Looking for 968 Radio Code or or Replacement Radio
 

I just found out why the code for my 968's radio won't work...the radio had been replaced by a PO who upgraded, then pulled his new radio before selling the car putting this old one back in. The code is lost. I don't know if the radio is really unaltered or not. All the speaker wires are marked. There's a multi-pin plug on on a cord coming out the back of the radio that's UPPLUGGED and marked POWER AMP. Is this normal? Anyone know if all stock radios have this or was this added by someone?

I have two choices...1) see if I can get the code for this radio (nearest Porsche dealer is 100 miles away) 2) or buy a replacement radio that will slide in and hook up easily to existing wiring. I'd opt for CD player this time. Anyone have one of these lying around for sale? Or recommendations for new? Or where I might reasonably get the code I need?
Thanks

AHA!!!!

If you look through the Crutchfield on-line catalog you should be able to find a servicable CD/radio for under $100. And, Crutchfield includes adapter harnesses to go between the factory wiring and the new head unit. That is what I did. The harness will requiring mating the plug/connector from the new head unit and the connector that mates with the factory connector. A little soldering and some shrink tubing or electrical tape and you're done. Now I think you understand that as flip as I sounded, I was speaking from experience. As for the POWER AMP connector, some auto radios come with a second chassis that consists of an additional amplifier. On most German cars this will be a connector with (if I remember correctly) ten pins. Unless you go that route, you will not need it. For example, the humble Panasonic CQ-C1200U has 50 watts at full volume x 4 channels.

Personally, I have found the factory radios on German cars to be nothing better than mediocure and one I would never steal in the first place. A removable face plate accomplishes the same purpose and is much less liable to failure.

I tried obtaining the code on such a unit and the dealer suggested sending it to a regional service facility. OF course, that was a number of years ago. You could try Porsche of America (or VW of America if the radios are made by the same Asian company)

As Bob says, they weren't much good anyway. The stock ones were Alpine and that's where you have to get the code from. The additional amp is option M494. There is also a CD changer option too.

Shouldn't be any reason why Crutchfields can't supply with a plug in radio.

Crutchfield can't help w/968 advice
 

I first looked at Crutchfield's web site and could find nothing referencing a radio fitment for the 968. Then I called them and they told me the same thing...they had no idea. Just what's on their web site is what the salesman knew. So I'm looking for someone who knows the 968 radio business.

Harvey

A 968 shouldnt be any different than any other radio installation.

If you purchase a conventional sized car stereo, its pretty straight forward. Remove old radio, then splice wires, and secure new radio. Some come with a metal cage that fits in the console that the radio is fastend to.

Not too familiar with the 968 center console. It is similar to the late model 994? If so, and you have that pocket underneath your current stereo, it is a straight forward rip and replace.

My first hands on stereo install was in the 944. An off the shelf panasonic head unit. Took longer to sort out the PO's bastardization of the speaker wires (front was back, right was left), then it took to do the actual install. If the wires under the dash are labeled (or if you can figure out what goes where) most new units will have all their wires labeled, so it is just a matter of matching up the correct wires. On most installs, you have a pair of wires for each speaker (+ and - for each front left, front right, back left and back right), then usually 2 12v power leads, one for constant power (saves the radio presets and clock time) and one power wire that is only live when the car is on. Throw in a ground wire, and another for the radio antennae, and that is it in a nutshell.

Go onto Crutchfield's web site. Punch in as your vehicle 1991 Porsche 944S2 (it's the same) and 90 different radio/cd are avialable.
Also the 964 uses the same radio system.

Good idea. Why didn't I think of that? (duh) I wish their salesman had known this. I'll go look.

Harvey