma radio does not switch on

[zakir460]

Hi there,

I just joined the forum as I bough a VW Passat 1.8 SE 1998 saloon car. At present the car's audio system does not work which includes a GAMMA radio cassette player and a CD changer in the back.

I have checked the fuse and it is fine.

There is no light on the radio as I tried pushing buttons.

In addition to that I have no service history or any handbook at all with this car. Just the car.

Many thanks for your kind help.

Merry xmas and a happy new year to you all

[STEWY L]

which fuse have you checked?
their will be one in the radio it's self.
when you say the cd changer is in the back,do you mean in the boot,or in the dash behind the radio?
how long have you had the car?
it is possible that the radio is not the original one and hasn't been coded.
regards,
stewy.

[zakir460]

which fuse have you checked?
their will be one in the radio it's self.
when you say the cd changer is in the back,do you mean in the boot,or in the dash behind the radio?
how long have you had the car?
it is possible that the radio is not the original one and hasn't been coded.

Hi Stewy, cheers for quick reply.

Checked the fuse and the only fuse I knew was on the drivers side. So, I did not know about any fuse at the back of radio itself. I think I have to explore that tomorrow.

The CD changer is in the boot inside the first aid marked hold

I had the car for only 3 weeks

There is a possibility of the radio not being original but I have no way to substantiate that presumption. I just have evidence that the climate control panel has been changed as there is a spare one in the boot.

Many thanks again

[STEWY L]

you could be faced with two problems.
if the radio has been changed you will need the code number for it if it hasn't
previously been entered into the cars ecu.
later cars,mine is a 2001 bora, remembers it's own code when you disconnect the battery,
but yours may not and so you may have to get hold of that to get it to work.
have no idea how to go about that unfortuneately,but having said all that,
have you got any sort of light on the radio when you switch on?
are we talking no electrical power to it,or no response from it?

[zakir460]

No power on the radio whatsoever, tried pushing buttons but without success. there is no light of any sort or no sound - nothing at all.

Does it mean that the fuse on the back of radio is blown or much more. It is trick getting out the radio

Do I need new code for that - if I disconnect the battery.

cheers

[STEWY L]

it sounds as if the fuse inside the radio has blown or the radio has not been connected properly.
i would remove the radio and take it from there.
i'm sorry i can't tell you how they come out,but please try the search facility
"remove radio" you should find some good advice on there.
sorry i can't help in that direction as i have never had mine out.
good luck ,
stewy.

[Macsub]

You just need the radio removal keys, Halfords sell them. Be very gentle with them and try not to pull on them once they are inserted. Either pull on the HU itself or even better remove the glovebox and push the HU from behind. If the keys aren't engaged properly then pulling on them can knacker the spring clips and you end up with the HU wedged in the dash permanently. The fuse is on the back of the HU. You may need the security code which you can get from your VW dealer, but they usually charge for this unless you have a good relationship with them.