bench testing concert radio - no display

[da4ly]

My 1999 A4 has an aftermarket radio. It was installed by the previous owner. I am in the process of installing an original equipment Concert radio that I bought in the junk yard. First I am trying to bench test it. I have wired it up using a harness I also bought at the junk yard. I have connected 12volts, ground, the ignition switched 12v and the illumination pin using the 8-pin black connector. I have not connected the other connectors. The radio turns off and and and the face buttons etc gets illuminated. However nothing appears on the display. I expected to see "safemode" displayed. Is the display controlled by the radio itself or is it controlled by the computer K-line ? or is the display broke ? Any insight ?
Thanks

[Pete@ECSTuning]

Audi radios have a line running to them that interfaces with the car's ECM. Most aftermarket harnesses use this wire for remote lines for amps or power antennas. Now I don't know for sure, but it would seem to me that this line might be mandatory to get the radio to function properly, like a fail safe to prevent radios from being stolen. Also, you will need the unlock code from the junk yard car.

One last bit, we have new Symphony I units that come with unlock codes available for peanuts on the dollar: Click here for pricing.

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