Quick Question,<p>Tonight I tried to install my Panasonic DP-601EUC CD changer in my A4. <br>Upon install I heard a slight pop noise (seemed to come from the rear speakers) when I <br>plugged the CD changer in and all of a sudden my radio is blank (still lit) no display at all, <br>even the cassette player doesn't work (just makes a clicking noise). What happened? I <br>checked the fuse and it's fine. Is there another fuse somewhere? Please don't tell me the <br>radios toast.

Dude,<br>I've got a 98 A4 1.8Tq, and though it might not be related specifically to your problem, after installing an Alpine disc changer in my ride, now I can't even get a damn radio station in my car!<br>I went back to the shop that did the work and basically said, "Hey, what the F***?!" and got nowhere with them. I went to the dealer where I bought my car and they want like, $80.00 to diagnose the problem. Understandably, I'm pretty pissed...what I've been told by others is that the stock radio system in our car basically sucks, and this is confirming it for me...<br>Sorry for the rant that probably didn't help you out, but I'm ready to chuck my radio too, bro.<br>Good luck. If you hear of anything, maybe you could give me a buzz...<br>Take care,<br>Damian<br>

Damian,<p>What type if CD changer did you have installed? Did it hook right into the Audi factory CD changer wiring harness, or was it an after market type that connected to the radio antenna and plays the music thru a radio station on the FM tuner? <p>I can take a guess and say it is the second???? right?

Sounds like you didn't follow the basic rule of disconnecting the radio and/or the battery before connecting components. Aside from the lecture, you'll be lucky if it's just a fuse. More than likely you blew the radio. For some reason, the Audi radio seems to be overly sensitive and has a tendency to blow on the slightest discharge. I know somebody that had this happen more than once. The radio had to be completely replaced.<p>My sympathy and good luck.

Do I have to disconnect the battery if I install the CD player? Also, how would you disconnect the radio? Thanks.

I did not disconnect the battery when I installed my CD changer. However, I did have the radio turned OFF when I installed it. It sounds like the original poster (Vince) may have had his radio turned on when he plugged the changer in (he mentioned he heard a pop from a rear speaker when he plugged in the changer). I don't know of any way to disconnect the radio...perhaps one of the fuses controls just the radio? I'd check your manual. Of course, you'll have to enter your security code into the radio when you power it back up.<p>That being said, it's easy enough to disconnect the battery for a little piece of mind.<p>Andy Hedin<br>'97 1.8Tqms<br>

It's not really a matter of "do I have to." It's really a matter of whether or not you should. Although some may disagree or comment that disconnecting the battery is overkill, I tend to believe that loosening one simple bolt on the positive connector to the battery is much less hassle than to have to return your expensive equipment. Almost every installation guide (car electronics) suggests that one should always disconnect the battery before proceeding with the installation. What's the old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. That applies to this as is evident by what happened to this individual's radio. I'm quite confident that if he/she had disconnected the battery and/or the radio, this would not have happened.<p>Re Disconnecting the Radio: You will have to have special "keys" (for lack of a better word) that insert into the two slots located on the bottom of the radio to remove it.<p>Bottom line: Take every precaution to protect your equipment.<p>Good luck