RNS-E installation guide for Audi A3/S3 Facelift

RNS-E installation guide for Audi

A3/S3 8L Facelift

This write up should give you all the information needed to install the RNS-E in your car from single to double DIN. If you have any other questions or are having problems please contact me on [email protected]. If you have any suggestions on how I can improve this guide please contact me as feedback to help others is important.

By Stephen Butterworth This eBook may only be used by customers that have paid for it. If you did not purchase this eBook or obtained it from another source, please e-mail me how you received it. I provide free technical support by e-mail so don’t hesitate to ask but cannot take any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

Page - 1 - of 34 Copyright steve1975l 2007 ©

mailto:[email protected]

Table of contents What do I need? ...................................................................................................... - 3 - Sourcing parts ......................................................................................................... - 6 -

Old parts .............................................................................................................. - 6 - Tools required ......................................................................................................... - 7 - How to remove single DIN cage............................................................................. - 9 -

Radio .................................................................................................................... - 9 - Remove glove box.............................................................................................. - 10 - Remove driver side trim panel......................................................................... - 11 - Removing storage compartment...................................................................... - 11 - Removing ashtray ............................................................................................. - 11 - Removing climate control module ................................................................... - 12 - Changing radio cages........................................................................................ - 12 -

Fitting new double DIN cage................................................................................ - 13 - Re fit the driver trim panel .............................................................................. - 14 - Refit glove box ................................................................................................... - 14 -

Trimming climate control module....................................................................... - 15 - Trimming the RNS-E............................................................................................ - 16 - Connecting to CAN behind cluster...................................................................... - 17 - Connections ........................................................................................................... - 20 - Coding the RNS-E (VAG-COM) ......................................................................... - 21 - Testing the RNS-E ................................................................................................ - 25 - Installing the RNS-E ............................................................................................. - 27 - Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................... - 28 - Additional information ........................................................................................... - 29 -


What do I need? RNS-E A4 but will need to be coded as A6 but definitely NOT A3 (round corners) part no. 8E0 035 192 with suffix letter C, D, H, K or N (latest highest letter)

GPS aerial a tax disc version is available if you prefer and you will get better results. The standard 8L with sat nav has a whip aerial which is slightly larger with GPS built in. You will need an extension cable for this.


Fakra connector to connect car aerial to RNS-E other empty plug is for a diversity antenna which is not used or some just have adaptor

DVD map 2007 2 disc set being the latest 8P0 060 884 M

RNS-E adaptor - for connecting car wiring loom to RNS-E quadlock


http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3928&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=backup

Double DIN cage to accept the RNS-E part no 8L0 858 005 A

Climate module 8L0 820 043K (optional) The colour of the older climate control is black and the new double DIN and some newer single DIN’s are a lighter colour almost grey. The picture below shows the colour differences. I understand that you can use Kiwi black sponge shoe polish to dye the RNS-E to match better but I have never tried it myself.


Sourcing parts Ebay is the best place to get a RNS-E expect to pay £400+ do plenty of research on seller. Some system will come with a DVD map, GPS aerial, RNS-E adaptor and Fakra connector. I have seen new maps go for silly money on Ebay the ones they give away can be old but good enough. There are backup versions around. The latest 2 part DVD comes with TMC a traffic avoidance system where it diverts you around hot spots automatically. VAGPARTS.com sell the cage and I have also seen them on Ebay.de. Search “Audi doppel DIN” Old parts I found that selling my old radio one EBay helped pay for part of the upgrade as when selling my car I would probably leave it in as I don’t want the hassle of changing it back. It might help sell it easier as it is becoming a must have. You should be able to get £50+ for a working radio and one that doesn’t have the erratic volume control fault.

ost CD changers will not work with the RNS-E so I decide to sell mine and got 100 for it. This will help pay for a few SD cards. The maximum size is 4gb but I ggest going for a smaller card. I have two 1gb SD cards and that is plenty of music

. The problem with a larger card full of music e RNS-E it will take longer to start with more information

M£sufor me and you can always change themis that each time you start thn the card. o


Tools required

he tools need to complete the retrofit may vary as people prefer to use different tools depends on what you feel comfortable using.

AG.com – to configure the RNS-E and car

Tit V

2 small flat blade screwdrivers – for getting the climate out

Small pliers – for crimping the connectors

hilips screwdriver – for removing the instrument cluster

P


Radio keys – for removing the old radio

Some wire – for connecting to the CAN bus

ire cutters – for stripping the wire for the CAN bus connections W

Torx T20 bit – All bolts are this size

remel - for modifying the climate and RNS-E

ate and RNS-E Razor blade – for getting rid of sharp edge when trimming of climate and RNS-E Soldering iron (not essential) – Soldering of crimps for extra good connection

D File – for fine tuning of trimming of clim


How to remove single DIN cage First we need to get the radio, old cage, storage compartment and climate module out

Radio Insert radio keys so that the straight edge is on the right Pull radio out and unplug connectors


Remove glove box Open passenger door and insert key in end panel slot and twist there are 3 clips that hold it in place

Remove 4 torx bolts at end of dashboard

Open glove box and remove 3 torx bolts


There is another torx bolt near middle tunnel and bottom

Remove driver side trim panel Open drivers door Insert key in end panel to remove and simply twist there are 3 clips that hold it in place

Remove 4 torx bolts at end of dash There is another torx bolt at the bottom by the clutch pedal There are 2 spring clips either side of the steering wheel a pull where the clips are should be enough to get the panel off Removing storage compartment To remove the storage compartment first open cover Insert small screwdriver into the two outer holes in the top of the storage compartment Carefully release the holding clasps and simultaneously pull the storage compartment out of the dash panel centre section

emoving ashtray o remove the ash tray use a screwdriver to release the claps down and pull out

RTashtray.


Removing climate control module

hey are 4 spring clips that hold the climate in place suggest using 2 screwdrivers to do one side at a time nplug the connectors

hanging radio cages e can now remove the old cage by undoing the torx bolts there are 2 awkward ones

ither side at the back. here are 2 torx bolts behind the hazard trim ull trim carefully from underneath it is held in place by clips

TI U CWeTP


Fitting new double DIN cage at hold the cage in place

There are 8 torx bolts th

Tighten the 2 torx bolts and the back bottom of the cage


Then tighten the 6 remaining torx bolts

Re fit the driver trim panel Squeeze the clips that hold the trim in place a bit so that is holds it tight A push with your hand will get these back in Put torx bolt back near clutch pedal leave loose Put the 4 torx bolts back at the end and leave loose Tigthen all torx bolts Put cover back on by locating the 3 clips Refit glove box If you can leave this undone the better but you might need to drive to see someone with VAG-COM in which case I would re-fit it It is easiest to start with the middle screw inside the glove but leave loose Put all remaining 2 torx bolts slightly in Put torx bolt by tunnel in 4 torx bolt and end Tighten them all up Put cover back on by location the 3 clips


Trimming climate control module You can buy the correct climate control that fits in the lower section of the centre console off Ebay for around £100. I think it is better to trim the one you have. I found the best tool is a dremel. A clean work bench is essential as is a towel to prevent damage to the climate control as is covering the edges of the centre console.

I covered the holes up with low tack masking tape to cover up any holes as you don’t want dust going inside. I also covered the front to prevent scratches.

t the back of the guide there is a real size template. I have put the sizes on so that printed picture is the right size.

ts in the hole where the climate will go. h shape. I used the cutting disc on

y of the excess plastic. I then used off to get closer to the ideal shape. By offering it up to the hole

ime consuming job but patience is require to et a good job. You can rotate the unit 180 degrees and insert it backwards otherwise

n too far and it is a pain to get back out again. I then used a blade at

Ayou can double check that the I made a template out of cardboard so that it fiYou can draw round this on the tape to get a rougthe dremel to cut near the line to remove the majorita file to smoothen thisand filing to get the exact shape can be a tgyou may push it i45 degrees to get rid of the sharp edge.


Trimming the RNS-E

panel

masking tape. I offered the unit up backwards and marked the positions of the centre console. I could trim the excess off so that I could still see the line. I then filled it smooth and kept filling it and offering it up until the gap around the unit was uniform. I then used a blade to get rid of the sharp edge.

Covering the RNS-E is essential as it is expensive and you don’t want to damage it with a scratch. I used some cardboard to protect the screen and covered the front

ith masking tape. I used a fruit bag from a supermarket to cover the back of the unit wand held it in place with


Connecting to CAN behind cluster

The CAN is the way the car communicates e are trying to get the RNS-E to

l over steering wheel surround

. W

communicate with the instrument cluster (DIS). We need to run to wires from the back of the cluster to the radio area. By linking them together we can get navigation instructions, radio information displayed in the DIS. 1) Lower steering wheel and put a towe 2) Pull trim panel above steering wheel and it should just slide out

3) There are 2 big Philips screws at the bottom but make sure you have the right river they are very tight so you don’t want to lose the head d

) Slide cluster carefully forward

) Unclip all 3 of the connectors by lifting purple retaining clip to undo connectors

) The middle grey connector is the one you want to connect to CAN bus so cut cable e

) Slide purple end piece towards pins

4 5 6ti 7


8) Slide connector out of housing

9) In one of the other connectors there are 2 spare pins that are unused so we can these rather than buying 2 pins from Audi

use

10) You will need some wire to make the connections 11) Twist the wires together 12) Strip the wire and crimp the wire to the pins 13) It’s a good idea to solder these as well for a better connection 14) Insert the wires Pin 5 is CAN High and pin 6 is CAN Low of grey middle connector

r taking a note or label which is high or low

ting a GPS aerial in which cable back to radio

19) Connect the wire into the quadlock harness 20) Check car and DIS functionality and everything works OK 21) For a better install you can wire a male/female connector near the adaptor

15) Put the connector back togethe 16) Use a cable tie to hold the wires in place around the connector 17) Put the 3 connectors in the relevant sockets carefully 18) Slide cluster back into it’s position unless you are fitcase put at top on the metal bar and feed


22) Double check you have the CAN bus wire round the right way


Connections I suggest double checking the connections here first as you don’t want to damage the

NS-E. I have put a list of the pin outs at the back of this guide. Things to watch out r are the grounding of the Bose pin if you have Bose. Sometimes this is missed and ill cause errors later.

Rfow


Coding the RNS-E (VAG-COM)

witch ignition on lick on Select Control Module at the top left

If you don’t have VAG-COM contact someone on this list under UK. http://www.steve-hall.com/cgi-bin/VAG-Locator.pl Connect cable to PC and diagnostics port under steering wheel Open VAG-COM and sC

Click on group 17 Instruments


Select channel 62

Add +4 to the value that is there already

Click Save and done, go back


Click on group 56 or 37 Radio / Navigation

Click function Recode - 07

Code it for an A6 so code is 0509111 for Bose no CD no telephone

hile in 56 or 37 function 10

hannel 1 change to 1930 for standard S3 tyres 225/45/17

W C


Check channel 3 should be 1 (language UK) Hopefully you will have time to test the RNS-E and then clear any DTC you may have.


Testing the RNS-E

t everything up just push it half in to start with to make sure everything is orking. Turn the ignition on and the RNS-E should turn on if it doesn’t there is a roblem with the coding for the CAN bus.

nter pin will say enter PIN us the wheel and enter the first digit push the knob to enter the umber. Once the PIN is entered it should take you to a different screen. If it stays on e code entry screen press and hold RADIO + SETUP this will reboot the unit and ould get rid of the code looping. If it still code loops check that the unit is coded for

n A6. The RNS-E needs to register with the ECU and it has been known to take a w hours to do this.

PS check ress NAV and then press the button to the left of the knob to go into nav info. Move e knob slightly and at the bottom on the list is satellites this will tell you how many

ou are picking up. You need at least 3 to get a fix although it can take up to 10 inutes for the first time to get a fix.

IS check Check that information is coming through to the DIS in the middle it should say a

irection and eventually a road name at the bottom. The top line is radio or MP3 track info. By clicking SETUP when in NAV menu you can select the compass on or off.

CAN OK Connecwp EItnthshafe GPthym D

d

Compass on will show the road name and compass on will show the title of the MP3 t the top line. a


Compass off will show information as before the upgrade Pressing the button under the stalk when the compass is on or in navigation mode goes to normal DIS mode then off.

Clock problem The latest software displays the time on the RNS-E the only problem being that 99% of the time the clock will be wrong and it will be a factor of 6 out. There is a fix available to stop the channel with the clock time coming from the instrument cluster via CAN. This will force the RNS-E to revert back to getting the time from the GPS. I have never bothered with this as it is about $150. As the clock on the RNS-E has the wrong time the time displayed to destination in the DIS will be wrong as well. This hasn’t been a problem for me as looking at the clock on the RNS-E and then looking t the time on the DIS and working out how long to destination.

ard MP3 Playlists on SD cards can be done by using tag & rename to specify track names. Put all tracks in root. Use tag & rename to order the tracks and create a playlist. Save playlist on the root of the SD card. Insert SD into RNS-E select CD/TV and press DRIVE and scroll down to the playlist you want and press SETUP and change option to “track name” not “file name”.

a Playlist on SD c


Installing the RNS-E

You will need to remove the glove box to fit the unit in it’s home position. It is very easy to squash some cables. Make sure the radio and GPS connectors are pushed down by the climate. The adaptor needs to go on the left hand side and it is possible to help the adaptor along by putting your hand up where the glove box was. Once it has clicked home in all four corners you can re-fit the glove box. Use strip that came at the bottom of the RNS-E to fill the gaps at the top. If you haven’t got this strip B&Q do a 5mm aluminium strip that will fit the gap perfectly. Mine is an A6 unit hence the big gap filled with a silver strip but you get a much better fit with an A4 unit.

FINISHED!


Troubleshootin RNS-E locks up Try rebooting by holding RADIO + SETUP

Are any of the buttons stuck?

g

Are you in MP3 play mode in which case it will take a few minutes to start playing

VAG-COM no response from controller

Verify that the VAG-COM is working by opening another controller like 35 central locking Verify that the K line on pin B5 to III pin 3 is connected properly


Additional information RNS-E pin outs RNS-E Concert

A: Speaker Connecter (front passive speakers) 1 - N.C. (NC = Not Connected) - 2 - Right Front (+) II pin 3 RF+ 3 - Left Front (+) II pin 5 LF+ 4 - N.C. - 5 - N.C. - 6 - Right Front (-) II RF- 7 - Left Front (-) II LF-

B. EXT Control Conn tor (CD Changer, PhatBox, OEM SAT tuner, Dension IceLink etc.) ec1 - Most Ring break (Used for MOST network diagnostics to "break" the MOST ring; This

ill never be used in any RNS-E insta date) -

w ll to2 - CDC-NF GND (audio ground for CD changer; this should NOT be connected to any

assis ground source) -

ch3 - V-Signal (analog speed signal or GALA in B5, C5 and D2 chassis) III pin 1 4 - U14R-2 (Constant power source for CD changer, phatbox, oem or aftermarket ipod

terface etc) -

in5 - K-Line (K-line diagnostic; needed to configure your RNS-E via a VAGCOM) III pin 3 6 - CDC-Data out - 7 - *BOSE Pin (ground pin if you have a Bose system) Connect to ground for Bose 8 - CDC-NF L.IN - 9 - CDC-NF R. IN - 10ip

- U14 ST CDC (Ignition/accessory power for CD changer, phatbox, oem or aftermarket od interface etc)

-

11 - CDC -Data IN - 12 - CDC- Data CLK -

C: EXT Control Connector (For Bose or Non-Bose Amp, telephone interface) 1 - **MIC IN (-) (Used for OEM Bluetooth kit when SDS is factory installed) - 2 - *RFSL (Analog reverse signal) Not used 3 - Line Out FL (front left audio signal) I pin 4 4 - **MIC Out (-) (Used for OEM Bluetooth kit when SDS is factory installed) - 5 - Line Out RL (rear left audio signal) I pin 6 - TEL NF IN (-) (Telephone speaker negative input) - 7 - **MIC IN (+) (Used for OEM Bluetooth kit when SDS is factory installed) - 8 - Line Out GND (audio ground) I pin 3 9 - Line Out FR (front rear audio signal) I pin 5 10 - **MIC Out (+) (Used for OEM Bluetooth kit when SDS is factory installed) - 11 - Line Out RR (rear right audio signal) I pin 2 12 TEL NF IN (+) (Telephone speaker positive input) Tel + in

D: Power Connector 9 - CAN-H Instrument cluster 10 - CAN-L Instrument cluster 11 - TEL-Mute (Telephone mute connection) Mute III pin 2 12 - Kl.31 (Primary ground connection) III pin 8 13 - U14 ST DSP (Radio On) (Provides a switched ignition-out source to turn on rear amplifier (bose too) or "remote" lead for an aftermarket amp)

I pin 6

14 - DWA-GND (Alarm ground) III pin 8 15 - Kl.30 (Constant 12V power source) III pin 7 16 - U14R-1 (N.C.) -



Connector I 1 Line out LR 2 Line out RR 3 Speaker ground 4 Line out LF 5 Line out RF 6 +12v switched 7 Can high (if lucky if not behind cluster) 8 Clock 9 Data 10 Enable 11 Remote 12 Can low (if lucky if not behind cluster) 13 CD Data in 14 CD data out 15 CD clock 16 CD +12 17 CD ACC control 18 CD signal ground 19 CD Left 20 CD right Connector II 1 - 2 - 3 FR+ 4 FR- 5 FL+ 6 FL- 7 - 8 - Connector III 1 Gala speed signal 2 Mute 3 K line diagnostics 4 +12v switched 5 - 6 Illumination 7 +12v 8 Ground


Additional information on VAG-COM

1790 - 145/80 R14 (Sommerreifen)

5 R15 (Sommerreifen)




erreifen)


1818 - 205/40 ZR17 (Sommerreifen)



erreifen)

erreifen)













1775 - 155/65 R15 (Winterreifen)












- 235/50 R18 (Winterreifenn)

0 R17 (Winterreifen)

Tyre sizes

1815 - 165/6

1910 - 205/60 R15 (Somm

1930 - 225/45 R17 (Somm

2074 - 225/55 R17 (Somm

19

20

206

204

2114

1940 - 255/4


Channel 62 +01 - Radio+02 - Telefo

n

+04 - Navigation +08 - Telematics +16 - Instrument Cluster To add navigation, add +4 t

Function 7 cod 0?xxxxx: Model 1 - Lamborghini 2 - Audi A3 (8P) 3 - Audi A4 (> 2004) 4 - Audi A4 Cabriolet (> 2005 - Audi A6 (< 2004) 6 - Audi TT (> 2007) (sw US7 - Audi R8 (sw US 0150+, E 0x?xxxx: Diagnostics for 0 - activ 1 - inactiv 0xx?xxx: Sound character0 - linear 1 - Audi A4 (> 2004) 2 - Audi A6 (< 2004) 3 - Audi A4 Cabriolet (> 2004 - Audi TT (> 2004) 5 - Audi A3 (8P) 9 - Bose Soundsystem 0xxx?xx: Telephone/telem1 - no telephone (supply volt2 - Mobile phone preparation actively) 3 - Mobile phone preparation inactively) 4 - Mobile phone preparation ctively) 5 - Telematics Europe (supply vo6 - Telematics US (supply vo7 - Base plate diagnostic capa 0xxxx?x: Options I 1 - default 2 - Digital-Radio 3 - Satelite-Radio 4 - Satelite- and Digital-Radio 0xxxxx?: Options II 1 - default

- CD-Changer - TV-Tuner and CD-Changer - Multifunction Steering Wheel - TV-Tuner and Multifunction Steering Wheel - CD-Changer and Multifunction Steering Wheel - TV-Tuner, CD-Changer und Multifunction Steering Wheel

o the current value.

ing

4)

0150+, EU 0500+) U 0500+)

front speakers

istics

4)

atics age for microphone actively) (Temic - Speisesp. Microphone in (Cullmann - Speisesp. Microphone (Nokia - Speisesp. Microphone ina

ltage microphone inactively) ltage microphone inactively) ble with comfort control

2 - TV-Tuner 345678


To scale (check 79mm high by

227mm) Further checks can be made by inserting it into dash.


Documents

RNS-E installation guide for Audi A3/S3 Facelift