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Add Some "BOOM" to
Your
Monsoon!!!
How to Add a Sub and
Amp to a
2001 Passat w/ Single DIN Monsoon
Click on the images for larger photos...use your back button to return to the site...
First I started wiring the car...I ran a 4 gauge power wire from the battery to the trunk. I ran the wire from the battery to a fuse holder and then through an existing grommet in the fire wall...I ran the wire down under the kick panel and under the trim along the drivers side and into the back seat area. I removed the rear seat and panel next to the rear 1/4 window and followed the existing wiring harness up into the trunk under the rear deck panel and mounted a power distribution block. I used 4 gauge and the distribution block because in the future I may add another amp and won't have to run another power cable...
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I then needed to capture the speaker level signal from the head unit to the monsoon amplifier. Some people capture the wire after the amp, but I used the input and it worked fine. I un-plugged the harness from the amp and pulled it out from behind the trim. I soldered and taped some speaker wire to the left and right rear wires...left=(blue+/brown-) & right=(green+/brown-). After completing all of the soldering and wiring, plugged everything back in and mounted a speaker/line level converter... AudioLinkII next to the monsoon amp and terminated the new speaker wire and ran the RCA's...
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Turn On Lead Option # 1 - I removed the changer and used the turn on lead from the CD changer harness. On the changer side, the wire is grey...but on the harness side, the wire is yellow. I soldered a new wire to the yellow and then wrapped it all back up, re-installed the changer and fished the new wire back up to the amp location. A friend of mine said not to rely on this wire for constant power, so I installed a Bosch relay (12V - 20/30A - 0 332 204 150) and ran this wire to it. Then I ran power from the distribution block to the relay and then on to the amp...so when the relay senses the power from the changer wire, the relay throws and switches over to the 12V connection...and no turn-on pop from the ignition!
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Update!!! Turn On Lead Option # 2 (Recommended) - I recently experienced problems to the changer harness method for power source after I installed the in dash CD player in combination with the trunk mount CD changer. this combination changes the turn on lead to constant 12v+ and the amp will stay on all the time! So, I have changed my turn on lead to run from the head unit and have eliminated the relay and changer harness connection. First start by purchasing the Blaupunkt Adapter (F00E500014) from Continental Imports.
Please note that the RCA's do not work on this harness unless you have the NON-Monsoon (I have been told). The only benefit to this adapter is that the blue turn on wire does work and can be used to provide a turn on lead to the amplifier. Remove the head unit and plug n' play this harness. Splice on a #12 or # 14 wire to the blue wire on the harness and run the wire along either side of the car to the trunk area and terminate to the turn on connection of your amplifier. The amplifier will now turn on and off directly from the head unit. Also note...this harness is not compatible with the double DIN Monsoon in the B5.5's...although Continental Imports may have a new harness that will work...so give them a call!
I then mounted my Zapco AG350 amplifier to the rear deck (BTW...this amp can be mounted upside down) and then wired it using 8 gauge from the distribution block and then installed the ground, turn on, RCA's and speaker wire...
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Now for the sub-woofers...I had 3-KEF B139 subs left over from a previous system, so I figured I would give them a new life in my Passat. They are basically equivalent to a 8" or 9" round sub...only oval. I built a new box that would fit in the trunk properly. The box is a down firing configuration with 3 separate sealed chambers that are 1 Cu. Ft. each...I know, a bit large, but that's what these subs like! The box turned out quite nice for my first attempt and now it was time to install the box into the trunk and fire it up...
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I turned all of the level controls on the converter and amplifier all the way down and then set the bass on the head unit to 0 and then cranked up the monsoon to a moderately high level. I then gradually adjusted the converter levels and gains until the desired amount of bass was obtained. The amp has a built in cross-over and level control that I adjusted as well. Adding this to the monsoon has made an incredible difference to the factory system. I have no engine noise, distortion, dimming lights, or problems with anything!!!
And all that I can tell you is...
What a Difference a Subwoofer Makes to the Monsoon!!!
Update!!! - I have removed this sub configuration and have replaced it with a JL Audio Stealthbox and am quite happy with the results. It does not hit quite as hard as the KEF subs...but it still does a pretty good job and I got my trunk back!!!! If you are interested in a nice sub box e-mail me and let me know...I am interested in selling this box w/ subs.
**Follow these instructions at your own risk...this web site is intended to provide advice only and is a summary of my experience with the install. This install is only compatible with the singe DIN Monsoon system on B5's only and does not apply to B5.5's and double DIN Monsoons (although some of the information will still apply).**
