Sat Nav SAFE MODE issue - but seems to have correct pin? PLE

[Lionheart]

Hi guys

Got a new RS6 a couple of weeks back, and the head unit was stuck requiring the code. The seller said it happened when he disconnected the battery, Gutted he didn't mention it BEFORE I arrived, but there you go! So long drive home with no radio!

Got the code from Audi, and entered it but it did not work. Three try's and it locked into SAFE mode with a message in German that says SAFE PIN DISCONNECTED.

So actually bought another used sat nav unit from eBay that came with the original manual and code, but I have the same issue.

I did a bit of research and it seems there is a SAFE pin on one of the plugs which needs a (I think) 5v permanent feed (or 12v??). They say you can loop it off of the power pin which is next to it.

This is the lower most of the three plugs, and if you look at the rear (the end with wires rather than pins) the power is top right, and the safe is next to it.

Ok, that's fine. BUT on my plug there is already a cable and pin for the safe pin!!!

Can I attached/insert images on this forum?

In the lower most of the three plugs you can see the thick power cable which would be top right if you tlooked from the rear (wire side), and next to it is the SAFE cable - which is also red with a yellow stripe like the power cable - so assume it's a power feed also???

Note my car does not have all of the three plugs that are grouped together. It has the upper most and lower most (the one with SAFE). So the middle of the three plugs does not exist in my car.

Not sure how to test if the SAFE cable is feeding 5v (or 12v??) permanent power or not? I have a multimeter but no real idea on how to use it.

Should I just loop a cable off of the thicker power cable next to it anyway???

PLEASE HELP!!!

[Shoppinit]

If it's on and it's got power then you should be able to enter the code and get the unit up and running. If you turn it off and it comes back asking for the code, then start looking into the permanent power supply options.

Get the unit to wake up first. Can you do that?

If the wrong code has been entered 3 times then it'll lock you out for an hour. You need to leave the ignition ON for the hour for it to give you another chance to enter the code. Otherwise it'll keep coming up that you are locked out.

/edit: assuming you are talking about an RNS-D

[Lionheart]

Yes, you can turn it on and off and each time it says either safe pin disconnected, or if I leave it for an hour I get the option to enter the code.

So you cannot get beyond the enter code screen. And if you try the code three times you end up in the SAFE screen.

Tried on two units, so code is definitely correctly entered.

It's really weird as the SAFE pin appears to have a power feed?

[Shoppinit]

Then it's the wrong code. Simple.

[ahoooga]

yes, you can post images on here

shoppinit asked above if its an RNS-D unit

[Lionheart]

Hi guys

What's an RNS-D unit? It's Sat Nav Plus if that's what you mean?

How do I include images??? I have taken some, but cannot see an option to add them. There is an 'Img' button but when clicked it just adds:

img/img

Code is definitely correct as have two units as that's what I initially thought also.

[Lionheart]

Just Google'd...

Yes, definitely the RNS-D (not E).

The car was registered April 2003. I guess that was before the RNS-E?

I'm wondering if the previous owner had an issue with the head unit, and bought a replacement one??? But either way - it should still work?

I bought a second unit from eBay, and it comes with he original manual with code, discs etc etc.

So the chance of the code being wrong on both unit less likely than there being an issue??

[ahoooga]

Under the box where you type your post,, there's a tab that says upload attachment. Its under the "save draft- preview-submit"

buttons

[Maximo]

I'm sure I had a similar problem with mine not long after I bought the car. If the old grey matter is working then I think mine was due to the canbus interface being foobar. As I couldn't find a replacement anywhere, I just bought an RNS-E instead.

[Lionheart]

Ok, adding images:

[img]

[/img]

This shows the rear of the lower most plug. You can see the power cable - the thick red and yellow one. Next to this is the SAFE pin which also has a red and yellow thinner cable.

[Lionheart]

Silly question? Did RS6's have RNS-E units fitted ever as standard?

Was there an option for either D or E, or did E supersede D?

I'm wondering if this maybe had an E, and he replaced it with a D, and that's the cause of the issue?? Just a thought. Maybe not.

[ahoooga]

rs6 was rns-d , im not sure , but the rs6PLUS may have had rns-e .
However , quite a few owners have done upgrades from D to E over the years , so its always possible yours had an rns-e retro fitted in the past .

Looking at the insulation tape in your picture though , can you confirm there is a permanent feed to the smaller red and yellow wire ?, have you put a tester on it ?

[Maximo]

Silly question? Did RS6's have RNS-E units fitted ever as standard?

Was there an option for either D or E, or did E supersede D?

I'm wondering if this maybe had an E, and he replaced it with a D, and that's the cause of the issue?? Just a thought. Maybe not.

Never a silly question asked around here.

The RS6 Plus came as standard with the RNS-E fitted. It's a little more modern looking and has a few more features along with it. I would be very surprised if the previous owner downgraded from the RNS-E to the RNS-D, doesn't make sense to me.

Have you checked to make sure that there is voltage going to the safe pin connection? Just because it's there doesn't mean it's working.

Cheers

Garry

[Lionheart]

Hi Gary

That was may thought as well - to check if the power was actually coming down that cable.

Embarassingly I actually have a cheap multimeter, but have never used it and don't really have much of an idea how to use it!!!

What settings would I use, and I assume red to the pin, and black to what??

Looking at the manual (Draper) it can read DC voltage, AC voltage, DC current, and Resistance. That's the part I struggle with as I have no idea what setting is required.

Is it 12v or 5v that should be feeding to the SAFE pin?

[ahoooga]

set it on 12v DC voltage, red probe to the safe pin and black to a good earth point on the car, it will tell you what voltage the smaller red/yellow wire is giving
try it with ignition off as well so you know if its a 'permanent live feed'