panasonic cx-dp610 6 disc cd changer

tips and advice

At the time of writing (2002), there are 2 basic options for Mk. IV Golfs, Bora/Jettas, New Beetles, and Passat B5 and 5.5s, regardless of whether they are equipped with the Monsoon package: the OEM VW CD changer, and the Panasonic CX-DP610 6 disc CD changer. The latter is VW's OEM CD changer for slightly less than half the price that it lists on VWoA's website ($350) for. The only difference between the CX-DP610 and the OEM CD changer is that the OEM changer comes with a DIN plug that will mate directly with the vehicle pre-wiring, whereas the CXDP-610 requires the use of an adaptor so that the vehicle pre-wiring can mate with the Panasonic plug.

The changer used in this car was ordered from Sound City and the adaptor from Crutchfield because the latter's price for the changer was $259 without shipping. Crutchfield has two different adaptors available, one which costs around $20 and the other around $40. The only difference is that the more expensive one allows the "Mix" feature to be used, all other headunit functions remain the same as they would be when connected to the OEM CD changer. The part number for the cheaper adapter at Crutchfield is 469VW98PN6. Several MY2001 owners have mentioned that the steering wheel controls can operate the CD changer, even if the base (cheapest) adaptor is used.

As mentioned above, this particular changer was ordered from Sound City in New Jersey. Apparently Sound City does not list the CX-DP610 on their site anymore, however there are two options. The first is to contact Sound City and see if they have it in stock, or run an internet search on "Panasonic", "Panasonic CX-DP610", "Panasonic CD changer", etc. and you will find lists of online retail sites. Just beware of disreputable places (i.e: The Camera Club). Most people have gotten the CD changer for anywhere between $200-250, depending on which adaptor they get.

This is a list of retailers that fellow VW owners have contributed:

If you would have had a good experience with a retailer not listed above, please submit it.

installation guide summary

The guide below should help you with installing your Panasonic CXDP-610 in your Mk. IV Golf or Jetta, New Beetle or B5/5.5 Passat. The same should work for basically any Volkswagen between MY2000 to the current cars.

This is essentially a plug and play procedure, however several parts are needed in order for the CD changer to work correctly. Besides the changer and the adaptor, purchasing the "CD changer mounting kit" is advised, this is available at your dealer. What they should give you for around $15-25 is two brackets and 8 screws. The part number for the actual brackets is KY0 1J0 035 234A, and a pair of them is required. Ask for the "CD changer mounting kit" before using the part number because the number refers to the bracket itself and not the entire kit. The other option is to modify the brackets included in the CX-DP610 box to fit the CD changer rack in the mounting rack.

tools needed

  • Philips head screwdriver

installation instructions

  1. Carefully remove the CD changer from the shipping boxes and set it aside for installation.
  2. Look at both sides of the changer and note that the brackets will line up with three screw holes on both sides of the CD changer.
  3. Use six of the screws to mount the brackets with the bracket mounting holes pointing outwards.
  4. Be sure to tighten the screws so that the changer does not move around when mounted in the car. Also, note which holes the bracket is screwed into in the photograph and make sure to mount the appropriate ones the same way.
  5. Unwrap the changer adaptor and study the plugs. The round end will go to the CD changer, and the rectangular end will go to the car wiring.
  6. Connect the car and changer to the adaptor, make sure all connections are secure and correct.
  7. Remove the car's prewiring plug from a dummy socket/holder. Simply squeeze the plug's lock/release clips together to remove it from its holder. Push the pre-wiring plug into the adapter socket (some force may be required), and it will click audibly into place. See large image below for details.
  8. After hooking the adapter up to both the changer and the car, slide the changer into its space in the car. The remaining two screws are to be used to secure the changer in the car.
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installation notes

  • Dealers have been known to try and persuade people that only VW's OEM CD changers work with the prewiring and that they have to be programmed once installed. It should take no more than five minutes in to install the CX-DP610 and the changer works immediately. In most cases it starts right up and plays fine after switching the headunit on for the first time.
  • The quickest way to test whether or not your headunit is preprogrammed to accept a CD changer is to press the "CD" button on your HU. If there is no changer connected a message similar to "No Changer" should appear, this means that the car recognizes the fact, and is preprogrammed.
  • There are no known aftermarket headunits which are compatible with the Panasonic CX-DP610 CD changer while using the factory prewiring.
  • The only aftermarket headunit that will be able to control the Panasonic CX-DP610 CD changer is a Panasonic headunit with CD changer controls connected to the changer with Panasonic's control cable.
  • Several 2001 owners have verified that the steering wheel controls do work with this changer even if the base (cheapest) adaptor is used.

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