Hot days RNSE gives up reading Nav Disc

[sckrs4]

Has anyone noticed on very hot days the NavDisc fails to read and a message in red indicated unable to read the DVD disc. Also long journeys 5-7 hours driving the Nav unit heats up so much the DVD simply can't be read or navigation used until the unit cools down.

Is this common?

[Mr Footlong]

Original disc or a backup?

[neilparf]

Mmmmmmm - is the cooling fan at the back of the RNSE working? Can you hear it?

The cold, yes: copied DVDs are harder to read than pressed DVDs, and the difference gets bigger as it gets colder, in addition the the laser diode produces less power - with the result that the read error rate increases...

I think the error is the unit maybe saying can't read the DVD until I cool down possibly - not the actual DVD per se...

[Mr Footlong]

If you can get your hands on a good quality dvd laser head cleaner (audio-based), follow the instructions and run that through a few times.

If the disc is in good condition and scratch-free, I would go with it being the laser head tiring, not at all uncommon on the RNS-E. Off the top of my head, a sub-£50 fix.

[sckrs4]

Thank you for all the posts.

The disc is original , updated maps 2013.

The issue is when the unit is cold it works perfectly. Today it worked without any issue for the entire 1 and half hour journey. What I noticed is the LCD panel is hot, but I think this was like that from the start.

Must hear if the fan is working...

Disc was fine 8GB dual layer, tried copying it on PC but didn't have the same size disc. So reading the entire disc was error free.

I guess when the unit is too hot may have caused an issue. It was 22c showing up on the dash yesterday and car was parked under the sun

[Mr Footlong]

I had a 2012 RNS-E in the 6 and the laser head started to tire, which resulted in it struggling to read the media on longer journeys once the unit had warmed up. Even top quality backups stress the head further and it would fail as the heat built within the unit.

[sckrs4]

Mmmmmmm - is the cooling fan at the back of the RNSE working? Can you hear it?

The cold, yes: copied DVDs are harder to read than pressed DVDs, and the difference gets bigger as it gets colder, in addition the the laser diode produces less power - with the result that the read error rate increases...

I think the error is the unit maybe saying can't read the DVD until I cool down possibly - not the actual DVD per se...

Hi neilparf

I took the DVD nav disc out, turned off the blower, then key in ignition start position, I do hear fan noise humming away. Also when the ignition is at off position but key not pulled out the humming noise stops. Wonder if the on position ie all dashboard lights are on only I can hear the humming, may be enough power to unit given?

Some times when I start the car after refilling I get the Nav unit saying Initialising the unit... For about 3-4 seconds and I can see the Nav unit back to map mode.

Cheers

[Surrey Sam]

Really sounds like the laser head to be at fault, I know the CD changer ones can be problematic but didn't realise the RNS-e ones were weak as well.

[sckrs4]

Really sounds like the laser head to be at fault, I know the CD changer ones can be problematic but didn't realise the RNS-e ones were weak as well.

This only done twice now since having the car, and for the first post date it's not down the error reading yet.

Could be that since the car is almost approaching 8 years must be the unit is getting old or need a lenses cleaned, not bad lasted this long

May be time to update the maps with 2014!

[Mr Footlong]

I wouldn't recommend updating with a new disc until you are sure the problem isn't there anymore, as there may/may not be a firmware update on the 2014 disc that it will want to install. I don't know, but it may be a case that the existing flashed firmware isn't protected, as in if it fails reading part way through the upgrade, if that bricks the unit or not.

Regarding the fan in the unit, if memory serves that will only stay on after the ignition is turned off if the ambient temp has built up to a certain amount inside the unit.

Somebody like PetrolDave could either agree with me or shoot me down in seconds if he sees this thread. I am still going with the head.

[PetrolDave]

I wouldn't recommend updating with a new disc until you are sure the problem isn't there anymore, as there may/may not be a firmware update on the 2014 disc that it will want to install. I don't know, but it may be a case that the existing flashed firmware isn't protected, as in if it fails reading part way through the upgrade, if that bricks the unit or not.

Regarding the fan in the unit, if memory serves that will only stay on after the ignition is turned off if the ambient temp has built up to a certain amount inside the unit.

Somebody like PetrolDave could either agree with me or shoot me down in seconds if he sees this thread. I am still going with the head.

There's been no SW updates since 2007 for the Mk1 RNS-E and there won't be any more (Audi regard it as obsolete now). The 2014 DVD does have an update for the Mk2 RNS-E though,but even that may be the last as the Mk2 RNS-E won't be in any new production models from later this year.

You're right about a failed update bricking the unit, it doesn't have enough flash to hold two copies, so you do need to take care when updating the firmware.

The fan in the RNS-E will run whenever the RNS-E is powered (i.e. from unlocking the car to either locking it or 30 minutes after ignition off) IF it's internal temperature is too high.

Failed lasers used to be a real problem with pre-2005 RNS-Es but Audi fitted an updated DVD drive then which has greatly reduced the problem, but with age it's likely to start becoming a problem again. For those with the Mk2 RNS-E it seems that changing the DVD drive can lead to the RNS-E not working as it appears that the drive serial number is read and checked.