Fitting new mmi control head unit

[lukes19]

Fellas,

Another question I know you fine fellows will be able to answer,

If I commit to changing my mmi control unit, with the big selector button and handbrake etc, will it need to be re - synced on a computer? Or will it just be a like for like swap and work straight away?

Nice one lads,

Luke

[joshA6]

Are you talking about just the buttons around the gearstick? If so, its a like for like replacement. You just take it out and replace it with a new one.

[lukes19]

Yeah just the buttons thanks josh, is this something you've done? Is it easy or difficult? Think the need to replace it comes from the buttons sticking as so many other a6 owners have experienced.

Now and again, all the led buttons on the unit will flash red for about 2 seconds, then go off and won't respond at all. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Brycie]

Yes that's happened to mine ever since I spilled Sprite on the unit. It takes a couple of days & then starts working properly again. I think it's the sticky/sugary nature of soft drinks like Sprite that have dried under the buttons & keeps some stuck down eventually causing the system to shut down until the buttons have un-stuck themselves.

[joshA6]

you may recall a thread where I spilled coffee on mine. the malfunctions are related to the spilt liquid creating a short circuit. This fault actually gets logged in the computers somewhere according to Audi Tech.

Mine seemed to get worse when it was cold as the return button would stick. After pulling and cleaning the buttons, it has been fine. To be fair, I did not spill much liquid on it. I think if you spilt a whole cup, the unit would be dead. If it still works, its 50:50 whether a clean will fix it, but its worth the shot.

You can take the unit out, strip it down and clean it with electrical contact cleaner. Makes it like brand new again. If you Google "coffee spilled on my mac", you get a guide on how to clean out electronics.

A new unit is £700 when I asked last time. Taking the thing out takes about 30 minutes as you need to strip down the centre console

[lukes19]

Mine also seems to struggle more in the cold, so I think i'll go for the deep clean option and see how I get on. Hopefully getting the unit in and out will go without too many hiccups

Thanks mate

[joshA6]

personally, I would do this when the weather is warm (in the summer). I am going to take mine out again and give it a final going over when the sun is out!

[EssexGonzo]

I too have sticky, but still operative, buttons. To remove for cleaning is it a case of gently prising each one out or is there a process and a knack?

[lukes19]

From the research I've done thats a6 suicide that mate, the whole unit has to be removed and the the control unit disassembled removing the two control knobs and also the circuitry inside. Then the the case with buttons intact can be washed in warm soapy water. When its bone dry everything can be pieced back together. Yet to complete this myself yet but am going to give it a go

Fingers crossed it goes smoothly

[lukes19]

Looks abit tricky this, few bits have to come off before you can get access to the unit