Sad saga of the RNS510

[jb747]

Right now I'm in the middle of a saga.

Last week I had an Australian sourced RNS510 installed in the R32. It came to life normally, but didn't see any satellites. We figured it just needed to be out and about for a while, so it was all put back together and driven home. Unfortunately, after an hour or so, it still thought it was in Germany, so back to the installer.

Moving the antenna to a more exposed position made no difference, so a replacement antenna was installed. Still no joy.

Pressing the right hand knob simply has the system announce that 'navigation is not active'.

At this stage I think the system is going to have to be returned.....bugger.

[origin]

Hi JB747,

Do you have a screenshot?

Did you go to a secret menu?

Thanks
origin

[jb747]

I'm not home at the moment, so I can't get a screenshot.

I do know about the hidden menu, and looked at that. I shows the Sensis nav data as being loaded, and the software version, etc. But, zero satellites.

If I force a position, by inserting a lat/long within Melbourne, then it shows the map, but of course, it can't navigate. Anyway, spotting the satellites should be independent of whatever map software is installed...I'd expect it to find them even if nothing was loaded.

All other features...sound, DVD, radio, work perfectly.

[gordon]

I'm not home at the moment, so I can't get a screenshot.

I do know about the hidden menu, and looked at that. I shows the Sensis nav data as being loaded, and the software version, etc. But, zero satellites.

If I force a position, by inserting a lat/long within Melbourne, then it shows the map, but of course, it can't navigate. Anyway, spotting the satellites should be independent of whatever map software is installed...I'd expect it to find them even if nothing was loaded.

All other features...sound, DVD, radio, work perfectly.

Sorry to hear about your drama's! If there's any settings you want me to check on my RNS 510 i'm happy to help.

Can you tell me where to find the hidden menu?

[jb747]

Hidden menu....

When the system initially starts up it shows the VW logo. Immediately after that it says something to the effect of 'system starting'. Whilst that is happening, press the setup button and hold it for 15 or so seconds. It should boot to the menu. If you do this after the system is active, it only shows a radio setup.

[Logzy]

Because the GPS antenna does not have the plastic FRKA connector on it it can be very easy to plug this in slightly crooked.
If this happens then it will push the small pin in the RNS510 socket into the unit.

Take the 510 out and have a look at the antenna connector on the back.
There should be a little pin sitting in there the same as the AM/FM antennas.

If this is ok and the antenna is ok then it is a faulty unit.

[jdd]

I’m not familiar with this specific GPS but do I know that some of them can take an extraordinarily long time to work out where they are if their date & time and approx location isn’t set correctly.
Does the GPS have the capability to show the signal strength of each satellite it is receiving a signal from ? If so, what strength and how many satellites can it see ?

[Guy_H]

JB747 - if it was your car at Volkspower? If it was, we have a little more info today, but we need to find out some more info...

Just found that some cars have started to come with the new athermic heat reflective windscreens - the only way you can tell is by the option codes in the book (option P4GF) - if this is fitted (either factory fitted or fitted afterwards) they don't allow sat signals through - so Brett will try to test the unit with the antennae on the outside of the car. If thats the case, then it will need the shark fin style unit on the roof.

If its a faulty unit, it will get swapped over (next batch in transit).

[Guy_H]

P.S. the Antennae connector is straight plug on, with plastic lock recepticle so we know thats OK!

[jb747]

Guy, it is my car, and I didn't mention any names as I did not want to imply any criticism of the supplier or installer. I'm happy that both will work through the issue with me.

I guess there are two points to the thread...Firstly any info will always be appreciated, and we know the net is a very diverse source. And secondly it's bit of a warning. If I had imported this unit ex ebay, I'd now be well up the creek. I chose not to go that route because support for any issues would not exist, so now my reasoning appears sound.