Google maps not loading

[nicegraham]

Hi All,

I'm having a problem with google earth / maps whereby it won't load. I'm on k900 firmware with 6.22.4 maps. I updated the green menu to allow me to use sim for data and bluetooth for calls. Audi connect works and I can retrieve "online destinations" but the Google Earth option in the nav settings is greyed out, I can select it but when I go back to the maps screen its still showing the default maps. The google icon is on screen but it's light grey apart from the G which is white - I've read this is how it indicates loading.

Is there something else I'm missing?

cheers,
Graham

[AT.]

Is there something else I'm missing?

Maybe your problem is simple: It could take a long time until Google maps will be loaded. it could take even a minute with a 2G connection. In this case your screen will change to the regular maps, and will turn back to Google Maps when MMI finish the download. In this case, everything should act as you described the issue. If this is your case, than this is the normal behaviour.

[nicegraham]

Well it's on 3G and I was out driving for about 90 minutes earlier and it didnt seem to make any progress... I'll leave it on but I'm not sure it's working tbh.

[nicegraham]

Well it's on 3G and I was out driving for about 90 minutes earlier and it didnt seem to make any progress... I'll leave it on but I'm not sure it's working tbh.

[noscream]

I'm on 3G (4G Sim running 3G data EE),
The Google text logo does light up White when fully loaded and mid/dark grey when not loaded.
When loading the progression is marked by more parts of the "Google" text turning white (like you have seen).

My 2011 system takes approx 3 mins to load from cold to full Google earth type map view.
If I've pulled up to a destination like a supermarket & come back 20 mins later, the start up time for Google to overlay is Zero.

Either your "SIM" / "DATA SIM" is struggling to pull data or is stuck with connecting.
Now does the MMI ask you to authorise the opening of a "DATA CONNECTION", if so then your SIM is connected, if not then you have either turned off the warning previously (never to ask again) or your SIM has no data allowance.

I've had one problem (well 2 problems) over the time with "AUDI CONNECT" and "DATA", firstly I use to run only "THREE PAYG" SIM and it worked flawlessly for a year, but then Google DATA started to become slow and I could see delays in my updated actual position and what was being displaced, then the system would catch up and run normally for a miniute then freeze etc... I turned off Google map overlay and all was fine. The Second problem was with the Audi "Traffic licence expiring" which is a different path.

Anyway, I went out and bought 5 different PAYG SIM's as I wanted to know if "Three" had in effect started throttling data (my PAYG SIM had £26 of credit left). I tried another THREE SIM, same problem, I tried a "EE" SIM and initially I had the same issue but it was less prevalent, so I stayed with it and generally over the next few days the SATNAV Google data became smooth again. So I've stuck to the EE SIM with £5 credit and will keep monitoring.

1. The point is, on 3G the Google data on COLD start should not take longer than approx 3 mins to connect & Download live map overlay.
2. The Signal on the SIM which is in my car for DATA (std PAYG SIM voice/text/data) is normally 4-5 bars (full)
3. One year of driving every day, streaming the new google data (as it's not cached for any length) used a total of 560MB.

Basically to eliminate your DATA CONNECTION/SIM, go buy a 99p SIM (that has DATA as part of the top-up Allowance) and stick £5 credit on it.
Then stick it in your car and it should ask if you want to open a DATA connection once you goto SATNAV (or Google tried to connect DATA), then try that ! total cost of test £6.

Remember to get a multi size SIM to fit the slot or a STD "MINI SIM"

If this SIM works ok, you know the problem is with your old SIM.
If this SIM has the same issue, then you know the problem is in your MMI/MMI settings/Setup.

I would recommend a "EE" PAYG SIM, I got mine @ Carphonewarehouse and they charged my £10 because it is sold with £10 of credit which then also add free credit too... at the end of activation month the free credit resets but your paid credit stays. I recommend them because they run the strongest 4G DATA network, which means you will connect from the CAR via 3G (car module is 3G) and pull DATA @ 3G speeds but their DATA network in the air is floating about @ 4G speeds (less bottlenecks).


good luck.

[Splash]

Interesting as I recently changed my 3 SIM to a nano and thought I'd try it in the car again just in case it was allowed. My previous one had been rejected ages ago saying that the device wasn't a phone etc. etc.

New SIM works but I also felt the data interrogation was a bit slow. That said, it lets me do queries so I can't complain. And there's enough data to allow me to experiment with Internet radio (after 2 years) as I've finally persuaded the MMI Connect app to talk to the car.

I shouldn't complain, but I'd love to see lower bitrate streams as 128k is too good for car use with my ears.

My 3 SIM has a useful voice and SMS allowance too for those times my phone runs out of battery or I want to divert calls. My EE sim allows calls, but they're chargeable and I'll change to this if my 3 SIM protests. However for anyone not streaming or using the car as a hotspot for passengers I'd recommend Freedom Pop (3) or Delight (EE) for low/no cost data when only small amounts are required.

[nicegraham]

I tried 2 new (different network) sims but no joy. I stumbled across a post last night for someone facing similar issue and one of the responses said guessed that they had upgraded their firmware without installing 612 and 614 individually and that was probably the cause. I had upgraded my firmware following advice here (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/165927-MMI-Confusion?p=1008360#post1008360) so I hadn't bothered with 612 or 614.... I went back and installed 612 today, there were only 3 modules that needed to be upgraded. 614 had no applicable installations so it didn't need to be upgraded. Anyway, I plugged my sim back in and immediately saw the google symbol start to go white! :)