Polar FIS+

[RichardSEL]

Has anyone done the upgrade to a Polar FIS+ unit to a Full Height MFD?
I think (but can't find the thread nor remember if it was this forum) this
involves removal of the drivers' side drop down pocket. And there were
hints on that too...
This exposes the OBDII connector?

Thanks
RichardSEL

[RichardSEL]

Well still searching for the Canbus gateway or controller! Have been in contact with Polar who offered their install notes for Scirocco and suggested that it's up above the clutch pedal. Took down the relevent panels but not seen. Others in other forums have given different locations (behind drivers' side drop down pocket, behind Climatic control panel) but these presumably were locations for LHD models (of various Golfs) Have tried following the OBDII socket leads but they seem to just disappear into a grommet in the drivers' footwell
Anyone know where this unit is on a RHD 2006 B6 Passat?
If it's in the centre console behind Climatic control panel, how does this get released?

Thanks to anyone already in the know!
RichardSEL

p.s. Will I have to join the Masons to find out?? ;-)

[ToMBoY_C]

Behind climatronic, remove cd facia trim, then heater trim, then 4x Torx screw holding the climatics in, then you will see the gateway!

[RichardSEL]

Could only see two T20 holding Climatic's panel in. Hope that the wiring is long enough to allow removal of Climatic panel. Dark now will check in the morning
Thanks for your quick reply!

Which Lodge?
RichardSEL ;-}

[ToMBoY_C]

Which lodge???

2x T20's at the bottom
2x T20's on side

Do you have climatic or climatronic?

If the standard S, SE climatic then be careful with the directional cable spring thing, nightmare!

[RichardSEL]

Climatronic as it accepts the (Econ)+(Vent) button's diagnostics commands

Do I have to take out side panels somehow. As I can't See the other two screws? And I'm nervous about pulling too hard to remove. The panel moves but doesn't want to pull out

Thanks again for your help

RichardSEL

[RichardSEL]

Right, have found the four screws you mentioned -- they were so far recessed missed them in the failing light yesterday
Have removed the Climatronic panel and can see the Gateway. I only have to remove the plug, not the unit itself.
And replace it with Polar FIS's plug, the loom then plugs goes into Polar's harness. Other end of harness goes into the Polar unit.

Can I access the Gateway's plug/socket without removing the metal bracket which the Gateway module is behind? Perhaps via the drivers' side upper tunnel panel? If so, how does that become detached? The lower panel just clipped out.

Still nervous of snapping something
RichardSEL

[RichardSEL]

Just to finish off this thread:
After much installing, many updates to the PolarFIS+ unit did get it working and, with their latest updates sure is a
useful unit. Here's a pix but at this resolution it's probably too blurred to see the detail of this ver2.3. However amongst
its features is turbo boost so not needing another gauge, piping, etc. See the PolarFIS website for more details:
http://www.auto-polar.com/

Ver2.3 screen.jpgDownside for me is that it doesn't run for greater than 20mins or so without taking out my aftermarket JVC radio's MFSW buttons interface (Connects2). The programers in Madrid did try a revamp of their software but no go. However from other posters it's fine if you have OEM headunit (RCD300 >RNS510) which uses the CANbus properly to control their functions. PolarFIS uses the redundant Telematics' menu (module 75 in VCDS)

Alternatives that take their info from the OBDii socket and thus more restricted are:
Ultra Gauge (couldn't see Boost Pressure from their details) -- about US $105 inc. shipping
DashDaq -- US $549
DashBoss which uses a wireless interface -- US $170
and Kauftec's e-MFA which is only good for Diesels

RichardSEL