How to Add an Auxiliary Jack for an MP3 Player to a VW Beta Car Radio

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Remove the radio using two VW Beta radio removal keys.

   You can hack together these keys by starting with two PC expansion port covers and stripping the metal from them until they fit in the radio release holes in the radio and CD Player.
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   Step 2: Test the cables to find which are the left and right audio channels.

   ,,, Wire the switch to the left and right audio. , Putting it about halfway down the cable should allow you to mount the switch in the car dash. ,, Tease the wires out of the shielding until you see the grey and white audio wires you want. , Do the same with same with the grey wire shielding.
   
   This will ensure you maintain the best signal down the wires. ,, You can cannibalize a set of headphones or buy one in Radio Shack.
   
   Solder the wires from the headphone jack to the other side of the switch. ,, You can use one of the spare button bays in the car for the switch, if you wish. ,,,
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   Step 3: Identify and examine and pull out the extension cable.

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   Step 4: Select a switch to wire into the extension cable that will allow you to flick it one way to get audio from the CD player and the other to get audio from the MP3 player.

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   Step 5: A DPDT switch allows you to connect two input wires and switch between them for the output from the switch.

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   Step 6: Measure where on the extension cable you will put the switch.

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   Step 7: Notice how the wires are protected by shielding to avoid interference from the car engine.

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   Step 8: Don't cut the shielding as that will prevent it from functioning.

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   Step 9: The white and grey wires are also shielded

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    Step 10: so make sure you strip back the wire a bit and reconnect the white wire shielding on one side to the white wire shielding on the other side.

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    Step 11: Solder the wires to the switch.

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    Step 12: Locate the correct headphone jack.

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    Step 13: Go out to the car and plug it all in to check if it works.

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    Step 14: Thread the new cable through the dash.

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    Step 15: Weave the auxiliary jack out the side of the dash to the driver's side foot well; this wire then tucks neatly into the ridge between the two floor panels

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    Step 16: leaving you with an aux input lead sitting by your cigarette lighter.

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    Step 17: Connect the CD player jack into one end of the extension cable and plug the other end into the Radio.

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    Step 18: Re-jig the wiring behind the radio so it will all fit

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    Step 19: then taping up the wires by the switch and you will have yourself a fully working auxiliary input.

Detailed Guide

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