Hi,
I've just bought the Centre Console & 6 CD Changer project from Mork. And immediately run in to a whole load of problems. The CD changer works fine. However the problems are as follows:
1. You need fitting instructions. As mentioned above the job is a b*****r for a novice such as me. After ages searching the internet, the only manual I could turn up was in german. I could see that this manual had an english section but the guy on the german website had, naturally, not scanned this bit. (He had also encrypted it in a password zip file but I got around that minor prob.) It was also a very poor quality scan. I emailed the german guy and he very kindly also sent me a scan of the english section. Unfortunately, it was an even poorer quality scan but, from the two versions and extensive use of babelfish translator I have more or less decoded the instructions. If anybody wants them, I can email them to you.
2. The instructions say at the beginning that the work is complicated, requires specialised tools and should only be done by trained personnel. This seems to consist of "removal wedges" for some of the trim and a diagnostic tool in case the Radio doesn't recognise the CD-Changer (something about syncronising the codes.) In my case the latter was unnecessary, the RCD300 Radio immediately recognised the Changer.
3. I initially started this project without instructions and was bewildered by two seperate fly leads that were connected to one end of the loom that Mork had bought and sold on to me; one was brown with ring attachment at the other end (as I especteded this was an earthing lead) and the other was blue & gray. This stumped me, but when I decoded the manuals, this is actually the power supply. The section in manual to fit this suggests tee-ing it in to a cable that comes out of the back of the "electrical controller unit" which, according to the manual, is located next to the steering column under the dash. The manual seems to suggest this is dead easy to access - just removed the cover under the dash - the reality is that I just cannot find the unit - I had this cover off and was starting to disassemble the fusebox, etc when I got a dose of common sense and thought I really do not know what I'm doing here. I suspect that this might be a Right-Hand vs Left-Hand Drive difference, but the English version does not throw any light on this. Anyway, I rationalised that as long as I am taking the feed of a fused live supply it should be OK. Eventually tapped into the live supply for the radio itself.
3. As mentioned, some of the instructions bear no relation to reality. The instructions call for the removal of the gearshift gaiter by just "unclipping it". Despite an hour of working around this problem, I just could not work out how to do this. Also, the instructions call for the removal of a clip prior to removing the "handbrake handle". Now, I have a GT TDi, so its a leather handbrake cover and this does not have a clip and the leather looks like it is stapled onto the handle, so thats definately not for removal.
4. As well as the replacement centre console and the cable, I have found you also need a replacement centre air duct. This is where I have reached my limit. The replcement duct is a slimmer version without the "spur" up to the "cooling hole" in the original armrest cubby. (I think this is supposed to keep your sarnies cool !) The CD Changer will not fit into the replacement armrest slot as the original duct stops it being pushed far enough down. I do not have this replcement air duct and cannot find out the VW part number for it. My dealer was spectacularly useless and the internet parts suppliers do not appear to have started stocking such parts for a Golf 5 as yet. If anybody knows / can get the part number for this repalcement air duct I would be very grateful. Also, if anybody knows of a cheap place to source it I would be even more grateful, as was not expecting any more expense for this project. It should also be said that, even if I can get this part, I am still stuffed until I can work out how to get the gaiter and then the front centre console section off, beacuse, the air duct replacement joins the forward duct somewhere underneath this console. It is also under here (I think) that the correct earthing point for the brown wire is located. However, I have found a good alternative for this under the front passenger dashboard.
Sorry for the long rambling post but I thought some people might like the benefit of my experiences and maybe somebody can help?
Regards,
Harry.
