audi, alpine head + ipod which adapters reqd

[malarcy]

Got an aplpine head and alpine ipod adapter fitted at my local ICE place. They seem to have done a reasonable job - except they had the wrong harness adapter for my car (apparently a4 cabriolets have amped speakers) - that's coming in on friday

Outstanding issue is - power off with ignition, have read various posts around the net varied from

1) can't do it, these cars use k-bus signalling for ignition

2) can do, these cares use k-bus but there is an adapter from soundlinx.co.uk (their website is broken so I can;t check)

3) AUDI/VW often transpose 12v permamnent with 12v accessory (switched 12v) on the harness - just switch them around.

Can anyone give me a definative version - if I have to hang something 3rd party on the k-bus line then I might just rip it all out and put the audi head unit back - this shouldn't be that hard.

Any help appreciated.

Paul

[timps]

All those post are true but it depends on the year of car and the original radio.

Which ever way there is a switched ignition feed in the steering column behind the key switch.

My original radio used k-bus to switch on and off so when I changed to a Kenwood I did a little testing.

When I checked the wires in the steering column behind the key switch with a multi meter on my A4 B6 there was

Permanent live

Switched live thick cable (but only in the accessory position)

Switched live thin cable (until key removed) (this one I think is to tell k-bus your key is in the ignition but not a k-bus wire)

I used the last one with a very low rated fuse for a switch live

Hope this helps

[malarcy]

Thanks for that, the only thing stopping me from doing that is not giving the stealers any more excuses for not fixing things - I am so expecting them to whine and moan whenever they get near the car that I am actually planning on removing the head unit when they have the car - if I have an adapter I can pull it - but a splice wire will be a bit more permanent.

One local ICE installer is looking into the soundlinx stuff for me - I'll see where I go from there.

Paul

[timps]

Some people have actually trapped a wire in the fuse box with a fuse.

There is definitely a switched live in the fuse box of a B6 & it would be very easy to cover your tracks if need be

but this is only live in the accessory position and the idea of a trapped wire does put some people off.

[malarcy]

The soundlinx unit is ....... 190 pounds. hell fire and damnation to it - sounds like I am living with turning the bugger off when I switch the car off.

Still let's see what my "expert" says tomorrow when the speakers get connected properly.

Thanks all

Paul

[malarcy]

Just to wrap this up - went back today, the correct cable was fitted, switched live and lights on (dimming for the unit) connected up, aerial amplifier fitted (another surprise) and..... it sounds crap - all treble up front, distorts like a b*st*rd, rears all bass and quiet have to have fader set all the way back to stop it sounding like someone else's walkman - and - the stupid bloody glidebar thing goes off over bumps - I think the unit is actually faulty - one end is OK the other needs a breathe of wind on it before it selects.

It's all coming out next weekend - the original audi head going back in and I am giving up on the whole thing

If my experience is anything to go by - if you have an a4 cabriolet and want to change the head unit DONT.

Thanks for listening.

Paul