RNS-E Upgrade - Completed!

looks awesome skip, having seen the rns-e in action its a beautiful thing, definately one of the best OEM units out there :) very cool

now if it was only DAB compatiable :\
 
Hi,

I've taken the plunge - RNS-E for A6 arrived today. Now need to source the right wires. I've looked through the navplus forums - but there's a touch of info-overload.

I've looked on http://www.kufatec.de and there seems to be a whole range of connectors.

Could do with some advice.

Current setup is:

July 2003 car 8Z0 074 244 0026 BAD GSK
Sympony 2
Multifunction Steering Wheel
Non-bose
Dension Icelink Plus

Ideally:
RNS-E
BT Phone (8P0 862 335C?)
Bose upgrade
TV module?

Questions:

- Which cable(s) - or will I have to hand-construct from pinouts?

- If I get a bose-cable - will I be able to use it with the current non-bose setup? It'd be annoying to have to get 2 cables?

- Does the A2 come prewired with a Mic for the phone kit? Or do I need to split it open to check?

- Am I going to need access to a the full HEX-CAN vagcom to code this all up?

Thanks,

B
 
Hi Ben,

Not got the links available to me at work, but I'll post them tonight.

Basically, get an adapter wired up for all that you want to add (not just what you presently have) and then you are future proofed.

Ask for the adapter to be wired as per Bose, but with additional front speaker wires in situ. This will enable you to use the RNS-E straight away, with it driving the front speakers and the little Blaupunkt amp driving the rears. Also, you will need to disconnect the Bose pin, but I'll mail you the links as to how to do this tonight.

TV is a whole diffferent ball game (I'm still sourcing the bits for mine), but it's not dependant on the adapter you get. Neither is bluetooth.

Even if the worst comes, you can modify the adapter in the future to your own requirements, all the pins are available from Audi dealers.

You've got a far more nerve-racking task to come - taking a saw to your new RNS-E!!!!


Cheers,

Mike
 
That's the one - well done Spike!

Basically, the full pinouts of the Quadlock connector can be found there, so with the appropriate pin extraction tool, you can chop and change any lead to your requirements.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Smashing. Will give it a go. Thanks chaps.

PS - perhaps I should run the RNS through my dewalt mitre saw :) - it'd give a lovely smooth & straight cut...
 
Quick tip Ben - you'll see from the back of the RNS-E that there are extra 'sticky-out bits' along the bottom and both sides of the unit. If you remove these to about 1/8" of the 'main' panel with a saw (I used a cutting disc in my Dremel) then take it down to about 1mm from the main part with a sander (Black & Decker mouse did me proud here) and finally finish off by hand, you'll get a great fit.

When cutting and sanding especially, try to mask off as much of the fascia as possible to prevent dust and debris intrusion into the unit - it'd be a b****r if you got it all nicely fitted to find out that your DVD didn't read properly due to a dirty laser head!

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi guys, been watching this thread for a while now, would absolutely love to get one of these units but finding them a bit costly for my expenses at the moment. i've been looking around and found an advert for an rns-e unit but says it will only work in the US is this possible? I thought it was a bit stupid by the fact it's a GPS unit, and the G in GPS being 'global', kinda told me otherwise?

Skipton, i know you (most likely regretably) mentioned about helping to fit this unit, but how long do you reckon it would take to fit?

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi Mike,

If you've got a double DIN dash, fitting will be about 3 hours, otherwise, budget for a whole day!

Cheers,
Mike
 
Hmmm so what happens in regards to placement on the dash if i've not got the double DIN head unit, I think mine is the chorus? Am i able to get the rns-e still?

Cheers,

Mike.
 
Erling's ..................steady RNS-E fit progress

Everyone's suddenly at it again!

My DD lhd dash order with VAG Parts, A6 RNS-E head unit still in bedroom awaiting functional trial pre Dremel surgery.

Driving to Norway and back via Scotland in August 2006, so would be great if I could get all other parts sourced, fitted, and VAG COM'd before then.

Still seeking a recent version DVD nav disc (copy will do), interface cable set, '...335 C' Audi BT box and cable plus Sharkfin GPS/Phone aerial.

The easy bit is the North Sea crossing, everything else (bar driving) needs time and effort!
 
Hi Erling,

Great to hear that you've got the 2 main parts - why hang around, get 'em in!

You may be waiting a while for the bluetooth bits, especially if you're waiting on Ebay. There is nothing to be gained in waiting for them to arrive before starting on the main installation - the BT module will not fit behind the RNS-E anyway, you'll have to find an alternative location, probably in the passenger footwell (actually, the drivers footwell in your case).

Best of luck with the fit, just take things steady and work in a methodical way and don't be surprised if you've got a couple of screws left over - there aren't as many fixing points on the double-DIN dash.

Cheers,

Mike
 
pimp my ride

Hi All,

The is my first post.
I've just waved goodbye to my beloved mx5 so its all eyes to the newly purchased family wagon.
Grabbed a Y Reg Silver A2 SE 1.4 TDi, OpenSky ,Aircon & Symphony I off some wide boy dealer in Neasdon.
But it seems Kosha & all for 6500 notes (49000 mls seems like a bargain).

Since then i've been doing some reading and its seems i may be in a good position to install once of those tasty looking RNS-E's

Now the wife she's lovely, but bumpy's is no substitute for a real navigation system. and knowing this she's pratically sanctioned the project. it will however need to work else im for the chop.

So Im after some info.

Here's what i got
Symphony I
Air con
Bose - no
DIS - no

Here's what i know
The Symphony I is a double din so word is the fitting should be fairly pain free however I think its without the CANbus connection which the RNS-E needs.
I've had a good read of nsxjsrs symphony -> RNS-E for the A6

http://www.nsxjr.com/downloads.html

Im hopefull i can reproduce the steps to hook onto the CANbus. Ayone know of custom leads i can aquire for this or is it a hack and slash job

The other issue is the DIS - can i do without this ? i can live without it so long as it displays everything i need on the unit. Can one be retro fitted?

Next is the unit itself - i think i need an A6 one £400ish from ebay. Is this because of the style of the fascia? or is it an more techincal issue. Better get a dremel whilst im there.

Then theres the Vag-com dont really understand if its needed but it seems as though the ebay cables will only do readonly/basic functions since the genuine article acts as a dongle to the software.
- will i need one & why?
- is the ebay cable worth getting for the basic functions or is it a waste of time.

Is there anything i've missed ?
top tips?
Im i likely to lose sleep / no-claims bonus / wife over this?

So what say you folks ?? help me pimp my ride!

(smaller post next time - promise)
 
Hi abefromann, welcome to the A2oc
It's nice to see you have done your homework but if you have not already done so, it may be worth swatting up on the A2 specific threads from the attached web site
http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=462
I've done the RNS-D conversion which is similar but don't have first hand experience on the later DVD based sat nav, but hopefully can help with most of your questions
1) You should be able to get the can bus connections from the instrument cluster. After taking out the cluster,I opened up the coloured connector block, removed the appropiate can high and can low pins, stripped the insulation off the wires just back from the pins and soldered on the new wires for the RNS-D connector. Shrink wrap was used over the soldered joints.
2) I think you can fit sat nav without having DIS. Obviously you will miss out on the direction arrows and junction countdown indicator but shoud still get the voice instructions from the front speakers.
3) DIS can probably be retrofitted but as a starter, a whole new instrument cluster is required
4) The A6 version is the only one with enough 'meat' on the fascia plate to allow trimming to fit the A2. I have also read that some other models (A3?) are not elecronically compatible
5) VagCom is needed to calibrate the unit (tyre size etc) and get it to communicate with the other modules. As far as I know, this is the only interface which can handle calibration and not just work as a fault code reader
6) Other things - You'r probably already aware that the sat nav head unit cannot play CD's. Some units for sale on e.bay will not work with european sat nav DVD's (not sure if there is a failsafe way of identifying these) Go to a specialist for the interface cable - one type does not suit all cars. I posted an e.bay link to a guy called Ralf Deventer who can supply what is needed.
Get the workshop manual discs which include the wiring diagrams (Skipton01 can usually supply these and if needed, you will get excellent back-up with installation etc - unlike many sold on e.bay.

Skipton - have I got anything wrong or missed out any important bits ?

Cheers Spike
 
Hi Spike,

Yep, you covered most things there. Just a few additions and alterations though:

Firstly, the A6 unit is the only RNS-E that can be used because it is the only one set up to receive speed info from GALA. The A3 unit can be successfully trimmed to fit, as can the A4, but both these models require speed from the CAN bus, which the A2 does not transmit.

Secondly, the RNS-E can play cds, both audio and mp3 types. You possibly meant to say that it can't play dvds, which is true, even though it is equipped with a dvd drive - this is purely for the navigation disc.

I can indeed still supply a copy of the workshop manual which will enable you to hook it all together. As for the Euro v. US issue, just look for ones listed as being suitable for Euro use (part 'P' is the one I got for reference).

That's it really - you shouldn't alienate your other half and it's not too tricky a job as long as you have a double din dash to begin with.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Cheers for the info guys - sounds like a plan
Next steps to read through navplus & aquire an EU RNS-E unit
I'll have to post photos - reckon there's plenty of others who want to try this.

Skipton - how much do you want for a copy of the manuals?

Rgds
Adam
 
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