Need Expert in L.A. for RNS-E

[lectrolink]

The display on my 2006 A3 SAT/NAV has gone black, with a few intermittent times when it became visible again. All the functions work fine--it's just the screen is dead. I am pretty sure it is the display ribbon cable to the LCD that has deteriorated.

My normal mechanic is Euro-Tech in Culver City-- I took it to them for a look, but they said my unit was not stock, was made in Japan (I bought the car in 2006 from a guy who had the car set up professionally, but he never mentioned putting in a new/different sat/nav), could not get a part number, etc. I like Euro-Tech for mechanical stuff, but it didn't seem like they had a mechanic there who really knew these units and had experience breaking them apart and putting back together.

I found an ebay seller in Germany with the data ribbon I need, but can anyone recommend a shop (maybe a car radio shop?) that has exprience working on the RNS-E units? I'm guessing that the problem is on the control unit end, so it would take a lot of unscrewing and maybe desoldering to replace the cable. I don't want to risk it myself and definitely don't want to pay to replace the entire unit.

[krew53]

You may possibly have a Dynavin unit which is a knock off of the RNSE.. Post up a pic of it

[lectrolink]

Here is what my unit looks like.

[krew53]

Looks like an OEM unit.. Not sure of any specific RNSE experts in the area so you may need to just try and fix yourself.

Check this.. http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-display-blank

[itsmatt33]

hold down the radio and setup button

[TagEldinAhmed]

It looks like the original to me. I had the same issue, took the unit apart, disconnected then reconnected the ribbon cable and it worked!


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[lectrolink]

When you diassembled/reassembled your unit, was it obvious that the cable was loose on either end? Were there any solder connections you had to deal with?

[TagEldinAhmed]

When you diassembled/reassembled your unit, was it obvious that the cable was loose on either end? Were there any solder connections you had to deal with?

Nope, I was originally worried the cable had gone bad cause there weren't any signs of disconnection. I ended up just unplugging it, then plugging it back into the port as far in as possible, and it worked!
Took me a few minutes to figure out how to connectors worked, since the cables slide out, but the port has clamp-like system to insert it back in. I know it isn't very specific, but hope it helps in some way. Good luck!


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[lectrolink]

I disassembled my RNS-E unit today. Sure enough, there seems to be damage/corrosion on the last two pins on the control unit end of the display ribbon. I would have to cut just over two mm to get past the damage, so it is either that, find some silver paint for elec circuits, or buy a new ribbon for ~$50.

BTW, my 2006 unit is indeed Japanese (my mechanic said there is no Japanese made RNS-E for this model year??): Aisin AW Co, Ltd. Has Audi four rings on label too.

I'm gonna post pics of my unit opened up with detailed closeups of the ribbon ports on the MMI forum.