A flat battery, a dodgy radio, an ipod and a dodgy dealer

[Peely-wally]

My car broke down with a flat battery the other morning.  I got the car jump started and took it to a dealer to investigate.
They reported back that my, recently fitted, Connects 2 ipod adapter was draining the battery, apparently the module was drawing between 0.2 and 0.5A even when no ipod was connected.  They advised that because the ipod connector was not a VW unit that the bill for a new battery and the investigative work would be £270.

When aked, they aggreed to show me the problem in person.  On my way to the dealer, they phoned back and said that when they went to replicate the fault they realised they had made a mistake and it was my RCD500 unit that was drawing the current.  The fix is now to be done under warranty.

Innocent mistake or dodgy dealer aside, should I get a VW ipod adapter fitted?
My concern is that the head unit problem may actually be linked somehow to the Connects 2 unit and that the problem will recurr and leave me with a £700 bill for a new battery and head unit. 

Down side
1. the extra cost of £155 over the £120 already shelled out for the Connects 2.
2. I will lose the ability to view song details and navigate the ipod while plugged in to the head unit.

What do you think that I should do?

[stealthwolf]

Firstly, name and shame your dealer!

Secondly, AFAIR, any modification to your car after its manufacture won't be covered by VW warranty. Any dealer modification (eg dealer-fitted ipod cable) comes with only a dealer warranty. Any problems due to "non-approved" modifications won't be covered by guarantee so they can turn round and say no.

As for the Connects2 thing, if it's causing problems with the HU, probably best to avoid it happening again and sell the cable (or keep it until your car is out of warranty), or get a new battery and keep it spare, or just don't go to the dealer next time it happens.

[vRStu]

I think there are a few known problems with the RCD500.

AFAIK if yours wasn't MP3 then your new one will be 

[Peely-wally]

Question I am asking myself is why would the head unit all of a sudden start draining the battery after 2 years fitted without a problem?

[AlanD]

That dealer is taking the piss !!

As soon as you demand to be shown the problem all of a sudden it magicaly becomes the HU and not the aftermarket product. wayne kerrs ! Name and shame !

As your power drain, Im really not sure, I do however like you not belive in coinsidences. Have you got a multimeter at home? Might be able to check yourself if the connector is drawing current.

[No Golf Clubs at all]

Name and Shame the Stealer!!! Totally sick of muppets like these lot.....a while back I complained about oversensitivity of the auto lights, they took the car in and agreed that it was a fault.  They then wanted the car for 3, YES THREE days!!! It wasnt convienient at the time for me, so I said I would get it back to them later but before the warranty expired on 5th September 08.

On contacting them for some warranty work (white worm on tailgate and centre caps) I mentioned the auto lights!! They DENIED ALL KNOWLEDGE of the conversation and had tested the lights and there was NO FAULT.  Mine was AC in Glasgow.

Dealers can be complete and utter butt munching lying toerags 

We should have a name and shame section as well as a place to congratulate the good guys.

[sharpie]

and yet when i have my sig like the one below it got removed? wholly accurate i believe.



^^ above - arnold clark are muppets, wouldn't take my car anywhere near them.

[2007GTI]

can u really I view song details on the RCD500 and navigate the ipod while plugged in to the head unit?

thought it was just the tracks 1-99 like the VW one.

[R32UK]

Dont waste your time with the VW ipod connection. Its useless imo. Mine has caused my ipod to mess up a number of times and since havent used it.


If your worried about having to shell out £700 for repairs, then I would suggest getting the RNS510 touch screen unit. Atleast after spending £700 you will have something to show for it 

[AlanD]

Dont spend £700 !! On a HU. Much better things you car could have for £700 (imo).