RNS 510 Freaky Problem

[hentaiboy]

I have a Version 'C' RNS 510 that was running firmware Ver.2680 when I got it. Due to the navigation being a bit inaccurate at times, I decided to upgrade to Ver.2760.

Last week, the navgation went out by about 10km. Reboots/resets didn't fix it so I reloaded 2760. Since then, I haven't been able to find any satellites, so was forced to use my TomTom GPS, which is where the freaky bit starts...

The TomTom couldn't find any satellites either and I discovered that the RNS was interferring with the signal! I had to physically remove the RNS from the car to get the TomTom working!!!

Now the RNS antenna is a cheapy eBay job, but unlikely to cause such interference surely? Could I have a faulty GPS circuit in the RNS???

Expert opinions welcome

[ian]

Most here have the same GPS Antenna which come with the unit ,my self have had no issues with the one i bought from Lithuania , Might be just a bad connection , try sitting the Antenna on top of the dash with the unit just sitting in its cradle if you cant get any signal buy another one or see if they will lend it while you check it out .

[hentaiboy]

Hi Guys, still need help with this one. I ended up buying a second RNS 510 and after a couple of weeks it has developed exactly the same problem (can't get a satellite fix). I've also tried another GPS antenna.

So there's obviously something amiss in the firmware/map versions I'm using or VCDS settings?

1. Firmware tried is 2680/2760 and V4 maps.
2. VCDS seems to have been reset with the installation of the new unit (I've lost the MFD display) but it should work anyway, right?
3. There is some Internet talk of "disabling the internal compass" when installing an RNS 510. Is this valid? I know the unit still tries to guide me using the car's computer even if I don't have a satellite fix but this is normal correct?

Would appreciate any suggestions. Cheers.

[Transporter]

Where did you place the GPS antenna? Maybe it would be worth to put in on the dash as close to the windscreen as possible, unless you already tried that.

[hentaiboy]

Where did you place the GPS antenna? Maybe it would be worth to put in on the dash as close to the windscreen as possible, unless you already tried that.

Hi, it's tucked up above and behind the RNS 510 as per below. Unit was working perfectly for two weeks but then suddenly lost its fix (same as the first unit).

[vk]

Hi, it's tucked up above and behind the RNS 510 as per below. Unit was working perfectly for two weeks but then suddenly lost its fix (same as the first unit).

Any chance you can try the unit in someone elses car?
maybe your car has some crazy thing going on.

[hentaiboy]

Any chance you can try the unit in someone elses car?

Not unless someone wants to volunteer.

Just had a thought...my car has a 'Factory' Bluetooth kit fitted. Could this be interfering?

[jameshero]

2. VCDS seems to have been reset with the installation of the new unit (I've lost the MFD display) but it should work anyway, right?

For the Navigation related MFD screen to appear you need to enable it on the RNS510 using VCDS, as you're using a different unit you will need to program it, I believe it's at the bottom of Byte 7, and is called something like Communication Instrument Cluster via ... (BAP). But yes, navigation should still work, can't hurt to rectify though can it?

3. There is some Internet talk of "disabling the internal compass" when installing an RNS 510. Is this valid? I know the unit still tries to guide me using the car's computer even if I don't have a satellite fix but this is normal correct?

As far as I know, Australian cars do not have a compass module built in, however American cars do have one under the roof liner at the back of the hatch. This can combine with the RNS510 to create unnecessary congestion on the CAN Bus and cause problems. But if yours is Australian, this is unlikely to be the problem.

This module is unrelated to the ability for the RNS510 to calculate its position based on an earlier satellite fix, as that works on wheel angle and speed.

Of course neither of those fixes your real issue, sorry about that. Do you get any errors in VCDS?

[ian]

Not unless someone wants to volunteer.

Just had a thought...my car has a 'Factory' Bluetooth kit fitted. Could this be interfering?

Give Bea at Camden GTI a ring,i'm sure he can sort it out for you .

[hentaiboy]

Give Bea at Camden GTI a ring,i'm sure he can sort it out for you .

I'll do that, thanks.

[Ryan_R]

The only time my sat-nav went crazy was just after I installed it, lasted for about 10 minutes before calibrating, but this is supposedly normal. Perhaps there's a lose connection somewhere so that this behaviour is repeating, which might also explain the loss of the MDI screen.

[GraveDilute]

Hi,

I used to work for the supplier of Toyota OEM nav units.
Let's just check that there aren't any physical issues with the antenna.

Just checking your location of antenna, is there metal above by any chance?
Have you tested with the antenna sitting on the dash with a clear view to the sky? (ie. down front under glass?)

Another thing to try is any kind of metal plate underneath the antenna. Cheaper antennas need this to increase the signal

TBH, your symptoms sound more like a system setting issue but I don't know enough about VCDS to help.

[Ryan_R]

Assuming he has the exact same antenna that the rest of us do, the location shouldn't be an issue since that's where we all stick them as part of the retrofit guide.

[hentaiboy]

I've tried two different antennas

GPS Antenna fakra for volkswagen MFD2 RNS2 MFD3 RNS510 | eBay

GPS Antenna for volkswagen MFD2 RNS2 MFD3 RNS510 5Metre | eBay

I believe the antenna is working because the number of satellites changes as I drive around (up to 11 max). The unit just won't fix on any of them.

[Ryan_R]

Mine looked more like this:
GPS Antenna VW RNS 310, RNS310, RNS 510, RNS510, MFD3 | eBay

It's been over a year since I fitted it though