Help: RCD510 from a Mk6 to a Mk5

[FroGTI]

I recently retrofitted an RNS510 to my Mk6 GTI with no problem at all, but the guy who bought my 'old' RCD510 for his Mk5 is having problems. He had a VW dealer fit the unit, but it was draining his battery, so they fitted a new battery but the problem remains. His car is 5 years old.

Are there any known compatibilty issues with the RCD510 on 5-year-old cars?

TIA

[AlanD]

Yes he might well have issues if his car is an earlier model (and still quite possible on later ones up to 2008). The battery gets drained via the CANBUS Gateway which connects to the headunit (this gives it all the info like when the lights are on to dim the HU lights, when you speed up to increase the volume etc etc).

The solution is to replace the CANBUS Gateway with a newer version and get a firmware update (a bit of internet hunting came back with CANBUS Gateway version B and firmware version 1200). The dealers should really know this (but am not surprised they dont).

I would be asking for my money back on the new battery if he paid for it as there was no need for one.

HTH.

[FroGTI]

Thanks for your quick reply, Alan. I will pass on your suggestions and hope he can get something sorted.

[FroGTI]

The dealer has replied that the CANBUS can't be changed on pre-2008 models Is this correct?

[AlanD]

I just didn't bother using a CANBUS when I changed my headunit as it was about £100 for a little adaptor. Mine is an Alpine one so didnt NEED it to work. I therefore haven't personally changed one but from reading a post over on R32OC someone on there has updated theirs. I would bet a fair wager than the electrics in the R32 will be identical to that of the GTI.

Take a quick look of this thread from this website:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=134756.0

Might be worth just upgrading the firmware and see how it goes (although it sounds like a pain having your battery die all the time )

So have the dealers just said "No, you cant do it, not our problem" ?

[Davstylee]

I am fitting a RCD510 that I got from Gizzy in the MK6 section of this forum, and I too was worried about the battery drain problem. Done a quick google search and found this

http://www.my-gti.com/1101/upgrading-2nd-generation-radios-rcd-300-rcd-500-to-3rd-generation-rcd-210-rcd-310-rns-310-rcd-510-power-drain-issue

Which suggests to me that it can be updated, so I don't know what those stupid stealers are on about??

I have managed to get a new CAN BUS Gateway from someone in out in Canada, very nice guy and at a cool price, and Steve in the MK6 section is helping me install it all.

I will let you know how it goes, but I wont be getting it fitted untill the end of July, sorry.

[FroGTI]

Interesting. I will pass on all this very helpful info to my buyer and see if he has any luck. Thanks, guys, your help is much appreciated 

[AlanD]

Sounds like the dealers are trying to fob him off

[jaydubveedub]

I'm no expert on this but isn't it also possible to 'downgrade' the firmware on the headunits to an older version to prevent this battery drain issue without changing the gateway?

[AlanD]

^ I can see your logic, but it doesnt quite work like that.