Some may recall my journey into the 6 disk changer for my GTI.  to bring
others up to speed, I have the panasonic DP-601 changer installed under my
seat with the blitzsafe adapter cable plugged into the factory wiring
harness.  Everything works as advertised except for the MIX button on the
head unit.

When the car was in for its 5k check I had them look at it.  They could not
get it to work and simply said that the radio will not do what the manual
says it will.

So I obtained a code sheet from another list member (thanks) and went back
today.  None of them had seen anything like the sheet I showed them which
surprised me.  But they were willing to give it a try.  So we (they let me
hang out and watch) plugged in the VAG 1551 and changed the codes.  It was
set wrong, but changing it to the correct code did not solve the problem
(still won't MIX)

I thanked the techs for their time and walked to get my keys and the manager
wanted to call VW Tech on it.  Sure I said, I have the time.  So VW Tech
wants to change out the head unit.  Although niether the technicians or
myself think it will solve the problem I am willing to let them try.

Overall I was dissapointed with the knowledge of the staff, although they
were all very helpful and willing to try new things there was a definate
lack of general knowledge IMO.  Maybe its from reading this list too much,
but I feel like most people who post regularly on this list know more about
the cars than these guys did.  Its also ironic having these feelings after
reading Don's post.  I wish I could bring my car to him for service.
(actually when I move to Jersey next month I might be able to)

Although the mechanics did think my hood lifts were a pretty nifty add-on.
couldn't have done that without the list.

I will post again when get the new head unit in next month, if anyone has a
succesfull story I am open to all suggestions.

****************************************************************
Jon T. Miller
Captain B1900D
98.5 Tornado Red GTI VR6....No MIX...euro switch on order with hood lifts
edition
"Remember whe sex was safe and flying was dangerous?"
*********************************************************************



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The mix feature will not work with the DP-601. The VW unit and the DP-601
have slightly different firmware.

The mix function is not worth the $200-$300 difference in the price between
the VW unit and the DP-601. I don't miss it at all.

A new head unit will not solve the problem.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Miller <jontmilleremail.msn>
To: GTI List <gti-vr6dev.tivoli>
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 1998 12:53 PM
Subject: [gti-vr6] 98.5 CD change mix saga


>Some may recall my journey into the 6 disk changer for my GTI.  to bring
>others up to speed, I have the panasonic DP-601 changer installed under my
[...] 52 lines deleted

If it makes you guys feel any better, the mix button hardly works with
the VW changer.  They advertise that (after you set the head unit up
properly which I did) mix will randomize all the CDs.  It doesn't.  It
randomizes only on the currently selected CD.  To make things worse I
get a bit of road noise when listening to the CD.  Anybody have a
suggestion?


[...] 101 lines deleted

I have the stock head unit and the  stock CD changer and the MIX button does
work. It will randomly select a CD, randomly play all the songs on it, then
pick another CD. The only bad part I found is that when you turn the car off
it reverts to regular play and just starts wherever it was turned off.

Peter J.

[...] 17 lines deleted