Audio advice needed please...Yeti S - Swing MDI...

[darkblue]

Hi, just bought a used Yeti S 1.2 TSI. Very happy with it so far.

I want to get a retrofit MDI kit fitted so that I can use my iPod. Radio is the basic Swing model. I'd like to store the iPod and cable in the glovebox.

So please can someone give me some advice?

E.g.

Recommend wiring loom/kit supplier?

Can someone tell me where they installed the MDI box in their car?

Thanks

Tom

[KBPhoto]

I got mine from Cars Equipment, but Car Systems.eu are also good.

Had issues getting the head unit back in with the loom attached, but finally sorted it. Fed the male part of the loom through from the glovebox side and kept the female part up above the cage.

The best outlet point is probably the dash top box, OE location for LHD Yetis is the 'ashtray' and that's where I've got mine to as I store quite a few things in the top box.

I haven't cut holes yet so it's not finished. I have the iPod cable hanging out from the footwell side panels at the moment.

[darkblue]

Hi KBPhoto, thanks for th prompt reply,

My Yeti S doesn't have a dash top box, just a recess. Plus that could be a hot place to store the iPod in the summer so my preference would be in the glovebox. Perhaps the ashtray will be a good spot.

I need to work out where to put the MDI control unit. I see from your thread that you seemed to bolt it behind the dash accessed by removing the glovebox. is that correct?

I was thinking to zip tie it somewhere but not sure where yet. I saw a guide for a VW golf where they zip tied it to the left panel beside the glovebox like where the fuses are but on the other side.

Cheers

[brookfold1]

Have you considered fitting a bolero radio instead which has an sd card slot for your music? We did in the wife's 1.2 s for approx. £150 and the radio is far far better than the swing.

[darkblue]

Thanks brookfold1 that's an idea. I'd like to get my iPod working though.

[darkblue]

I read that the latest bolero don't have a CD player and have MDI built in which would be desirable but I don't know a) whether I can get one how much it would be or c) whether it would fit in my 2011 Yeti ?

[greenstripe]

I read that the latest bolero don't have a CD player and have MDI built in which would be desirable but I don't know a) whether I can get one how much it would be or c) whether it would fit in my 2011 Yeti ?

That's not something I've heard about, however the newer units are probably not compatible with your car. The Bolero has pretty much the same audio hardware as the Swing so won't sound any better, what it will give you is a colour touch screen and SD card slot, both the Swing and the Bolero are compatible with the MDI interface - some coding with VCDS may be required to get it to work.

 

If you do decide to change your head unit, you may well need a new trim as it may or may not be a different shape from your current stereo, depending on what car the replacement has come from.

[Gobmax]

My Columbus unit, I recently found out it  plays MP3's, now have a multiple of music.

Now use card slot instead of CD/DVD player.

 

And the collection,  it doesn't take up a lot of Room.

Edited 17 December, 2014 by Gobmax

[spottydog]

I have fit a Sony WX-GT90BT double din radio bought at Halfords. Radio, connecting leads, facia and fitting cost £200.

The radio got great reviews and I can confirm that it is good and the fit is good, although not as good as the manufacturers. Excellent sound and performance from the Bluetooth and phone features. I play my music via Bluetooth from my phone. The radio supports voice recognition but my phone does not so I don't know how good that would be.

[Great Yeti]

Hi Tom.

 

It looks like you are new to the forum so can I wish you a warm welcome. As you can see its a pretty friendly place with lots of help from members who have been around for some time and completed many useful projects with their Yeti's.

 

A good place to have a look around is the Yeti Technical Guides section "LINK" . Here you will find lots of information regarding technical issues and a great many "How to Guides". Quite a few of these may help you in your project with the MDI interface / change of radio etc. including one that features a retro fit MDI. It refers a different radio model but it contains very useful information as regards the installation. Members are encouraged to post information here to help other members and it a fantastic source of information for Yeti owners.

 

Have a look at this "LINK" from that section. It shows how to remove the glove box that helps in giving access to the rear of the radio.

 

Hope this helps..................Tony

[darkblue]

Thanks for all the replies. Lots to think about. I might go down the aftermarket route. I'll let you know what I decide.

[spottydog]

If you go aftermarket make sure they pull the radio and check the aerial connection. The one Halfords had listed was not the one for mine. The guy said it was similar to ones in top end Audi's and VW's. Until he had pulled the radio he only had their info to go off.

Must say the service I received at my local Halfords was excellent. The fitter was great. Fair enough I had to make a return visit because of the aerial connection but that wasn't his fault.

[Zib]

If you do go for a Bolero, you can connect your iPod via Bluetooth. No need for MDI to play music. Or just copy your music collection onto an SD memory card and use that instead.

[Llanigraham]

If you do go for a Bolero, you can connect your iPod via Bluetooth. No need for MDI to play music. Or just copy your music collection onto an SD memory card and use that instead.

 

That may apply to the facelift model, but would only apply to the Series 1 if there was a Bluetooth module fitted elsewhere.

[darkblue]

Hi

I've decided to go for an MDI retrofit install after all as that's the cheapest option and will give me all that I need.

So I'll install it myself and the instructions seem pretty straightforward but the only thing that I'm not sure about is the potential need for VCDS coding/error clearing after install. I've seen the instructions for this too but I've not got access to VCDS.

So I've a couple of questions that hopefully someone can answer...

1. After installation, how will I know if I need to reset any codes via VCDS? I.e. Will I see an error or will the MDI interface simply not work until this is done ?

2. My local independent garage has a 'Snap-On' type diagnostic device which I've seen him use before successfully on my old VW T5 van. Does anyone know if this 'Snap-On' device will be able to reset the MDI codes I.e. Do what VCDS would do?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[KBPhoto]

Tom,

It might work without coding but you'll get fault codes stored for sure.

Coding with VCDS takes minutes (or less) and will clear up any issues.

Your location just says 'U.K.' so no idea if I can help with VCDS; but if you are near Bromyard, drop me a PM and I'll sort it for you.

If not, check the VCDS owners map and PM someone close to you.

I really wouldn't bother trying to find another solution to getting the coding done properly.

PS: if you are using anything with iOS8, there appears to be an issue with podcasts since they were syphoned off into a separate application...

[darkblue]

I thanks again KBPhoto.

I'm in Devon so I'll have a look at the VCDS Map.

I don't use podcasts so not worried about that.

Cheers

[darkblue]

Ok It would be useful if you can tell me where I can see the VCDS map as I can't find it?

Thanks :-)

[darkblue]

Don't worry, found the VCDS Owners map.

Thanks for the advice,..invaluable!

[KBPhoto]

No problem.

I'm occasionally in Devon, but no plans to head that way anytime soon. Sorry.

[darkblue]

Hi again

I could do with some more advice please re. this MDI retrofit.

So today my MDI kit arrived from Poland (carsystems.pl). Very prompt delivery and all looks OK. My kit includes MDI extension cable which could be useful. My only concern is that the MDI box supplied has the part number 5N0035342G which I guess is the latest version available whereas they advertised 5N0035342E and this is also the version which is on the Skoda parts list for my car (2011 Yeti S) as I checked this with my local dealer. So I'm hoping that this difference in serial nos, makes no difference but if anyone can set my mind at rest of advise otherwise please let me know ?

So anyway I set about an initial quick install lunchtime today to see if I could get my iPod to connect up to my Swing radio with it "connected but sat on the front seat with wires hanging out" kind of way :-) So using the various Briskoda guides I was easily able to remove the stereo, and connected up the new wiring loom between the old one and then connect that to the MDI box and then that to my iPod. All looked ok as my IPod recognised "Media In" and was receiving a battery charge. So I then switched on the radio. This went straight to "Safe" mode and wanted a 4 digit code which I didn't have! So I tried calling my dealer to see if they had the code but they didn't and said that this should never come up if using the same radio in the original vehicle (which it is) anyway, further reading I'm Briskoda I found a post which suggested leaving it got 5 mins and starting the engine which should re sync automatically and detect the radio without needing a code. Sure enough this worked fine. So I now had my radio working and the iPod attached through MDI, I tried pressing the Media button on the radio but it just says "No media". So I'm assuming (and hoping ) that I now just need to connect it up to VCDS and reset the fault codes (as detailed in other threads) which should do the trick. Is that about right?

Thanks again

Tom

[KBPhoto]

Reset fault codes, enable Media Interface (can't remember which number, sorry) in 19-CAN Gateway Instalation list.

Reboot Columbus (press <, > & the mic button together) and all should be fine.

Which type / generation of iPod are you using?

Don't worry about the suffix; it's just an update and shouldn't affect compatibility AFAIK.

[darkblue]

It's an iPod classic. Not sure which model it's a black one with a video screen, Tried my sons iPhone 4 in there too and that didn't work either.

Thanks re. the model suffix, I agree that it should be ok.

So I've contacted one of the chaps from the VCDS owners map who is local to me and I'll see if he can help or my dealer might be willing to sort it seeing as I just bought the car from them.

Cheers

[JCP]

On my first 140 4x4 elegance Yeti I had a retrofiy MDI which behaved just like yours-not recognised- with the O/E bolero and it took a local non franchised VAG specialist about 45 seconds to re-code it and it was faultless \and fine therafter. The VAG system does not allow this kind of thing since you should just pay up for an Audi!!!!

[greenstripe]

Sounds like a coding issue.

Also of note. Your head unit will always lock in to safe mode if you unplug it and then switch it on without turning the ignition on first. To avoid this after reconnecting the head unit, turn the ignition on and wait 10 seconds before attempting to switch on the head unit.