Flat battery problem after installing 9000-1 - any suggestions ?

[NZTiguan]

Sounds as if you need an installer who knows his business !!

[qsilverza]

Have you spoken to Marty at FHRX ? He quite resourceful you know.

[clip]

I don't have the AVC9000-1, but I'm sure the connection is the same. You would have got an external adapter that plugs into the back of the unit which then plugs into the VW plug.

Now if you're steering buttons are working, then all is good. The dealer hasn't disabled it. Therefore the unit should be turning on and off with the ignition switch etc as well - so not a problem with the car.

As for the can bus multi-plexer thingy, I think what he's saying is that power is still available, as it should be, even when the unit is off. For example, with the unit off, when you engage reverse the unit senses a video feed and switches on and displays the video screen for the rear camera (it then switches off when you take it out of gear). BUT, this should not work unless the ignition is on. Is yours working with the key out of the ignition? If it does, then it means it is still getting power (and hence your flat battery).

But forgetting all that, I reckon that the most likely cause is a bent pin or bad connection at the adapter point. Either that, or the unit itself does have a fault. It's a 10min job to pull it out, so might be worth having a look yourself.

[CatonaPC©]

The problem is nothing to do with the car but the head unit itself hasn't been installed correctly or it's faulty. The VW headunits have constant power to them but enter a sleep mode when directed to by the car.

Mate, this car never ceases to amaze me!

[Fhrx]

Maverick,

You've insinuated numerous times within this thread (five by my reckoning) that the installation itself is the cause of the fault and that the car should be taken back to the place where the aftermarket unit was installed. As stated in the initial post of this thread; we are the people who installed it, the car is presently here and you can rest assured it has been checked and re-checked and there is nothing untoward regarding the install.

On another note; you'll appreciate from the images below that there are only two loom plugs that interface with the car itself - the main loom plug and the aerial plug. Both of these plugs possess specific shapes and lock clamps making installation of them upside down or backwards impossible. In other words; it's going to somewhat difficult for any installer to get this wiring wrong - period. You'll also notice all the pins are straight and are not bent in any way shape or form.

So I'll thank you in advance for not insinuating that our workmanship is the cause of the issues at hand here. To everybody else; we have another deck here now which we are going to try. Either Vincent or I will keep you informed of our findings.

[CatonaPC©]

FHRX,

Maverick has not "insinuated". He has suggested two possible and plausible explanations on why the unit is draining the battery.

I, and others on this forum, would be interested if you succeed in tracking down the problem. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that the problem IS the headunit.

[NZTiguan]

Presumably, as you pulled the whole thing apart, even "you" weren't sure if you had installed it correctly ? Also you're now replacing the whole unit without (it appears) being aware as yet what the exact fault "is" OR where the fault is to be located ? Frankly, until the issue is resolved I wouldn't be poking any borax at members here for expressing their views.

[Fhrx]

Presumably, as you pulled the whole thing apart, even "you" weren't sure if you had installed it correctly?

We pulled it apart because the manufacturer sent us another unit to try.

Just as aside; those who know about us will tell you we take plenty of high resolution photos of each and every install we undertake. We then present these images the owner on a CD for their own records. From memory in addition to viewing the photos taken we did know it was installed correctly (it's a little hard not install correctly) but we're certainly not above double checking our own work to make doublely sure while we have a chance.

[G-rig]

Sounds like a head unit problem to me. These cheap units may be feature packed but still don't work as well as OEM.

[Sanman]

Those who know anything about us know we take plenty of high resolution photos of each and every install we undertake. We then present these images the owner on a CD for their own records. From memory in addition to viewing the photos taken we did know it was installed correctly (it's a little hard not install correctly NZTiguan) but we're not above double checking our own work to make doublely sure.

And seeing as a replacement deck was sent to us to trial we knew it was coming out anyway.

This is a pretty good testimony to FHRX - they're following up the problem rather than running away and telling the owner to contact warranty or giving the Cheap Chinese story. Pity they're in Sydney, otherwise I'd be heading their way

[Fhrx]

I'll say what I want thanks, you can take it however you want and clearly you have taken what I have said as an attack. People can make up their own mind but I won't be wasting my time recommending you again or buying from you if this is the way you carry on.

Surely you're not surprised to read someone defending their own business? I have an obligation to put the record straight just in case someone reads your comments to have a different meaning to the one you claim was intended. You cannot blame me for doing that.

In any case; let us move along. I came onto this forum to help people out with their systems, not get into pointless squabbling. Without trying to sound immodest; we have the better part of one hundred years of experience at our disposal and Volkswagens are one of our most commonly installed cars. I'm more than happy to share our experiences with people (which is why I put up the tutorial thread) but by the same token; if you want me to leave I certainly can.

[Swallowtail]

Guys play nicely or take it elsewhere...

[vincent]

time to cool it..

Guys - Hi

Time to cool the discussion...as the car owner/OP the way I see it is :

• I don't know if the car originally had the same problem with the factory fit radio as the car was down at the audio shop within hours of me getting it
• the dealer was saying there was still a draw (although heavily reduced) with the factory radio back in
• the purpose of this thread was to seek comments from other posters based on their own experiences as this forum is usually very helpful
• clearly this car is from the latest batch of Tiguans off the boat so there might be something new there and it is a 125 Tsi - most other 9000-1 units seem to have gone into the 103 diesel which was released months earlier
• the camera seems an unlikely culprit as it draws only 6 milliamps when in use.

The dealer was friendly although not that experienced (I found another dealer over the phone who was much more knowledgeable - in contrast VWassist were no use at all.) If the dealer had been able to test putting a VW 510 satnav unit in (as I hoped they would but they have none to try) that would have been more useful as I know from thread responses here and the UK forum that VW has had canbus issues in Golf's when they tried to upgrade VW radios to better VW radios and such a test would then have probably eliminated the car as being the problem which is still possible.

Marty at FHRX has been very helpful and professional. The car is back with him not because I or he doubted the install (as he says those big connector plugs are rather specific ! and many users have done successful self installs) but because he is best placed to do some independent tests, then to install another 9000-1 head unit which Rob from Auspack has sent up and if the worst comes to the worst, forget the 9000-1 altogether if another brand does not cause the same problem. (Rob had asked for info from his manufacturer but a stony silence has ensued from them.)

To date I would say I am just feeling darn unlucky, glad I don't need the car at the moment, but appreciative of the fact that Marty & co at FHRX are providing high quality customer care in trying to narrow down the problem (which may after all end up being either a VW problem or a head unit problem).

Each test / change needs to be monitored overnight for battery draw so it is a slow iterative process - hopefully by the end of the week the murky picture will be clearer ! and I will gratefully let you know the outcome.

cheers Vincent

[CatonaPC©]

. . . .I came onto this forum to help people out with their systems, not get into pointless squabbling.

And this is what has been bothering me a bit.

According to the times stamps, your first post was in this thread. You next 3 were about installing the speakers.

I have to be honest. I got the impression that as the installer named in this thread, you signed up to defend your business. No issue with that and not saying your intentions were otherwise, but it was just an impression I got when I saw your post.

I think we all agree that you can make a valuable contribution to this forum, so, please stick around.

[G-rig]

I have to be honest. I got the impression that as the installer named in this thread, you signed up to defend your business. No issue with that and not saying your intentions were otherwise, but it was just an impression I got when I saw your post.

Nothing wrong with drumming up a little business, better if you're a site sponsor though.

The speaker install DIY is a nice contribution though. I'd make sure it was reversible and you could put the stock speakers back in.