RNS-E A3/RS3 (2013) into RS4 B7

[rob-s]

Today I finally swapped my RNS-E with this latest version (8P -parts number; led screen, media bottom, gloss black frame).

It was a lot bigger job to swap the front panel then I thought it would be! Well, it went all well and the radio
started + pin code.

There are 2 things:
-doesn't turn on/off with ignition
-no text in dashboard display

Is it just a matter of coding or are there some wiring changes needed?

[MikeFish]

It sounds like a coding issue to me.

[MB2]

I haven't done this swap but the RNS-E uses can-bus for on/off etc. so it sounds much more like coding than wiring to me.

[RossDagley]

Fairly sure i read somewhere about switching on/off with ignition being a coding thing.

Edit to add:

Subject: Coding 2012 RNSE into RS4

Rob

The switching off and DIS issue are standard things with an RNSe from an A3 and can be sorted in minutes in VAGCOM / VCDS. It's simply because the RNSe still thinks it's in an A3 because it has its original A3 codes. A3s are obviously wired slightly different to B7 A4s (don't know the specifics but that's not really important to you). The switch off thing is simply that it doesn't recognise that you've switched the ignition on, hence it auto switches off after 30 mins.

In VCDS you just go to the radio or navigation channel (56 or 37) and change the main code - at the moment it will be a 7 digit number starting with 02 (for A3) - change that to start with 03 (for A4), exit and then reset the radio (press and hold radio and setup together for 10 seconds) and it'll switch on and off with the ignition and the DIS will work properly again.

I've not fitted a video input unit, but I think these inputs will be activated by changing the codings on the last 2 numbers of the 7 digit code - the codes are no the RossTech site http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.ph ... -E)#Coding that you've already looked at.

The main 7 digit code is also where you tell it whether you've got bluetooth, multi function wheel etc. You'll also probably find that the 4th digit of the code is currently set to 5 for an A3 sound system - change that to 9 to tell it it's now plugged into a BOSE. If you've played with any of the RNSe sound settings you may have found that you have a 'gala' option, which is the manual adjustment for speed sensitive volume adjustment - this will disappear when it knows it's got BOSE.

VCDS does sound complicated when you read about codes on paper / forums, but it all makes sense once you use it - honestly, it really is dead simple. In fact all the 'codes' pop up in VCDS when you go to the particular setting to give you the guidance, so it's difficult to get it wrong. Your mate with the software shouldn't have a problem at all.

If you're at all worried before changing anything, just write down the code that's there at the moment and change one digit of the 7 at a time, reset and see if it works - if it doesn't, just change it back and try again - it won't blow up if you get the code wrong, it just won't work.

One thing to note though before you ask though - the RS4 start up screen cannot be selected with these later RNSe units - if you search through the coding you'd think that it is, but unfortunately it isn't because the new units simply no longer have the files in their hardware, and that's the 1 thing you lose by doing the swap.

Good luck, but you should be fine.

[pDkALO]

That's a coding issue.

It still thinks it's in an A3 - code it so it knows it's now in a B7 and it'll work spot on. Had exact same thing when I did the swap in my car, and was worried for a while that I'd messed something up. 10 mins with VCDS and I was a happy man again.

[pDkALO]

Just re-read Ross's post and thought "yup whoever wrote what he's quoted has got it right"..... then realised it was me!

[rob-s]

I've been away for a few days but yes it was a coding issue. One important thing that isn't mentioned very clearly is that you need to reset the RNS-E radio after recoding.

Now everything works fine:) It did come with an additional box. I thought it was an antenna and did not install it but now afterwards I believe its the bluethooth module.
I was surprised when I entered the pin code that all tel. numbers and paring data was intact. Also losing the bluethooth connection was there as before.

Does anyone know if it is possible to get the optical parking aid to function (as on 8P with RNS-E)?

[MikeFish]

I've asked about the visual parking aid before but I was told it was not possible.

[PetrolDave]

It sounds like a coding issue to me.

+1

The CAN bus messages on the A3 are different to those on the A4 so you need to recode the RNS-E, see http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.ph ... 28RNS-E%29

[Stoffle32]

I've asked about the visual parking aid before but I was told it was not possible.

it is possible, the R8's have it and have a RNSE as far as i know you just need a different module. I got my hands on one recently so will try it soon

[PetrolDave]

I've asked about the visual parking aid before but I was told it was not possible.

it is possible, the R8's have it and have a RNSE as far as i know you just need a different module. I got my hands on one recently so will try it soon

The R8 and A3 have a different CAN bus setup using a separate CAN gateway and all-CAN diagnostics.

AFAIK to get the visual parking aid working on a car with part K-line CAN, you have to wire an A3 or R8 CAN gateway in parallel with the partial gateway in the instrument cluster (to get the extra CAN messages that the RNS-E and RVC module need onto the Infotainment CAN bus).

[rob-s]

The R8 and A3 have a different CAN bus setup using a separate CAN gateway and all-CAN diagnostics.

AFAIK to get the visual parking aid working on a car with part K-line CAN, you have to wire an A3 or R8 CAN gateway in parallel with the partial gateway in the instrument cluster (to get the extra CAN messages that the RNS-E and RVC module need onto the Infotainment CAN bus).

That doesn't sound too promising.

What are the real advantages of this 193G type RNS-E? I believe the bluethooth module is separate from the RNS-E so nothing changed there.
The only changes I have noticed are the better resolution (screen) and little faster functions especially with external sources.

[HYFR]

Compatibility with AMI is the key for me.

[MikeFish]

The R8 and A3 have a different CAN bus setup using a separate CAN gateway and all-CAN diagnostics.

AFAIK to get the visual parking aid working on a car with part K-line CAN, you have to wire an A3 or R8 CAN gateway in parallel with the partial gateway in the instrument cluster (to get the extra CAN messages that the RNS-E and RVC module need onto the Infotainment CAN bus).

That doesn't sound too promising.

What are the real advantages of this 193G type RNS-E? I believe the bluethooth module is separate from the RNS-E so nothing changed there.
The only changes I have noticed are the better resolution (screen) and little faster functions especially with external sources.

No not too promising!

The other advantage not mentioned yet is the ability to use SD HC memory cards, upping the limit from 4gb on the older version to (i think) 32gb max.

[PetrolDave]

Compatibility with AMI is the key for me.

+1

Yes it takes SDHC cards but with a 250GB hard disk on AMI I never use SDHC cards any more.

Plus the higher resolution screen is nicer to look at, and it definitely calculates routes faster.

Finally, the 192 version hasn't had a software update since 2009 but the 193 version had a software update last year (and hopefully will do this year but that might be the last as there are now no new Audis using the RNS-E so Audi will regard it as obsolete).