MMI screen off, black, wont turn on

[audis4culver]

So I have read all the posts about the MMI screen not turning on. Most of which say its temperature related. I dont quite buy that. My 2011 S4 is always in a garage and internal temps are not hot. My screen went dead yesterday. Everything else still works.. radio, etc.
I removed the screen to check for any possible damage.. looks super clean and still new. I have done the reset button suggestion but does not help. Any other ideas out there about why it wont turn on? Has anyone taken the screen out and figured out how to test it? I am about to have to take it to a dealer. thanks.

[Gunnark100]

So I have read all the posts about the MMI screen not turning on. Most of which say its temperature related. I dont quite buy that. My 2011 S4 is always in a garage and internal temps are not hot. My screen went dead yesterday. Everything else still works.. radio, etc.
I removed the screen to check for any possible damage.. looks super clean and still new. I have done the reset button suggestion but does not help. Any other ideas out there about why it wont turn on? Has anyone taken the screen out and figured out how to test it? I am about to have to take it to a dealer. thanks.

If you dont have diagnostic tool, check errors in green menu(dtc menu, qualifid dtc) and check which fault you have there regarding screen! Best is to swap after, screen with somebody(it does not throw cp) and you have 100% answer. There is cheaper(new from dealer is killer price:)) ways to repair this, but depending what is exactly wrong with screen!

[audis4culver]

thanks. the screen is completely out - so I cannot access the green menu. I will run a diagnostic tonight. If I do need to replace the screen - does anyone know if there is an upgraded version of the screen that might be better than the original one?

[jygesq]

have you tried a full reboot of the car by disconnecting the main battery terminals from the battery? I do not think you have anything to loose except the trip odometer setting will disappear. POSSIBLY OTHERS ON THIS FORUM WILL CHIME IN as to whether this will cause any problems.

[infinkc]

Try an mmi reset

[audis4culver]

thanks. had the same thought about the battery disconnect. hope it doesnt lose all of my presets or screw up the key connection? I tried the 3 button mmi reset - that didnt help.

[MagillaGorilla]

If it really is broken maybe the MMI 3G+ (from B8.5) upgrade is something you could look into. There is a thread going about it.

[Gunnark100]

thanks. the screen is completely out - so I cannot access the green menu.

Deem, sry, my mistake with green menu. With battery terminal off all you probably need after is sync windows open-close(at least i did it almost everytime).

[jsh139]

FWIW, I've disconnected the battery and the only thing that reset were the trip 2 logs. Everything else stayed intact. Seat settings, radio presets and sound levels, keyless settings, etc. Didn't have to do anything with the windows either.

[audis4culver]

No fault codes that i could find.. My reader might not be the best either. So know i was thinking of trying to pull the power cord from the control module. Still scared to disconnect the battery- i've heard a wide variety from no problems to total reset. Still trying to figure this out.


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[VR6OhMy]

Got the same thing on my 2012 S4. Still can't find an answer.

[audis4culver]

Did u try putting in a new screen? 150 bucks on ebay. My screen looks so brand new that i cant believe its bad. About to take it to the dealer for a full diagnostic before i buy the screen.


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[Tanner]

Have you checked to see if the backlight still works? No idea if the MMI screen uses cold cathode fluorescent lamp or LED for backlighting. If it's the CCFL then it could be that dead or the power supply for the CCFL.

[audis4culver]

Backlight? Sorry i dont see any light anywhere at the screen. The red lights at the radio and control buttons all work fine.


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[Senseless]

Generally speaking, LCD backlight failures are common. Shine a flashlight at the screen. If you see an image there, the backlights have failed, but the rest of the monitor is ok.

[Tanner]

LCD backlight failures are common. Shine a flashlight at the screen. If you see an image there, the backlights have failed, but the rest of the monitor is ok.

Yup, you beat me to that suggestion.

[audis4culver]

Flashlight.. No image at all.


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[Senseless]

Try turning the radio on and pressing the screen to see if preset stations change. It would be interesting to see if the touchscreen is working or not.

[audis4culver]

2011... Dont have the touch screen. Wish i did.


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[jygesq]

Try turning the radio on and pressing the screen to see if preset stations change. It would be interesting to see if the touchscreen is working or not.

What touch screen?

[Senseless]

What touch screen?

Oops; thinking of my other car. (It's late)

[audis4culver]

does anyone know where the control module is that powers the entire mmi system? I am thinking of pulling the power on it to try to reset the system. Or is pulling the power on it basically the same as pulling the battery? I am scared to pull the battery and have all sorts of other issues come up. I see two modules in the trunk and then on some websites I see some sort of module behind the glovebox - bluetooth? not sure 2011's have the module behind the glovebox but not sure. thanks.

[audis4culver]

So I bought a new screen .. and it too is black/wont turn on. So now I am stumped. The screen is not the issue. Is there a bad cable? Everything works in the car, the radio, bluetooth, cd... my fault codes are the following:
Fault codes:
02259 Information Display and Control Head (Front) (part # 8t1035664c)
004 No Signal/Communication.

00003 Control Module (part # 8t0035223AN)
014- Defective.

[audis4culver]

Finally broke down and brought it into a shop. after about and hour they told me it was a defective MMI module. Part : 8t0919609fwfx This is the entire console piece. I have never had any liquid or heat damage to this part so I am clueless as to why it went bad. Cost for new part range from $350 to $700 They will have to re-code the unit once I buy one but I am curious if anyone out there has had to do this and any suggestions or upgrades while I'm at it? Thanks.

[audis4culver]

Saga continues... for anyone out there with the same blank screen issue. Brought it to the first mechanic who suspected the module on the console was bad. They told me a new one would need to be re-coded. That threw up a red flag since this forum and the audi dealership told me the console units are plug and play. So.. I decided to take it to the dealership - after 3 1/2 hours they came back and found no faults. Checked the amp and said it was good. They did not charge me the $150 diagnostic but said they now needed to do a complete loop diagnostic module by module to find the issue. $500 bucks and it would take a day and a half. I told them I would have to think about that one. What is the thought on this? Should I just start buying modules, starting with the 5F module, then the center console... I know my screen is good because I already bought a brand new one and it too did not turn on. All of these modules are returnable so far. Any help would be appreciated.

[infinkc]

Find someone local and put their dash mmi unit into yours, easy check.

[audis4culver]

I actually bought one tonight.. First module to see if it works. Not too many s4's or a4's that i can convince to test around my neighborhood.


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[Senseless]

I was reading up on the MMI system and see that if anything fails along the chain, the entire system goes down. There's a way to bypass around each suspected part to reveal the culprit, but I'm not sure how you would find a defective cable or connector.
You probably saw this: http://www.audiworld.com/how-tos/a/a...come-on-421932

[audis4culver]

Thanks for the input, yes I saw that post along with many others. With mine.. the "entire system" works - meaning the radio, cd, bluetooth, even the backup camera beeping sound - just no screen. I ordered the mmi unit and will see what happens. have to wait until monday or tuesday delivery. Its a used one.. but supposedly in good working condition - so hopefully it will lead me to the next stage in solving this. I'm not smart enough to do 'loop' bypass testing.. but also not willing to pay 500 bucks for the dealer to do it. This all sounds like such a small problem to have when we are all about driving and playing with cool cars - but I can tell you when you're screen goes out - its annoying as hell !!

I was reading up on the MMI system and see that if anything fails along the chain, the entire system goes down. There's a way to bypass around each suspected part to reveal the culprit, but I'm not sure how you would find a defective cable or connector.
You probably saw this: http://www.audiworld.com/how-tos/a/a...come-on-421932

[Senseless]

Does the MMI unit have the video output to the screen? That would be worth a try. I would also like to check continuity of the harnesses to the screen and whether it was getting power. I'm wondering if the screen, absent a valid signal but turned on, would display something. "No signal" or something like that. It probably powers with 12 or 5 volts.

[audis4culver]

Very nice idea.. I am not smart enough electrically to hook up a 12 volt to the cable. Its a strange looking cable but it does go from the 5f mmi to the screen. I should be getting another 5f by monday or tuesday so i'll just wait another day or two.


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[audis4culver]

So the 'used' but in great condition nee 5f module arrived. Hooked it up.. Screen now works! But... Now no sound! Everything functions as far as going thru the menus. At start up i get the 'component protection' message and to start the ignition- which i have but no change. I am not in front of a good computer right now but anyone know how to fix this? I did the three button reset but did not help.


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[infinkc]

So the 'used' but in great condition nee 5f module arrived. Hooked it up.. Screen now works! But... Now no sound! Everything functions as far as going thru the menus. At start up i get the 'component protection' message and to start the ignition- which i have but no change. I am not in front of a good computer right now but anyone know how to fix this? I did the three button reset but did not help.


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Have to go to the dealer, to get component protection removed.

[audis4culver]

Ugh.. Thats what i was afraid of. Thanks for the help.


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[Senseless]

Have to go to the dealer, to get component protection removed.

That's to keep the car break-ins down, I guess. It removes the incentive to steal these modules if they can't be re-used easily. But what kind of proof does the dealer require before they will activate it?

[audis4culver]

Ugh !! This is crazy. The Audi dealership told me since I didnt buy the 5F module through them, they will not work on it. So now I'm left trying to find someone who can remove the 'component protection'. Any ideas out there? Is this something I can trust some other mechanic to do? Not sure exactly what it entails - from a youtube post it appears someone can just go in and fix this through some VAG software.
Lesson's learned so far:
1: Never buy the audi approved air conditioning cleaning spray that you are supposed to spray into the air intake under the passenger seat. This spray most likely did something to my original 5f module.
2: With the screen not working and the dealership and other mechanics giving you various fault codes - none of which were correct. This tells me there is no code for this type of situation. I first bought the center console button module since a mechanic told me this was the bad part. Not. Only by process of elimination did I find that my 5f module was the culprit. I suspect something went wrong with the screen input plug on the back of the 5f module but not sure.
3: the dealer wanted 500 bucks to do a 'loop' test - this maybe would have found it.. but cost a hell of lot more. So far I'm out 250 bucks for the replaced 5f unit. I was able to return and refund the center console I bought first.
4: 99% of the people I talked to outside of this forum all told me I had a bad amp - follow your gut and dont always believe what the other experts are saying. We all know how much amps are and that they need to be re-programmed.
Saga continues.. I need to get rid of the 'component protection' ......

[infinkc]

Ugh !! This is crazy. The Audi dealership told me since I didnt buy the 5F module through them, they will not work on it. So now I'm left trying to find someone who can remove the 'component protection'. Any ideas out there? Is this something I can trust some other mechanic to do? Not sure exactly what it entails - from a youtube post it appears someone can just go in and fix this through some VAG software.
Lesson's learned so far:
1: Never buy the audi approved air conditioning cleaning spray that you are supposed to spray into the air intake under the passenger seat. This spray most likely did something to my original 5f module.
2: With the screen not working and the dealership and other mechanics giving you various fault codes - none of which were correct. This tells me there is no code for this type of situation. I first bought the center console button module since a mechanic told me this was the bad part. Not. Only by process of elimination did I find that my 5f module was the culprit. I suspect something went wrong with the screen input plug on the back of the 5f module but not sure.
3: the dealer wanted 500 bucks to do a 'loop' test - this maybe would have found it.. but cost a hell of lot more. So far I'm out 250 bucks for the replaced 5f unit. I was able to return and refund the center console I bought first.
4: 99% of the people I talked to outside of this forum all told me I had a bad amp - follow your gut and dont always believe what the other experts are saying. We all know how much amps are and that they need to be re-programmed.
Saga continues.. I need to get rid of the 'component protection' ......

i can do it but need both units.

[audis4culver]

i can do it but need both units.

thanks. I appreciate knowing you can do this - I have both units. Let me first check with another local mech shop before I start sending the module cross country.

[audis4culver]

So the 3 month long saga finally came to an end yesterday (9/21/16). I live in Atlanta with two large Audi dealerships. One dealer would not remove the protection code because I did not buy the part through them. The other dealer had no issues, brought it in, 45 minutes later the code was removed - sound and full functionality has returned. Bill for the code removal was $150
Thanks to all who helped with this. Lesson learned, never spray air conditioning refresher into any intake inside your car - it will find its way into your electronics one way or another. I have my old 5F module if anyone wants to buy it for parts.. otherwise I will post it on ebay. Anyone with some know how most likely can easily fix the port that links up with the screen -everything else still works on it. Thanks.

[Silverbullet S4]

I think I have this exact same problem. Everything I read also said it was heat related which is not at all the case with mine (cool temps and stored in a garage). It's been several months, but I did swap out the cabin filter and sprayed a bunch of the audi approved odor eliminator spray stuff in there. Tried the 3 button reset several times, checked all wiring back to the amp and all the other obvious stuff and all looks well. Reading codes is about worthless for me since I have all speakers and factory amp swapped out, so it always throws a ton of codes in that regard.
I need to do some more digging but do you have any pictures handy of what the 5F module looks like or the connections to check? Hoping I can just remove it, clean the terminals/connections and hope for the best.