Hello people,

I got a 2011, VRS a few days ago. Primarily for a long trip. Seems decent so far, but I want to add power, music and just get things working. I have a few issues/questions. Hoping these are common and easy for experienced here, I have been trawling forum, maybe I have missed some stuff.

1. The head unit did not display. The touch screen worked but there was no display. I tried removing fuse. No luck. (Bolero, Delphi)

   I purchased a head unit from breaker (Bolero, blaupunkt), assuming I could easily generate a code. However none of the normal sites work and say they cannot generate a code. Some say 'a Skoda serial was detected but it is 10 digits longer than expected' (definitely isn't)

   I could cut my losses and get an aftermarket unit, but tbh I like things to be stock. Any advice appreciated

2. The glove box light is always on when the doors are unlocked. I can't see where the switch is for detecting glove box closure, if I push it hard it turns off, but on when I remove pressure. The light switch seems missing (just a round area with an off centre hole) - anyone know where the switch is, and whether I can replace the actual manual switch?

3. The cabin/map lights blink/flash. They seem to be LED? I removed the fuse and cleaned it a bit and they flash less(will replace fuse and see what that does) anyone had this before?

4. There is something in the glove box, like a old iPhone charger, it is Skoda branded, is this the ODB reader? Not seen this format before.

It looks like the previous owner had a reverse camera and usb power attached to a different head unit but remove it and chopped wires before sale. If I do go aftermarket any recommendations that keep good features (Aircon display? Reverse. Sensor display etc) let me know.

I plan to add some usb units via fuse spur. Any key points or quirks for this particular vehicle appreciated.

Thanks!

Ok I have worked out the device in the glove box is MDI, but it's box with an extension to another female MDI port. Unsure what for?

On the code I got a response which just said 'we can't decide Skoda radios at this time' anyone know why this would be?

Edited 3 July3 Jul by SelfEvolution

The MDI is/was a propriety USB port as an option on VAG group cars.

On my car I have the MDI cable to USB female.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/287319846346

Plugged into that I have a 500GB HDD that contains all my music files. Works great.

I have seen an MDI to bluetooth receiver if that works for you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356780893277

You can get iPod cable adapters as well.

18 hours ago, SelfEvolution said:

The glove box light is always on when the doors are unlocked. I can't see where the switch is for detecting glove box closure, if I push it hard it turns off, but on when I remove pressure. The light switch seems missing (just a round area with an off centre hole) - anyone know where the switch is, and whether I can replace the actual manual switch?

I am not sure exactly what you mean. The switch mechanism is part of the light unit. How do you know the light is on if the glovebox is closed?

3 hours ago, tetley said:

I am not sure exactly what you mean. The switch mechanism is part of the light unit. How do you know the light is on if the glovebox is closed?

Mostly because I took the head unit out and could see it. So I could see the light on and it's off when I press the glove box in. I don't think it will be a problem, I just like things to work as they should. I think the actual circular switch has been pulled off.

4 hours ago, tetley said:

The MDI is/was a propriety USB port as an option on VAG group cars.

On my car I have the MDI cable to USB female.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/287319846346

Plugged into that I have a 500GB HDD that contains all my music files. Works great.

I have seen an MDI to bluetooth receiver if that works for you. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356780893277

You can get iPod cable adapters as well.

Thanks will have a look at how I can use it.

On 02/07/2026 at 22:01, SelfEvolution said:

The glove box light is always on

Did you put smartphone in to check it?

On 02/07/2026 at 22:01, SelfEvolution said:

The cabin/map lights blink/flash. They seem to be LED?

LED there = problem. Bulb has very low resistance and works well with the PWM driver.

Another problem there is unreliable switch.

On 05/07/2026 at 22:48, kokosal said:

Did you put smartphone in to check it?

LED there = problem. Bulb has very low resistance and works well with the PWM driver.

Another problem there is unreliable switch.

No I could see the light through the gap where the head unit was out. Because the switch dial is missing I'm assuming it is just set to on? I poked around in the hole where the dial seems to go but couldn't seem to find a mechanism. But also I can feel the switch clicking when I depress the glove box so assuming the glove box hinge probably needs tightening in some way? It's not a big concern as it's off when locked.

Will replace light with normal bulbs and see if that helps, but they have completely stopped working now.

lamp has little paddle. Maybe broken and lost.

bulb is always connected to +12v Other end is controled by mosfet PWM to the ground.

So as an update for anyone who stumbled across this and my attempt to make the head unit work/unlock it.

This is a Blaupunkt Bolero unit:

Skoda Part: 1Z0 035 156 F

Blaupunkt Part: 7 648 258 360

I successfully dumped the M95128 EEPROM. But after more research I now know this specific revision uses a dual security architecture. The PIN is tied to both the 95128 EEPROM and the NEC microcontroller on the main board.

Gave up at this point.

Hopefully, this thread saves someone else the headache of trying to unlock this themselves if they can't access the processor