Coding 2012 RNSE into RS4

[RobbyRS4]

Hi. I've retro fitted a 2012 RNSE into my RS4. I'm a need some info on Vag Com coding and what to do. At the same time, i fitted a video/audio input and video in motion. The problems i have are : doesn't switch off with the ignition, no tv option/display, no MFD display and the unit switches off after 25mins even when driving. I had a re-mapper friend who has up to date vag-com but has asked me to get a heads up for him. I've searched through the forum and found the Wiki bit so have tried but i'm struggling to understand what to do. Can anybody point me in the right direction what to do and explain it?

I'd be really grateful

Cheers, Rob.

[MikeFish]

I haven't done this but I recall reading about it quite a bit. I think petroldave might have done this so try looking at his previous posts. Also, try googling "2010 RNS-E" or "retrofit 2010RNS-E", I'm pretty sure that should bring up all you need.
PS None of them turn off when you turn the ignition off, you have to actually remove the key.

[RobbyRS4]

Thanks - will do :0)

[pDkALO]

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.

[RobbyRS4]

What a fantastic reply - thanks so much for taking the trouble. I'll post up once done!

Cheers Rob.

[arnnie]

What a fantastic reply - thanks so much for taking the trouble. I'll post up once done!

Cheers Rob.

Be really interested to hear how you get on with this as i was looking to do the same thing with my recently purchased RS4.

If you could PM me details of where you got your RNSE and how much that would be great as i have seen massive variations in price.

[pDkALO]

Arnnie

Expect to pay around the £450 mark on fleabay for a 2011 spec 'reconditioned' RNSe - they come from Audi's refurbished parts outlets in Eastern Europe - mine looked pretty much like new, and arrive in double quick time

[RobbyRS4]

Be really interested to hear how you get on with this as i was looking to do the same thing with my recently purchased RS4.

If you could PM me details of where you got your RNSE and how much that would be great as i have seen massive variations in price.[/quote]
I paid £500 inc postage but it was the 2012 with a 2012 disc so i figured worth the money( it was the only one he had and was on Ebay - i will PM you his details though as his ID suggests he does sell them on a regular basis). I think £450 is about right. There is a massive difference in the screen resolution for the better. I also used a video/audio input off Ebay for £89 pounds and use this with my iphone to play music videos and films. It has RCA type connectors so i use a genuine Apple cable to play the media. If you want to view on the move though, you need a video in motion adaptor. What a briliant sound from the O/E system. I fit car audio for a living and this truely is the best Bose i have ever heard. I also have an A3 S-line 2012 Black Edition Tdi with Bose and this sounds crap in comparison.

[pDkALO]

Robby - did you definitely get an OE 2012 disc for that price? - good value if you did (easy way to tell is copies are blue - purple colour on the 'read' side). Apparently copies will wear out the laser quicker, so I play it safe and use the older OE disc in mine, and just accept that some roads may be out of date

Interesting what you say about sound quality - as it happens I had the trim out of my car at the weekend (any excuse not to watch the Jubilee on the telly!!) and was amazed at the size of the BOSE bass port unit - takes up the whole side of the car, so probably goes some way to explaining the solid sound

[RobbyRS4]

Robby - did you definitely get an OE 2012 disc for that price? - good value if you did (easy way to tell is copies are blue - purple colour on the 'read' side). Apparently copies will wear out the laser quicker, so I play it safe and use the older OE disc in mine, and just accept that some roads may be out of date

Interesting what you say about sound quality - as it happens I had the trim out of my car at the weekend (any excuse not to watch the Jubilee on the telly!!) and was amazed at the size of the BOSE bass port unit - takes up the whole side of the car, so probably goes some way to explaining the solid sound

Yep, def a genuine disc. I did my research on here before i bought it so was aware of the issues on a non genuine disc but again thanks for everything. Just said to the missus how kind it was of you for such a long, detailed, well written post. I'm on a few other forums as i own a car audio installation company and freely offer advise. But so many users on forums just take and don't contribute. Its nice to get a bit back for a change!

[RobbyRS4]

What a fantastic reply - thanks so much for taking the trouble. I'll post up once done!

Cheers Rob.

Be really interested to hear how you get on with this as i was looking to do the same thing with my recently purchased RS4.

If you could PM me details of where you got your RNSE and how much that would be great as i have seen massive variations in price.

This link was invaluable in swapping over the fascias http://www.lamboweb.com/Repairs_Section ... _Plate.htm
It's not a quick job though... get them on the kitchen table / bench and be methodical taking your old one apart. There's loads of screws so make yourself little labels and if you've got a picture phone take pics as you go along for reference. Do it when its quiet and you won't get interupted and you'll be fine. The tutorial looks harder than it really is.

[RobbyRS4]

What a fantastic reply - thanks so much for taking the trouble. I'll post up once done!

Cheers Rob.

Be really interested to hear how you get on with this as i was looking to do the same thing with my recently purchased RS4.

If you could PM me details of where you got your RNSE and how much that would be great as i have seen massive variations in price.

PM Sent mate

[RobbyRS4]

All done and working. It was very easy. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

[PetrolDave]

All done and working. It was very easy.

On www.audiforum.us over the last 8 years I've seen hundreds of posts from people who think that coding the RNS-E is going to be really hard, but if you go to the Ross-Tech wiki and carefully follow the coding details here http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.ph ... 28RNS-E%29 it's actually very easy.

[swannny]

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.

can i ask a question please!

i tried today to recode an a3 rnse to an rs4 cab, but the vcds would not read anything from channels 56 & 37. it just kept saying "no response from controller"

i done a full scan and there were no fault codes, can someone point me in the right direction of what to do next?

cheers!