OK, I spent too many hours here, on clubb5, monsoon, Dr.Install, vw, and many other sites and could find NOWHERE a concise list of instructions and advice on installing to a 2000 VW Passat. So here goes.

I will update this later with pics, but it's actually not that hard now that I know the basics.

#1.) Figure out how you plan to direct the sound output.
The built-in Monsoon head unit does not have line-level or aux inputs, so you have to choose between getting a new HU, running the empeg as the HU or something more creative. The first two options involve ripping out or extensive rewiring of the system. The monsoon amp is 8 channels and takes speaker-level inputs (weird on both counts, but the system sounds AWESOME).

I chose to avoid that whole problem by installing what's called a Frequency Modulator. The rest of the instructions assume you will do the same – I’m not yet ready to replace the HU.

FM Modulator
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The FM unit plugs inline with your car's antenna and plays through an unused radio channel like 88.7Mhz. This works surprisingly well.

You can find FM Modulators at Crutchfield or on eBay for about $40 (look for XO Vision).

#2.) Get antenna adapters
The VW uses European connectors instead the usual bullet connector found on most stereos (and the FM modulator), so you need to buy converters for both ends (i.e. antenna -> euro-to-bullet connector -> FM Modulator -> bullet-to-euro connector -> Monsoon HU). I got these at Circuit City, but I’m sure Crutchfield has them too. About $35 for both. BTW, the VW has an amplified antenna, which means you tap one of the converters to +12VDC.

#3.) Wire that puppy
There are three connectors into the Monsoon HU, and it’s surprisingly difficult to find a complete pinout anywhere. So, I used a volt meter to figure out the wires that matter. The top, wide connector is used to control three external devices: the CD changer, a “display”, and an external amp. The latter two are not used in my car, but I’m sure the “display” is proprietary. The middle connector is speaker outs to the Monsoon amp. The connector that matters is the bottom one. I have attached a pic, but there are only 3 wires that matter: Power (+12V), the dimmer (arguable if it’s really needed), and ignition.

NOTE: Don’t mess with the K-LN – it’s the OBD connection, and I’m told the ECU can report weird things if the radio doesn’t report back properly. If you install an aftermarket HU, everyone seems to recommend disconnecting that wire altogether.

As for where to locate the sled, I replaced the cubbyhole that sits between the HU and the climate control interface. There’s plenty of room behind the climate control facia, but you’re going to need every bit of it to squeeze the god-awful mess of wires you now have.

I plan to run the empeg Aux input lines to a mini-jack located in the unused plate just below the passenger seat heater dial. Should be handy for other devices.

Still have figured out how I want to use the Mute function, but I have an idea I will share once I investigate.

Conclusion
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The sound quality is surprisingly good, and I haven’t even begun to adjust the levels. As time progresses, I will probably dial-in the levels (the FM modulator has an output level adjustment, the empeg has an output level adj., and there’s always the equalizer!). Eventually, I will replace the HU.

Have fun!

Looking at installing in the wife's 2001 Passat with Monsoon. Easily found amplified antenna adapter to feed to the FM Modulator, but how to get it to the Monsoon HU properly? Did you just convert with passive adapter? If so how do broadcast station's sound quality compare with the modulated empeg input?

-Cory

If the Passat's Monsoon is anything at all like the Jetta's, you can get a cable from Blitzsafe that fakes out the CD changer input for any RCA component. Someone else did that one the board here, and I plan to do it myself (if I keep my Jetta... lots of electrical problems!). The cable is around US$80 and is usually a special order. Check on forums.vwvortex.com and search on Blitzsafe or mp3 in the Car Audio section.