I have this week taken delivery of my 2nd hand 2015 Roomster, so am just getting to grips with the technology!

 

It has an Admundsen radio/GPS Navigation/Media system.  The cover of the manual says it is Admundsen+, but that is the only indication of the unit type. I can't find a menu option to give any information on the model or firmware.

 

I have been unable to get the "Phone" button to work.  Both the "Phone" button on the control head and on the left stalk of the steering column just turn the volume on/off.

 

I have reset the unit to factory defaults, but it is the same.  The manual does not mention the phone button turning sound on/.off and lists how to connect a phone.  But I can't get to the point of paiting.

Could anyone offer advice about what I should try please?

 

Thanks for reading. 

Are you trying to connect your mobile phone?

 

Try a cable to the USB port first. 

 

If that doesn't work turn on Bluetooth on your phone and on the car and try that.

 

Cable worked for me, phone connects by Bluetooth on its own now. 

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, this is a mobile phone connection I am trying to make.  The phone was broadcasting it's ID on Bluetooth before I turned tried to connect, but it made no difference.

 

Where is the USB port please?  On my unit, all I have is a MICRO SD slot.

Your Amundsen+ looks the same as mine.  You don't have phone connectivity.  The phone button on the Amundsen+ only works if you have some extra module or other to make the bluetooth connection.  It was the same with the Bolero unit on my 2010 Octavia and a similar unit on a friend's VW Scirroco.

The "phone" button should really be labelled "mute" on these units.

On 05/10/2019 at 08:47, NormanW said:

... I can't find a menu option to give any information on the model or firmware...

 

 

Press and hold the setup button

Thanks eccleshill for the information.

 

Pressing and holding the Setup button doesn't provide any information about the unit.  Depending what feature you have selected, eg radio, NAV etc, pressing and holding setup on my unit only displays settings for the feature.  

 

Without knowing the firmware, how do you know if there is an update?

 

Interesting that an additional module is required for the Bluethooth to work, when there are buttons on the steering column and on the unit.  Labelling it mute would make more sense.

In my Yeti Adventure, the radio is an Amundsen+ similar to the photo one , haven't found any additional boxes but the Bluetooth system works fine with several phones and a carista dongle! My radio is probably mid late 2013 when the car was built!

Thanks for responding.  Mine is a 2015, so newer in theory.  I wondered if it is a firmware issue, but not being able to find any information on the unit, I have no idea.  I think I need to ask the dealer at the next service!

46 minutes ago, NormanW said:

Thanks eccleshill for the information.

 

Pressing and holding the Setup button doesn't provide any information about the unit.  Depending what feature you have selected, eg radio, NAV etc, pressing and holding setup on my unit only displays settings for the feature.  

 

Without knowing the firmware, how do you know if there is an update?

 

Interesting that an additional module is required for the Bluethooth to work, when there are buttons on the steering column and on the unit.  Labelling it mute would make more sense.

If you label the phone button as a "Mute" button, then you'd have the odd situation of using the Mute button to access the phone. That's even more illogical that the way it currently is. If the phone module is installed and enabled then the phone buttons will work.

As regards the Amundsen + unit. They're available with or without DAB, Phone, Reverse Camera port. The Bluetooth module may be installed inside the Amundsen + but deactivated, or it may not be installed. Looking at the data label on the side will tell you. However, updating the Software (often referred to as firmware) will not make a non Bluetooth unit into a Bluetooth one.

Edited 10 October, 20196 yr by Rustynuts

1 hour ago, NormanW said:

Pressing and holding the Setup button doesn't provide any information about the unit.  Depending what feature you have selected, eg radio, NAV etc, pressing and holding setup on my unit only displays settings for the feature.  

 

 

You are not holding it long enough.  I just checked mine and it takes about 5 seconds to bring up the service menu - be patient, just press it and hold it in until it appears.  There are 3 options:

1. FM Monitor - gives info about currently  selected FM station  (eg signal strength, frequency) and confirms both aerials are working (the one on the roof and the one in the windscreen)
2. AM Monitor - gives info about the currently selected AM station
3. Versions - this is the one you want.  Select this and use the middle control to scroll down the 3 or so screens of hardware, firmware and map version data.

When you are done just press the radio or media button to return to normal.

 

 

57 minutes ago, Rustynuts said:

If you label the phone button as a "Mute" button, then you'd have the odd situation of using the Mute button to access the phone. That's even more illogical that the way it currently is. If the phone module is installed and enabled then the phone buttons will work.
 

So just fit a "Mute" button to those that have no phone unit and a "Phone" button to those that do.  If the internals are already different it wouldn't be rocket science to fit a different front panel depending on features.

But then if you have the MFSW (which I don't) you would need a different button on that too,

and

maybe it proves that the bluetooth/phone internals are already there but not activated unless you handed over extra £££ for the Amundsen++

Thanks eccleshill for taking the time and trouble to try it with your own vehicles.  I'll try again and hold for longer.  You advice is much appreciated!

I have no details in the unit handbook.  It says there is a 4 digit pass code, but not what it is, and none of the documents say.  I'd liked to have that information before I try and look at the serial number on the side.  

 

No bluetooth is not "die in a ditch", but it would be nice for safety.  It just seems odd that the steering wheel has all the phone buttons, and the amundsen unit, but it doesn't work.  Always a problem when you buy a second hand vehicle, even from reputable dealers!

Your Amundsen Unit is coded to the car so you can take it out and put it back or disconnect the battery without the need for a code to reactivate it.  The code is only needed if you fit it in another vehicle.

 

But I don't think that is what you mean.  The 4 digit code referred to in the Phone section of the user manual is a one-off code generated by the unit as a "handshake" for security to confirm the bluetooth connection.  That is to stop some random person connecting to your unit.

 

The user manual is a general issue that makes no mention of optional extras. My manual has a section for DAB and another for Phone but the unit has neither option.

I assume that if you have the phone option then when you press the phone button a menu or operations screen appears.  You then press setup to connect and customise the phone settings.  If you have no phone option then pressing the phone button just mutes the sound.

 

As I said before, I had an Octavia with a multifunction steering wheel that had a phone button - that also acted as a mute as did the phone button on the unit.

 

Sadly you are just going to have to accept that your car does not have phone functionality!  If whoever sold you the car claimed that it did then a return visit is called for.  If you just assumed that because you had buttons with "phone" on them that you had phone connectivity then blame Skoda for being too lazy to have meaningful button labels!! 

 

 

Interesting....  My manual says that if the battery is disconnected or changed, I will need to input a four digit code to make the radio/NAV unit work.  no mention of it being coded to the vehicle.  That would make sense because i can't find a radio code card, as I have had in other vehicles.

There was no suggestion of a phone, I made the presumption when it had the buttons, it would have the functionality.  I had downloaded soft copies of the manual before buying, to see what it was all about.  Another "bit" that is missing, is the toe hook bracket.  My Roomster has the removable plate in the rear bumper, but when  you open it with the tyre rim tool, as per the manual, nothing.....

 

I like the vehicle, so accept it.  Thanks for all your help and advice!

1 hour ago, eccleshill said:

So just fit a "Mute" button to those that have no phone unit and a "Phone" button to those that do.  If the internals are already different it wouldn't be rocket science to fit a different front panel depending on features.

But then if you have the MFSW (which I don't) you would need a different button on that too,

and

maybe it proves that the bluetooth/phone internals are already there but not activated unless you handed over extra £££ for the Amundsen++

You mean specify a head unit cosmetically to reflect whether or not the car might have a Bluetooth module fitted or not? That's a ridiculous proposal.

 

The buttons on the head unit and steering wheels are there to be used if bluetooth is fitted or activated, and irlf you have a Bluetooth retrofit you'll then need to replace front panels and steering wheels.

2 hours ago, Rustynuts said:

You mean specify a head unit cosmetically to reflect whether or not the car might have a Bluetooth module fitted or not? That's a ridiculous proposal.

 

The buttons on the head unit and steering wheels are there to be used if bluetooth is fitted or activated, and irlf you have a Bluetooth retrofit you'll then need to replace front panels and steering wheels.

 

What I suggest is that FROM THE FACTORY a car should have controls fitted that match the equipment fitted.  I think that is somewhat further from a "ridiculous proposal" than fitting redundant and/or mislabelled controls on the off-chance that a future owner may want to retrofit some extra equipment!!

 

Hardly "cosmetic" when a switch is labelled as a function it doesn't perform!  You'd be pretty annoyed if the light switch had a windscreen wiper icon on it!

I would suggest that fewer than 1 in every 1000 bother to retrofit bluetooth so why annoy/confuse 999 people to save 1 person a few quid on his retrofit or having to live with the wrong label on his switches.

 

Where would it end?

 

My car has a cruise control stalk fitted because it had cruise control factory fitted? So should they fit the same stalk to all cars just in case a future owner may chose to retrofit?  Judging from Briskoda there are plenty of folk that do that - far more than retrofit bluetooth to an Amundsen+.  They could make the switches operate something unrelated I'm sure - maybe the hazard flashers or rear wiper.  No!  Anyone retrofitting a cruise control needs to buy a different stalk to suit; and not just the one stalk either - the whole stalk assembly!

 

My car has a button on the centre console for the tyre deflation warning system (an optional extra when I specified my car)?  Should they fit the same button to all cars but, say, make it operate the interior light?

 

My car doesn't have front fog lights.  The lighting switch doesn't have a redundant position and front fog icon.  It is a specific switch that has a single pull for the rear fogs.  If, like many on Briskoda,  I choose to retrofit front fog lights I need a new switch.

and on and on and on...

 

To be honest, after 6 years  I just live with the "phone" switch that is not a phone switch but a mute switch, but at the time I was pretty p'ed off that I had paid £800 for the upgrade and they couldn't even label the buttons correctly!

You're an idiot...

The towing hook (eyebolt) is seperate, it's in the boot somewhere, mine's in the spare wheel well, you have to screw it in yourself.

 

Thanks Locomotive.  I phrased my comment badly.

Behind the cover in the rear bumper, there is no mounting position for the hook/eyebolt and no electrics.  Clearly not all Roomsters were fitted with the strengthened rear end and the electric connection, together with the attachment point.  So I don't have the towing ball in the spare wheel well either!  But in the manual which came with the car, it shows the layout as if there was a towing ball....

What are you referring to? a tow hitch for a trailer or just a towing eye to recover something?

I have the screw in towing eye, it was the trailer hitch.

 

The manual I have is clear on how to remove the cover in the rear bumper and then install the ball hitch.  But when I take the cover off, the 13 pin socket and the mounting recess (3 & 4 in the maunal photo) are simply not there. Never been installed at the factory.

It's a bit like the "phone" button that started this thread.  The manual suggests they are present and work, but clearly not everything in the manual is present.  It would help if there was a caveat in the manual 'not present in all models'

 

 

I think that only applies if you have had the towbar factory fitted, the manual covers everything that might be fitted at the factory, yours obviously doesn't have it, nether does mine.