So I've ordered this. To save me having to fanny around with the 2005 canbus, would it not be possible to just cut the wire that connects to the radio? I don't have steering wheel controls OR maxidot so neither of those will do anything anyway.

 

I don't think disconnecting the CAN cables is going to help at all. I would imagine it will still stay powered up and cause battery drain as it still won't get a message over the CAN bus to tell it to power down properly. It certainly won't start up and shut down with ignition as it's suppose to. It might also confuse the satnav functionality as it won't be getting speed data either.

 

It's only a 10-15 minute job to switch the CAN gateway over on earlier cars - this is assuming you have a 2005 Octavia MK2 as it's not clear from your post.

I don't think disconnecting the CAN cables is going to help at all. I would imagine it will still stay powered up and cause battery drain as it still won't get a message over the CAN bus to tell it to power down properly. It certainly won't start up and shut down with ignition as it's suppose to. It might also confuse the satnav functionality as it won't be getting speed data either.

 

It's only a 10-15 minute job to switch the CAN gateway over on earlier cars - this is assuming you have a 2005 Octavia MK2 as it's not clear from your post.

I have a 2005 however finding a scrap car here I can salvage the CAN from is proving almost impossible. I don't want to spend over 100 quid on a piece of plastic that I already have if I can just cut the wiring for it. I also don't know anybody who has VCDS here who could re-program it.

 

Would it not make a difference if I turned it on and off manually?

Edited 26 January, 201610 yr by lulzyboy

Turning it off using the front power button doesn't actually turn the unit off, it just turns the display off.

 

I've just connected a spare RNS-310 to a bench power supply for you.

 

It's only got the permanent power and ground wires connected as I think that's what your suggesting. I powered it up, entered the code and let it boot completely, I've then turned it off with the front power button and it's currently pulling ~0.7A at ~12.5V. I'll leave it connected and see if this drops but if it doesn't, then it's more than enough to flatten the car battery. I would expect the RNS-315 and RNS-510 to behave in a very similar fashion as they all have power drain issues when not used with the correct CAN gateway.

 

There are plenty of CAN gateways on eBay for £20-£30 which would do the job although I didn't see any that offer to pre-program the gateway for you.

Just to add some more info, after about 10-15 minutes the power use drops from 0.7A to 0.004A which sounds a much better value and unlikely to cause issues with battery drain. It also seems to remember the code which is a bonus.

 

I'll turn it back on and see how long it stays powered up for as it may only be in 1 hour mode without CAN communication.

After about 30 minutes the unit turned itself off. I expect it will do the same once fitted if you drive for more than 30 minutes without touching any controls on the RNS-315.

 

So it looks like it will work without CAN bus connections but you will:

- loose functionally

- need to press buttons every 20 minutes to keep it on

- turn it on/off yourself

- enter the code if the battery is removed or low

 

That sounds terrible installation even if it does avoid the battery drain issues.

 

There must be someone local that had VCDS or a friendly VAG specialist somewhere near you that can help code in a new gateway. I could send you a pre-programmed one but I'd ideally like to see a current VCDS scan to make sure everything is correct.

After about 30 minutes the unit turned itself off. I expect it will do the same once fitted if you drive for more than 30 minutes without touching any controls on the RNS-315.

 

So it looks like it will work without CAN bus connections but you will:

- loose functionally

- need to press buttons every 20 minutes to keep it on

- turn it on/off yourself

- enter the code if the battery is removed or low

 

That sounds terrible installation even if it does avoid the battery drain issues.

 

There must be someone local that had VCDS or a friendly VAG specialist somewhere near you that can help code in a new gateway. I could send you a pre-programmed one but I'd ideally like to see a current VCDS scan to make sure everything is correct.

 

Thanks for doing these experiments, it helps a lot. I have VCDS lite if that will let me read it?

VCDS Lite won't work on canbus cars.

 

You need either a MicroCan or HEX+CAN cable to work on a mk2 Octavia

 

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/applications/golfjetta.html

VCDS Lite won't work on canbus cars.

 

You need either a MicroCan or HEX+CAN cable to work on a mk2 Octavia

 

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/applications/golfjetta.html

I've got a VAG KKL wire here if thats any use?

It arrived, I've fitted the unit but I've got another problem. The radio antenna in my car is only 1 fitting, not 2. Should I have a second one somewhere?

Earlier cars only had a single AM/FM antenna where as later cars had a AM/FM and a second FM for diversity. The headunit switches to whichever FM antenna has the best signal.

 

You might need an adaptor but as long as it's connected to the AM/FM socket on the headunit it doesn't make too much difference. It'll have an error stored on the headunit though

Earlier cars only had a single AM/FM antenna where as later cars had a AM/FM and a second FM for diversity. The headunit switches to whichever FM antenna has the best signal.

 

You might need an adaptor but as long as it's connected to the AM/FM socket on the headunit it doesn't make too much difference. It'll have an error stored on the headunit though

I managed to push it into ant 1 but reception seems MUCH worse than the older stream unit. Could it need both to make it better?

 

And is this the right one?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Fakra-Radio-Aerial-Antenna-diversity-Adaptor-RNS-RCD-510-310-315-Skoda-SEAT-/121840237458?hash=item1c5e3e7b92:g:OGkAAOSwp5JWXZJj

Edited 27 January, 201610 yr by lulzyboy

Looks about right, or at least it's similar to what other members seem to fit. Not sure if it helps signal strength or fixes the fault code.

Also what can bus works and what doesn't? I've got 1KO 907 530 E

Edited 27 January, 201610 yr by lulzyboy

Assuming it's a 1K0 907 530 E running software version 110, it should be possible to update the software version to 178 and fix the battery drain without replacement according to: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Navigation_System_(RNS510)_Retrofitting

 

This is something that VCDS cannot do, you need to find either a specialist with VCP or ODIS-e. Your local Skoda dealer might even be able to do the update but I don't know what they would charge.

 

If you do replace it, you need 1K0 907 530 L or higher to be safe. Avoid 1K0 907 530 P as some work and others don't.

 

You can also update to the newer gateway versions that start 7N0 907 530. The AN rev is very easy to find

Assuming it's a 1K0 907 530 E running software version 110, it should be possible to update the software version to 178 and fix the battery drain without replacement according to: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Navigation_System_(RNS510)_Retrofitting

 

This is something that VCDS cannot do, you need to find either a specialist with VCP or ODIS-e. Your local Skoda dealer might even be able to do the update but I don't know what they would charge.

 

If you do replace it, you need 1K0 907 530 L or higher to be safe. Avoid 1K0 907 530 P as some work and others don't.

 

You can also update to the newer gateway versions that start 7N0 907 530. The AN rev is very easy to find

 

Would Skoda just charge me 1 hour service for it? If so then it's cheaper than http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OE-Can-Bus-Gateway-For-VW-Eos-Jetta-Golf-Touran-RNS315-RNS510-RCD510-7N0907530AM-/321553406129?hash=item4ade1398b1:g:VswAAOSwcu5UP0co but this is from China so I don't know if its real or not

Depends how friendly your dealer is!

 

Don't get a 7N0 907 530 AM, it expects a battery regulation circuit you won't have. Get a 7N0 907 530 AN. Mine came from China, is real and works perfectly.

 

It might be worth joining the rosstech forums as there are at least two active members from Estonia with VCDS. I don't think they are very close to you (2-3 hour drive) but they might also be able to suggest someone closer, have a look for aus and golfi_vend.

Depends how friendly your dealer is!

 

Don't get a 7N0 907 530 AM, it expects a battery regulation circuit you won't have. Get a 7N0 907 530 AN. Mine came from China, is real and works perfectly.

 

It might be worth joining the rosstech forums as there are at least two active members from Estonia with VCDS. I don't think they are very close to you (2-3 hour drive) but they might also be able to suggest someone closer, have a look for aus and golfi_vend.

VCDS wouldn't let me update my module tho. I'd rather do that than upgrade it as right now the car works perfectly and I can be assured it still will afterwards.

I visited Skoda Pärnu today. Managed to get them to order me the part I needed and also got an appointment to see if they can update the CAN. I told him what's been said here and that ODIS-E is needed and he confirmed they have the software to do it. Will find out on Monday.

Great, good luck and let us know how you get on

Great, good luck and let us know how you get on

 

He said Skoda have to allow them to update it first so would there be any reason they would decline to do so?

That I don't know. You have the tpi numbers on rosstechs site so that may help.

I can also send you the flash file if you'd like.

Dealers don't like updating the CAN gateway as it's more hassle than it's worth. I'd expect that "Skoda won't allow us to do it, we have to sell you a new one" will be their response. But you may be lucky.

I really don't understand why you're making this harder than it is. Talk of cutting wires and bodge fixes to stop the unit working as its supposed to is just daft, when you could just fit the correct part and carry on. Find someone with VCDS who'll do a scan for you, order the CANbus gateway precoded with that information, and fit it. Job sorted. £100 max and a bit of time.

 

As pointed out, the CAN wire carries all sorts of signals to the unit, such as the instrument lighting, data from wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors, etc which all make the unit function properly. It needs the correct CAN signal to function correctly so just give it what it wants and needs, and it'll be great.

Dealers don't like updating the CAN gateway as it's more hassle than it's worth. I'd expect that "Skoda won't allow us to do it, we have to sell you a new one" will be their response. But you may be lucky.

I really don't understand why you're making this harder than it is. Talk of cutting wires and bodge fixes to stop the unit working as its supposed to is just daft, when you could just fit the correct part and carry on. Find someone with VCDS who'll do a scan for you, order the CANbus gateway precoded with that information, and fit it. Job sorted. £100 max and a bit of time.

 

As pointed out, the CAN wire carries all sorts of signals to the unit, such as the instrument lighting, data from wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors, etc which all make the unit function properly. It needs the correct CAN signal to function correctly so just give it what it wants and needs, and it'll be great.

 

Cutting the wires was an idea I came up with for a solution while waiting on deciding what to do with the CAN. My dealer seems a lot more friendlier than the UK ones I read about on here quite often and will do anything as long as you pay them for the time it takes for them to do it. They said they've updated some before but not for the RNS radio reason (it was for reprogramming extras added later) and that it's a quick 15 min procedure as the VIN code along with the extras you added gets sent to Skoda and the software comes from them.

UPDATE!

 

 

The software was updated today without a single problem. Before they did it they recorded all the errors that were stored in the car. Strangely enough theres quite a few that make no sense to me, such as wiring fault with the memory seats... a function I don't even have. 

 

Let's see if the battery remains charged overnight.