MMI control unit dead

[richlloyd]

Hi guys,

While having the cambelt changed, I had our local independent specialist take a look at the SatNav cdrom drive as it seemed the disc was stuck and the sat nav wasn't responding. They removed the sat nav disc drive and disconnected it from the power. Now the MMI control interface with the scroll wheel/soft keys etc is completely unresponsive. Radio comes on, and i can change station and volume via the steering wheel controls but can't switch to CD changer, setup, phone....nothing! The garage has said as we asked them to take a look at the Sat Nav there were only doing as asked. They're a reputable place but it's the first time i've used them and not a happy boy right now. They've advised they've found similar accounts to this where the issue just set itself right after driving for a while, but warned me the replacement cost of the MMI control is around £500 +VAT. The Sat Nav, screen, and CD changer are all powered, and when they removed power from the MMI control none of them are powered so it seems the power is being routed to the different peripherals ok. Any thoughts? The garage said if it doesn't correct itself to go back in and they won't charge us for the time to investigate.

For info, it's an Audi A6 2.0TDI Avant '58 plate. The MMI is Basic Plus, with CD changer and Sat Nav cd drive.

Cheers in advance.

[rafletcher]

Is the sat nav dvd unit back in place? And have they properly reconnected the power and fibre optic cables? I'm assuming they aren't an audi specialist. And if the fault is there now and wasn't before they took the unit out, their actions caused it and they need either to correct it (as they have seemingly offered to do) or pay the costs.

[Dpanic]

Hi guys,

While having the cambelt changed, I had our local independent specialist take a look at the SatNav cdrom drive as it seemed the disc was stuck and the sat nav wasn't responding. They removed the sat nav disc drive and disconnected it from the power. Now the MMI control interface with the scroll wheel/soft keys etc is completely unresponsive. Radio comes on, and i can change station and volume via the steering wheel controls but can't switch to CD changer, setup, phone....nothing! The garage has said as we asked them to take a look at the Sat Nav there were only doing as asked. They're a reputable place but it's the first time i've used them and not a happy boy right now. They've advised they've found similar accounts to this where the issue just set itself right after driving for a while, but warned me the replacement cost of the MMI control is around £500 +VAT. The Sat Nav, screen, and CD changer are all powered, and when they removed power from the MMI control none of them are powered so it seems the power is being routed to the different peripherals ok. Any thoughts? The garage said if it doesn't correct itself to go back in and they won't charge us for the time to investigate.

Cheers in advance.

If they have not reconnected the Sat Nav drive, then there will be a break in the fibre loop - so unsure why the radio is still working. unless they have put a pass through adaptor on. For the disk stuck in the drive - this can be unlocked by the dealer or a friendly bod with VCSD, you don't need to remove the drive. Where is the drive now - still in the car, I would get it reconnected back in and retest the MMI. Regards

[richlloyd]

@rafletcher - The sat nav unit is back in place in the glovebox, it's powered in that the eject button is illuminated but can't say with certainty that all cables are properly reconnected. They're a VW and Audi specialist and from what i've read on other forums they're good and reliable. Am hoping it's something that can be fixed by them properly analysing it, rather than require a new control unit as getting them to cover the cost of that i suspect will be like ice skating up a hill.

[richlloyd]

@Dpanic - as far as I know they have just reconnected the sat nav and not added anything to it (i.e. adapter you mention). At this stage I'm not bothered by the sat nav not working, i just want controls back. Could not reconnecting the fibre correctly lead to the controls being unresponsive? If that gets resolved i'm even thinking remove sat nav entirely and try to use the input i'm assuming (perhaps naively) that the nav is taking up and try and hook up in a line-in for ipod etc.. (i realise not that straightforward - will look into that properly at a later date).

[richlloyd]

The wife just called to say that mysteriously, the controls are now working.....i've not seen it so don't know what much is/isn't working or whether the sat nav is behaving. Will update later this evening.

[richlloyd]

So, the controls are indeed working again, and this evening I took another look and now the sat nav is responding.... Weird weird weird. Thanks for your input though guys. Hopefully it will behave itself now.