MMI not working after Dension 500 removal

[Stevewoodmeuk]

Hi, my 2008 A6 C6 Avant came with a Dension 500 gateway installed by the previous owner. I removed the Dension to try and get the car back to in stock configuration.

Following the removal the MMI doesn't work; I get the MMI splash screen on startup but then nothing.

I'm surprised taking out an ancillary has stopped the system working... is there a reset or something that needs to be done?

Here's what's left in the car;

1.) CD player in the glove box rear connections


2.) Some sort control unit that seems to be connected to the CD loom and fibre optics



3.) a further control unit that seems to be related


I was not sure what to do with the fibre optics that were connected connected to the Dension so taped them back to the CD loom:

[B5NUT]

You need to remove all the orange cable, you cannot have an open connection in the optical bus. Be careful with the cable and connectors you don't want to damage them!

b4b86107396c8c9960c95241bdbcf305.jpg

[Stevewoodmeuk]

You need to remove all the orange cable, you cannot have an open connection in the optical bus. Be careful with the cable and connectors you don't want to damage them!

b4b86107396c8c9960c95241bdbcf305.jpg

Thank you! I removed the orange optical cable extension and reconnected the original to the CD and all now works fine. :-)

For the benefit of others here's what I did:

1.) disconnect the extension cable join
The original cable is extended by using a special "clip" arrangement to link the original to the extension. I used a small flat blade jewellers precision screw driver to pry the cover off the joining clip. The optical cables are then held in place by a plastic "latch" that locates over the cable end. Lift the "latch" and the original cable cab be gently eased free.

2.) disconnect the extension cable from the CD input
The CD has a connector holding two optical cables; one in and one out. These are marked with arrows to show the direction. The extension cable is connected to the input ( on the set up in my car). Disconnect this dual optical connector from the back of the CD.

To remove optical extension first pry free a small blue plastic retainer inserted in the center of the CD optical connector that holds both the input and output optical cables in place. The blue retainer can be removed completely; be careful not to drop or loose it its tiny!

Next, similar to the joining clip, lift up the plastic " latch" retaining the end of the optical cable in the CD connector body using a small flat blade. The optical cable end can then be gently eased free whilst the " latch" is held up.

3.) insert the original optical cable
Gently push the end of the original optical cable into the CD connector and ensure it locates positively by clicking into the connector "latch". The ends of the two optical cables should be aligned when you look at the end of the CD connector. Next reinsert the small blue retainer ensuring it clicks fully into place.

4.) reconnect the dual optical CD connector plug to the back of the CD

[Imoptep]

Sorry to hijack your thread but was the Dension any good? I was looking at purchasing one but was less then impressed with the older model in my A3, crashed constantly and even crashed the MMI on occasions.

[Stevewoodmeuk]

Sorry to hijack your thread but was the Dension any good? I was looking at purchasing one but was less then impressed with the older model in my A3, crashed constantly and even crashed the MMI on occasions.

Actually the Dension 500 gateway has been pretty good in my setup: I leave an old iPod permanently attached with my music library on it and it works fine... I am upgrading as I want to move to A2DP streaming and am retro fitting an AMI with an A2DP adapter.

Looking to sell the Dension on so PM me if you would like to make an offer

[Imoptep]

Thanks for the offer but im after bluetooth as well.