Beetle (2002)

From Omnifi Wiki

There are a lot of ways to add one of these units on to your VW; since I have a factory CD changer, I elected to add a Soundgate SDS1V2 unit to my car.

There are similar units from other manufacturers, and there are appropriate units if you do not own a CD changer. I did not want to sacrifice the CD changer functionality, though, as I occasionally listen to discs.

Installation instructions:

• Remove the head unit. You will need "DIN Radio Removal" tools. You can get these tools at any local hi-fi shop, or purchase them online from Crutchfield or loads of other suppliers. For the truly cheap, you can use the metal rod inside a "hanging file folder" that you'd find in most offices. A little filing and they work okay.

• Install the Soundgate unit between the radio and the CD Changer.

• Velcro or glue with double-sided tape the Soundgate unit behind the dashboard.

• Connect up the control box for the OmniFi DMP1, and affix it with tape or velcro to the Soundgate box. You need to connect the appropriate leads to 12V switched, memory, lighting, and ground connectors. Use Low Voltage Tap Ins, available at Radio Shack or similar type stores, to make the connections. The wires you want to tap are directly behind your radio.

• Cable the two boxes together with short RCA cables - do not use the messy long ones shipped with the unit. In fact, the Soundgate leads are long enough that you can just use Male to Male RCA adapters for best results.

• Run the control cable under the plastic of the dashboard, above the steering column, and then underneath the trim, all the way to the rear driver's side of the car. Most of the plastic pops on and off, although there are some screws. Be careful not to crack the plastic.

• Install the hard drive unit in the back. I affixed mine vertically to the side of the CD Changer, which holds it really well.

• While you have the side plastic off, run the USB cable. The Wireless USB adapter fits perfectly in the B-pillar (the one that holds your seatbelt) if you unfold it so that it's flat. I have the antenna sticking up out of the plastic between the seatbelt and the inside of the car. It's totally unnoticable, and it gets great reception. Double sided tape holds it all together.

• Replace the plastic.

• Plug the head unit cable into the OmniFi controller box, and take it to the floor behind the center console.

• Replace your radio in the dash, and, if you unplugged things, don't forget you'll need to unlock it with the code, as shown in the instruction manual.

• Lastly, take the brackets that are attached to the faceplate mounting holder. Remove the screws, and then invert the brackets, so that the faceplace "hangs" from them. Don't worry, although they stick out a little, it's not too bad. Reattach the brackets upside down to the faceplate holder.

• Screw the faceplate holder underneath the center console, right above the cupholders. The cupholders were useless before, and now they're even more so :)

• Zip tie up the excess cable behind the dash plastic.

• Lastly, mount the "I - 0 - II" switch for the Soundgate somewhere. I mounted mine on the same small plastic piece that holds the center under-dash cigarette lighter. It's unobtrusive, and it makes it easy to access, even while driving, so I can switch between CD and OmniFi.

• If you want, there is a second set of inputs on the Soundgate SDS1V2. On the passenger side of the same plastic piece that holds the center 12V outlet and the I-0-II switch, I put a 1/8" mini stereo jack, and wired it up to the second set of RCA inputs on the Soundgate. Now I can plug in an iPod, phone, GPS, or anything else, and listen through the car speakers, if I want.