Mystery Connector - Can anyone tell what it is?

Spanker · #1 25th December 2016, 10:50 AM

Hi!

Whilst removing the RNS-D this morning (to get the serial number, to pay for the stereo code), I noticed the following connector sitting forlornly at the back of the nav:

In a previous thread, I mentioned that my centre console night-time illumination didn't work so I was wondering if this little thing had anything to do with it? (not checked David's8's suggestion yet).

Do any of the experienced dash-strippers on here know what, specifically, this connector is linked to and just as importantly, where it plugs in?
I've had a quick look and cannot see a hole for it.

Thanks in advance
Dean

mattylondon · #2 25th December 2016, 11:57 AM

Looks like an after market wire and connector to me. Try and trace where it goes.

MikkiJayne · #3 25th December 2016, 01:08 PM

Looks like its the connection piece of the 26-way multi plug on the left of this pic, but with its outer shell removed. Did you have anything in that spot?

If that is it, it should have a shell like this on it:

Spanker · #4 25th December 2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Looks like its the connection piece of the 26-way multi plug on the left of this pic, but with its outer shell removed. Did you have anything in that spot?

If that is it, it should have a shell like this on it:

Yes, The black connector with the turquoise lever lock is present. As is everything else in that diagram with the exception of the:
"Brown Ground Connector(not used in Sym II)"
&
"8 Pin connector II"

I hope that having nothing in the Brown Ground Connector and 8 Pin connector is normal. Although I notice that for the AM/FM antenna inputs, I have leads into both - suggesting Sym 1, but the Brown Ground Connector is missing, suggesting Sym II. And David's8 suggested in another thread about missing console illumination may be a symptom of poor ground.
So I am little confused, not being an auto-electrician.

But that connector lead (as in my photo) does seem to go behind the glove box. To where I am not sure. When I am next in the car I will see if I can trace it back without the need to dismantle much. There is a vestigial hands-free mic near the front courtesy lights (left by a previous owner) so that may be the culprit. But there's a lot of coloured wires in it for just a mic.
I shall investigate further.

MikkiJayne · #5 25th December 2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanker

Yes, The black connector with the turquoise lever lock is present. As is everything else in that diagram with the exception of the:
"Brown Ground Connector(not used in Sym II)"
&
"8 Pin connector II"

I hope that having nothing in the Brown Ground Connector and 8 Pin connector is normal. Although I notice that for the AM/FM antenna inputs, I have leads into both - suggesting Sym 1, but the Brown Ground Connector is missing, suggesting Sym II. And David's8 suggested in another thread about missing console illumination may be a symptom of poor ground.
So I am little confused, not being an auto-electrician.

'Sym' is Symphony (non-nav head units) so doesn't apply here. No ground connector is fine iirc, and Bose systems don't have the 8-pin connector.

I wonder if the 26-pin cable has been replaced at some point in the car's life and the one you have loose is the old faulty one which was just left in place?

mannyo · #6 26th December 2016, 06:06 AM

To me it looks aftermarket, could be why the Nav needed the code as something else was fitted by a previous owner. The OEM cabling is usually wrapped in fabric tape, this could be going off to an iPod interface or another interface box.

When I bought the C5 A6 that I had before the Volvo I spent a few hours pulling out miles of aftermarket cabling from a cheap DVD headunit with bluetooth and Nav and refitting the OEM radio and also discovering I had no code.

IT · #7 26th December 2016, 10:05 AM

Its too shallow to be part of the big multi block. The strips inside that are always blue in my experience.

If I was a betting man, I'd say its more likely from a parrot or some similar aftermarket rubbish that has been removed in a hurry at some point and the wires just tucked behind.

I imagine lifting the passenger side floor mats, wooden cover and left hand transmission tunnel cover may reveal some more aftermarketisms as there is little room around the glovebox itself for modules, but its a common wiring route for hacks.....

Spanker · #8 29th December 2016, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IT

Its too shallow to be part of the big multi block. The strips inside that are always blue in my experience.

If I was a betting man, I'd say its more likely from a parrot or some similar aftermarket rubbish that has been removed in a hurry at some point and the wires just tucked behind.

I imagine lifting the passenger side floor mats, wooden cover and left hand transmission tunnel cover may reveal some more aftermarketisms as there is little room around the glovebox itself for modules, but its a common wiring route for hacks.....

I thought I would have a look yesterday evening and attempt to remove the wire as per Ian's suggestion (if it wasn't connected to something important).
I tugged from behind the glove box to get the wire dangling from underneath the glove box. I then removed the floor mat and then the carpet.
Oh dear!

Dampness

Not soaking, but a thin layer of moisture on the black plastic under the mat and the wooden board looked as though it was damp in a "wet cardboard" kind of way.
It was dark and cold so I just left it and came inside and today it's not much warmer so I shall look at it another day.
I found a thread on this forum that linked to this page so I guess I will be blowing air through tubes in the near future if nothing else gives rise to the cause.

Funny (not!) how one thing leads to another isn't it?
I've got a problem with:
a) Some of my glowing cabin lights (nav controls, vents, little red ambience lights under mirror, dash swtiches etc.) not working
b) My rear ceiling central interior light (not rear reading lights) not working when the doors are opened or the switch is "on" but working when the front interior light switch is switched "on".
c) ALL parking sensors clicking audibly (when my ear is very close to them) but the error beep and flashing parking sensor switch going off when reverse is selected.
d) The rear window demister taking AGES (10-15 minutes) to clear the screen, perhaps due to too much moisture inside the car.

I wonder how many of the above are related to dampness in the electrics/relays or whether it's just faulty components and replacement parts will need to be sourced from our sponsors? A good dry-out will be first. If anyone recognises the above as common faults with easy solutions then your input would be appreciated.

Dean

MikkiJayne · #9 29th December 2016, 12:55 PM

Dampness on the wooden board usually means one of Audi's little Easter eggs called 'Botang's hole' is leaking. The grey bit in the top right here:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7645&page=2

The HVAC drains can do it too but you often hear a sloshing sound as the water in the heater box moves around. If you run the AC for a while while stationary do you get a puddle under the car? I'll have the console side panels off mine this afternoon so I'll post a pic of where the drain valves are. Its worth taking them off and cleaning them out anyway although if it is full of water then have a bowl or bucket handy for when you take them out.

Cabin lights is a tricky one since they all run from the same circuit. You'll probably need to spend some time with the wiring diagrams and a multimeter to figure that one out.

Do you get the indication in the dash when the rear doors are open? If not then the switches are likely the problem with the interior light. I think they are in the door lock mechs in the D2 iirc.

VCDS should tell you whats up with the parking sensors. Likely there is a bad connection on one or more sensors front and rear, or they could have moisture in them.

You're probably right on the rear window. Sort the HVAC drains and Botang's hole and get a dehumidifier in it for a few days and hopefully that will improve.

Spanker · #10 29th December 2016, 03:16 PM

Thank you.
I saw your hole and went straight out to my car to have a play. Then I realised that mine didn't quite look as bare as yours. And I've now left it too late in the cold day to start anything.
I removed the trim that covers the pipes and shone my phone light down there but couldn't see anything apart from one of the grommets. So after reading the other thread(s) someone said that removing the wipers and trim would let in more light and free up some access. So weather permitting, I shall do that tomorrow along with the orange pipes inside near to the front tunnel.
I also read that others had used Mr Muscle plug unblocker to free up some drainage holes and thought that may be a good preventative thing to do. But I couldn't see what drainage holes were being discussed so may need to dig a bit deeper on that one.
I didn't check for water under the car after running the engine for a while, as it was already damp under there. Again, another check for tomorrow just to see.

The rear doors do register on the DIS when the doors are open. I thought that they would show up straight away when the doors are opened and got a bit downhearted when they didn't. It just showed the typical DIS message about pressing the brake when stationary and selecting gear (or whatever it says). It was only when I selected a gear that the DIS changed to show open doors. Did I tell you I was new to this model?

So the door switches work. But for the first time when the car was started there was nothing on the DIS until I touched it with my finger then it lit dimly before going to full brightness.
With this in mind, I think that there is definitely an earthing problem or something similar with the car. A scan on VCDS and maybe a trip to an auto-electrician should help me with the internal electrics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Dampness on the wooden board usually means one of Audi's little Easter eggs called 'Botang's hole' is leaking. The grey bit in the top right here:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7645&page=2

The HVAC drains can do it too but you often hear a sloshing sound as the water in the heater box moves around. If you run the AC for a while while stationary do you get a puddle under the car? I'll have the console side panels off mine this afternoon so I'll post a pic of where the drain valves are. Its worth taking them off and cleaning them out anyway although if it is full of water then have a bowl or bucket handy for when you take them out.

Cabin lights is a tricky one since they all run from the same circuit. You'll probably need to spend some time with the wiring diagrams and a multimeter to figure that one out.

Do you get the indication in the dash when the rear doors are open? If not then the switches are likely the problem with the interior light. I think they are in the door lock mechs in the D2 iirc.

VCDS should tell you whats up with the parking sensors. Likely there is a bad connection on one or more sensors front and rear, or they could have moisture in them.

You're probably right on the rear window. Sort the HVAC drains and Botang's hole and get a dehumidifier in it for a few days and hopefully that will improve.