How to swap a non-working radio?

Tiny
MICHAEL DIEBOLL
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 130,000 MILES
Hello, what do I need to know to replace a broken factory radio with a used radio from another car of the same make, model, and year? Will it work?
Sunday, February 26th, 2023 AT 9:24 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 795 POSTS
Hello,

Fitting a used, original, radio from another VW vehicle will not work for security reasons.
When the factory radio is installed into the vehicle it is mated to the vehicle with VIN and cannot be swapped to another vehicle. If the radio from the other VW is not original then yes, it should work
Your best bet would be to get a new, good aftermarket radio.
A new radio would ensure that you a have a warranty on the product you are fitting.
There are many suppliers out there which offer direct replacement radios for your vehicle.

A good video:
https://youtu.be/iXie9akwNXs

Cheers, Boris
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL DIEBOLL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Will it work if I have the VIN from the Jetta I got the radio from?
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 795 POSTS
Hello,

A used, original VW will come up with "Component protection" once installed in your vehicle. This is because the radio is seeing that it has been installed in another, unknown, vehicle. This could be deactivated using VW dealer tool, ODIS.

A good video:
https://youtu.be/dvJweDBXgpw

Also, you would require the radio's security pin code once the radio has been enabled with ODIS.

Cheers, Boris
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Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 AT 3:45 AM

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