Japanese conversion - where to start?

[mattsimis]

Thanks for that guys! It may not have been clear but I just got my new CAN compatible VagCom now and can indeed scan all the modules, Log attached (not sure on the best method so let me know if a neater way of scanning and attaching). Thats pre-clear of DTCs built up over the years, dont worry about them.


Also its worth noting that the Jap to NZ converter guys here confirmed the MMI does not need to be replaced.. but they want $399 for the correct firmware flash. Ive asked them if they would sell me the CDs direct.. they might!
Its unclear at the moment if my MMI can be recovered but I'm hopeful as the error message is exactly the same as other users with very old MMI versions attempting to upgrade direct to the latest.


On the "custom" LVDS connection I was hoping it also simply had the standard interface connected up which would mean if the software doesnt know of the Jap interface it simply reverts to the stock Audi config.. this maybe of course a pipe dream!


EDIT, for your interest, the prices and overview of the conversion done professionally:

Convert MMI to English version (ie what I was doing, though note that it already supports English and Japanese text anyway so no clear to be who would pay for this, guess you need it for AMI and bug fixes):
http://www.autogravity.co.nz/shop/Ve...igh-01438.html
$399

Convert Radio to NZ (/US/Europe, all the same):
http://www.autogravity.co.nz/shop/Ve...+retrofit.html
$699 - this is presumably (and basically confirmed) to be a new Radio module and any coding in MMI (which possibly doesnt require MMI firmware conversion as existing Hidden Menu allows non-Jap Radio change in software).

Convert Nav to NZ:
http://www.autogravity.co.nz/shop/Ve...igh-01438.html
$1699 - they confirm only Language and Firmware update required to the MMI, but assume some HW changes outside of core MMI at that price.

[mattylondon]

Wow $399, at that price it is cheaper to replace it. Quick search for a used MMI Interface, £100
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//251852602745

$699 for the radio. Ok, it is a new unit and they are that price. A used unit can be as low as £40
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191524664363

$1699 for Sat Nav. If you replaced the MMI Unit you could swap in a used Nav Unit for £135
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171674566149

All in all it's looking good that you can swap out all the Jap stuff. I enjoyed doing a bit a research and digging around. I now know my '8 that bit more now!

[mattsimis]

So managed to get the 1100 firmware from Adrian working (thx!) and recovered it somewhat. Now it boots in German and goes straight to SWUpdate. Unfortunately it cannot read the CD (drive) any longer, its not the CDR's, it doesnt even try to access the device. I suspect some recording in VCDS is needed to get it moving along the firmware update train again..?

[Delboy]

Yeah that's a bonus, have you tried the region ignore stuff again?

[mattsimis]

Originally Posted by Delboy

Yeah that's a bonus, have you tried the region ignore stuff again?

Ill enable it but this doesnt look or feel like a region problem, its not able to see the CD drive.

Hmm... from my own photos I can see the interface box coding (assuming thats whats in the brackets) is now wrong (surely should be like it was originally). Ill look up whats normal looking for an A8..
EDIT: Can anyone confirm what they have beside "Interfacebox", eg do you have 0x0100 like I used to?

[Delboy]

Here's mine

[Delboy]

Do another full autoscan and post the results so we can see what's changed.

[mattsimis]

New autoscan attached but its after dead battery so lots of spurious errors.

Dont think this is recoverable... Channel 08 in Adaptations is not available and I have no way of getting the cd to work.

[mattylondon]

Is the CD Player enabled within the CAN Gateway?

Select Module >
19-CAN Gateway>
Installation List>

Scroll down and make sure 1E is ticked.

I think it will be ticked from your latest scan, but worth a check.

[mattsimis]

Originally Posted by mattylondon

Is the CD Player enabled within the CAN Gateway?

Select Module >
19-CAN Gateway>
Installation List>

Scroll down and make sure 1E is ticked.

I think it will be ticked from your latest scan, but worth a check.

Yep it is.
I had a theory that perhaps the CD Changer needs to be media device 1 to work for the FW update, mine is 2 (MD Player is device 1). Frustratingly I cant get my Radio removal keys to work in it so taking it out to disconnect one unit is proving hard.


Also I found the LVDS box under the passenger footwell in a plastic box. It has 3 multipin cables connected to it. One is LCD control, one is HU and one is marked Nav. Removing either of the first 2 disabled the MMI screen (which is now popping up when the car is alarmed and shut annoyingly).

Dug all the way back through the glove box to the MMI control unit.. which seems likely Ill need to change, photos attached.