2005 A6 Bluetooth Module replacement.

[Lbcvantage]

My car is currently drying out after water has come in and flooded the rear passenger foot well. I'm getting a message saying there is no Telephone installed on my MMI screen despite it having bluetooth and working fine before the water damage. I understand from other threads the problem will be water in the Bluetooth Module as its very near the water affected area, so my question is how easy is it to replace? Is it just plug in and go or am I best going to the dealer? What sort of cost can I expect? Car is a 2005 (feb) 2.7 TDi S Line. As I said it connected via Bluetooth though there is a cradle in the arm rest that I have never used. Anyone done the job before? :confused:

[Guest 2]

the module will be under the carpet under the front passenger seat - get the part number off it and get a like for like, you will need it coded with vcds.

[Lbcvantage]

I'll have to put a snorkel on to get it out at the min. After I'm confident the water issue is solved I'll dig it out to replace. Will it need coding by a dealer or will any Audi specialist be able to do it? Any clue on price??

[gupsterg]

You can code with VCDS... if you don't have Chris have members with it in his sig... if you need any coding info on Rosstech site link:- Audi A6/S6/RS6/allroad (4F) - Ross-Tech Wiki (http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Audi_A6/S6/RS6/allroad_%284F%29)

At mo can't remember if it have component protection, but can check tomorrow or perhaps another will come along with answer...

[Lbcvantage]

Just thinking outside the box... is there an aftermarket option you've heard of that will allow me to play music from my iphone via bluetooth that integrates into the cars MMI? Lack of ipod dock is rather frustrating.

[Guest 2]

you can add audi music interface if you have mmi high and then pay an addtional £100 odd for the wireless bt dongle

but you cn have the calls enabled via the car bt and music diverted through the ami

[Lbcvantage]

I think my car has MMI 2G High (colour screen nav disc in boot). You know of anyone in Yorkshire that could undertake such a project?

[Guest 2]

You can do it yourself.

Just buy the AMI and either swap it for the CD changer or have both in your glovebox.

[Lbcvantage]

Thanks Chris... Given my BT module is water damaged and I will require a replacement I'm thinking this is an opportunity to get a combined BT and ipod unit that integrates into my MMI. Just spoke to a gent that says the Dension 500s is the way to go. Price fitted and coded is £465 which seems reasonable? I'm guessing a new Audi BT unit wouldn't be far off and I'd still have to get the ipod intergrated.

[Guest 2]

No problemo - its your money afterall!

I prefer OEM but thats just me.

You will need a MMI bridge loop if you remove the audi bt module.

Dension 500s will do everything you need it to do Gateway 500S BT (http://www.dension.com/product/gateway-500s-bluetooth)

[gupsterg]

Price fitted and coded is £465 which seems reasonable? I'm guessing a new Audi BT unit wouldn't be far off and I'd still have to get the ipod intergrated.

You could be looking at £200 for genuine BT from ebay... it looks like there is no CP just coding needed... then AMI going to be £250 to £300... plus getting fitted or hassle of fitting yourself...

The Dension is a very economical/functional unit to use plus it will be away from water... IIRC it can be located behind glovebox...

Some say quality of BT on Dension may not be same as OEM but depends how much you going to use...

Some prefer AMI over Dension (menu/MP3 tag display)... but at a cost...

[Lbcvantage]

Thanks guys, the phone is necessary but its all about the music for me but am keen to keep the functions as near to factory fit as poss, the Dension also has the option to add DAB down the line fairly easily. Would I need to bypass the original BT module even though its dead due to drowning? MMi screen says I have no telephone installed :( so it looks like its gone forever.

[Lbcvantage]

In the process of drying the car out and the MMI has gone... Blank screen no lights on controls, the system tried to start a couple of times but didn't get beyond the "MMI Audi" screen,tried a reset but no joy. The car is virtually dry and MMI has been fine throughout. Could it overheat? Or could BT module failure knock it out? I'm pulling my hair out here..

[Guest 2]

Dd you pull the bt module?

If so the mmi loop is not complete and the system won't start.

[Lbcvantage]

No. The system said there was no telephone installed so presumed it was broken but the MMI continued to work fine so thought BTM could stay in situ. You think bypassing the module will sort it? Will it require seat removal & will this throw up airbag errors etc? My tech skills are v limited.

[Guest 2]

No. The system said there was no telephone installed so presumed it was broken but the MMI continued to work fine so thought BTM could stay in situ. You think bypassing the module will sort it? Will it require seat removal & will this throw up airbag errors etc? My tech skills are v limited.

Sounds like the module is completely dead now.

If you were to remove the module you will need a MOST bridge loop Notes on MOST bridge adapters / loopback connectors for Audi cars with MMI (e.g. Audi A6) - Audi A6 Q7 A8 A4 A5 Retrofit Jälkiasennus Nachrüsten Retro-fit (http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/audimmimostbridge.html) to complete the fibre optic ring which the mmi uses.

Once you have this in place or another audi bt module the system will start again.

As far as I know it requires the seat to come out. Remember to disconnect the battery.

You will get a ESP and steering error when you reconnect the battery but do a lock to lock on the steering and go a short drive and it will go away.

[gupsterg]

P/N for MOST Bridge 4E0 973 802 about a £10 IIRC from dealer...

Ref photos here for trim removal to remove carpet Link:- a6 washer fault (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?135137-a6-washer-fault&p=733892#post733892)

There is a link in that post concerning front seat removal as well...

[Lbcvantage]

Cheers guys. Is it a straight forward fit? Will it require errors clearing afterwards do you think?

[gupsterg]

The bridge will just plug into the fibre optical cables to create the loop, you will not need faults cleared for MMI to work...

When disconnecting battery place an object on boot lip so you don't close it, the boot release is electronic and if you don't have folding seats you'll be stuck...

[Lbcvantage]

Good tip on the boot lid. Could have been a bit embarrassing.

[Lbcvantage]

Quick update.
Spoken to the boffins at Audio Images in Bradford and booked the car in on Monday. First job, bypass the BT Module then (Pray to Audi Gods) if the MMI restarts the Dension 500s is going in. If the MMI doesn't start then I'm stuck. In other news the car is nearly dry :confused:

[gupsterg]

So I'm guessing you are going to do bypass of BT?

How are you drying carpet?

[Lbcvantage]

So I'm guessing you are going to do bypass of BT?


How are you drying carpet?

Yes. First job to hopefully get the MMI working again.. (fingers crossed). Then the Dension will replace it and allow me to play music from my iPhone using the cars system.

I've rigged a system that lifts the carpet where the two exit holes for the rear blowers are. This allows the heater to blow into the cavity created below the carpet. I've had the car running with heat on full forcing hot air under the rear carpet (about 15 hours so far). Its the best I can do without removing the interior. Is there anything else except the BT unit under there Gup?

[gupsterg]

Its the best I can do without removing the interior.

Everytime I've done it with hair dryer, first blow hot air to dry surface of sponge then switch to cold blow and you will find water reappear due to capillary action of the sponge also squeeze any large shapes in the sponge but be gentle as sponge does tear or peal from carpet when wet and be careful of shaping plastic inserts in carpet if not lifted correctly will tear out...


Is there anything else except the BT unit under there Gup?

No mate just the BT, I would also seal the wiring harness plug which go to BT module so no water/moisture can result in shorts as that will have CAN network connections,etc,etc...

[Lbcvantage]

Ever considered a job fixing Audis? Seems to be your forte...

[gupsterg]

LMFAO :) ... I'm slowly losing the will to live because my car :Blush2: ... if it wasn't for VWAF! I think the men in white coats would have taken me ;) ...

The other silver lining is helping another :) ...

[Lbcvantage]

I understand. Its just when ever I speak to dealers/garages Im left with little confidence. There is defo a shortage of people that actually know what they are talking about. Seems old fashioned mechanics are long gone and replaced with technicians that stare at a laptop all day. The amount of times I've took one of our fleet in to a dealer and they dont even pop bonnet... Technology is king I guess.

Will post more on Monday after Audio Images have had a play...

[Lbcvantage]

Just to finish off this thread. BT module was removed and coded out which got the MMI back up and running. The Dension 500s works fine but people should make sure their MMI Software is up to date ie version 5570 (Discs are £5.61 plus VAT from Audi... Stay off eBay) before install.

As always thanks to Chris, Gup & the gang for their help..