I went last week to smog my car and the shop claimed that the machine broke due to my car not having the factory stereo installed. I read up and confirmed this was true.

I got very lucky because the shop that installed my stereo swapped the factory unit in and back out after I passed smog for free.

So FYI keep your stock radios if you have an aftermarket one...I almost threw mine away, but luckily I kept it.

 

What does the factory radio have to do with passing the smog test? I just got my car inspected about a week before i swapped the radio out, guess i got lucky =/

 

I guess they have to plug in some electronic equipment to get certain readings and if the stock radio isn't in than it prevents the machine from getting any readings.

 

yea, some people have had issues connecting ob2 scanners and vag cables with an aftermarket radio

this is why i keep all of my stock stuff

 

I keep all my stock stuff too, mostly because I'd be able to make more money selling the aftermarket stuff seperate from the car if i were to ever sell the car. (works every time ;-)) but i've used vag com several times since i got my aftermarket deck, so i dunno. Lazer, where'd you get your wheels i want them lol.

 

Oh great, I'm screwed then. I am runnig out of stock stuff. Oh! Wait! We don't have emissions tests here. HAHAHAHA.

 

lol bastard!

 

So if vag-com works with an aftermarket stereo does that mean you should be good to go for emissions test?

 

radio uses something called a K-line.
thats about all i know.

I put an aftermarket radio in my 99 2.8q and my vag-com works fine.

 

The radio is integrated into the factory OBDII diagnostics. Removing it upsets the K-wire.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html