[AvanTTix]

well as part of taking my RNS-D unit out of the Avant and in its new home, i thought i would document every single step of the process... so here it is... in about 80 something pics...

this can be used to upgrade from Symphony II to an RNS-D, from a Symphony II to an RNS-E, and from a Symphony II to an RNS-D and then to an RNS-E... it may not be applicable to those upgrading from a manufactory installed RNS-D...

efore going any further, let me do the usual, and well deserved, kuddos...
a big thanks to Proxus for setting up this forum, from which i've gathered a sh!t lot of information...
another big thanks to AudiA4B6US who's been a great help answering a few of my questions and much more...
thanks to radef for an excellent write-up...
and i also want to mention both TeddyBGame and fritzner for just answering my emails/PMs and volunteering help...

so first the units:

as we all know, the actual shape of the Symphony II, RNS-D and RNS-E is the same, i.e. both the RNS-D and the RNS-E fit right in the opening of the Symphony II, w/o the need for any kind of modifications... that's indeed another story of you've got a Symphony I...

here's the RNS-D vs. the RNS-E:

a couple of obvious difference btw the 2 units:
- the RNS-E screen is about ~7in vs. the ~4in of the RNS-D
- the RNS-E can not be oriented like the RNS-D can
- the RNS-E flips down to allow loading of the DVD and SD cards
- the RNS-D only plays map CDs while the RNS-E plays music CDs, MP3 CDs and the map DVD
on top of all of that and i'm sure you'll all have realised that, the layout of the controls and numbers of buttons is just not the same...

my RNS-E sytem is a Euro unit: 8E0 035 192 C, for a complete list of all the differences btw a Euro unit and a NA unit, please check this thread...

i'm using a patch NA map DVD... or i should say i'll be using a patch NA map DVD as i'm still waiting to receive a working one...

if you're directly upgrading from a Symphony II to an RNS-E, go through the "Symphony II Connections", "Fuse Box Cover" and "Knee Bolster" sections and then scroll down to the "RNS-E Connector Adaptor" section...

further to the RNS-E unit the following parts are needed:

RNS-E adaptor:

this adaptor is designed to work for a non-Bose system, and should be ready for the CD changer, although i still need to work out all the connections from the CDC harness to the connector/RNS-E unit...

Diversity and Radio antennas adaptor:

Note: there's another style of adaptors out there, but i would recommend not getting this one... if you do, you'll have to find a way to secure the diversity antenna in its connector, and the Radio antenna adaptor will need to be jammed in to stay secured... i had that adaptor at first, and decided to get the dual one, which fits perfectly...

imo... avoid this one...

also needed is a GPS antenna:

a couple of places where you can source these from:
- Euro-Parts in the States - run by BayrischerS4
- Kufatec in Germany - beware of shipping costs...
- the classifieds

here's the back of the RNS-E unit and where each of these are going to connect to...

i also got myself some readings... had to get them in both languages too...

and all of these can be obtained from Audi of America and Audi Canada Technical Literature Ordering Center, and at US$5 per publication, these are quite cheap imo...

now on to the actual process of installing the RNS units...

i believe the pics are self explanatory, especially since i've annotated all of them... i also apologise in advance to all the purists out there if i have not used the proper terminology, i'm an ESL okay!!!...

one vital reference when installing the RNS-D unit, is the very useful original write-up done by CVT_A4 (& family) that can now be found here... please refer to it if installing an RNS-D!

- Symphony II Connections:

- Fuse Box Cover:

- Knee Bolster:

if you're directly upgrading from a Symphony II to an RNS-E, scroll down to the "RNS-E Connector Adaptor" section...

- Cluster Instrument:

- Cluster Instrument - Blue Connector:

- Cluster Instrument - Green Connector:

- GALA Speed Signal & Illumination Signal:
(please refer to the "Audi Navigation Plus Information Site" for further instructions)

- Illumination Signal:
(please refer to the "Audi Navigation Plus Information Site" for further instructions)

- Lower A Pilar:
(please refer to the "Audi Navigation Plus Information Site" for further instructions)

- GALA Speed Signal:
(please refer to the "Audi Navigation Plus Information Site" for further instructions)

- RNS-D Connector Adaptor:

- "Take a Deep Breath...It's Okay" Time:

- RNS-D Connections:

now the next step is to VAG the car so that it aknowledges the RNS-D unit...

alright, this concludes the part on installing an RNS-D unit... now let's see what needs to be done in order to upgrade to an RNS-E unit...

- CAN Wires:

continue from here if you're directly upgrading from a Symphony II to an RNS-E...

- RNS-E Connector Adaptor:

- Diversity Antenna:

- Diversity and Radio Antennas Adaptor:

- GPS Antenna:

- GPS Antenna:

- RNS-D Connections:

finally the next step is to once again VAG the car so that it aknowledges the RNS-E unit... accessing "Module 17 - Instrument Cluster" isn't necessary if you've already had an RNS-D installed and programmed before...

now time to put your car back together, so just follow the above instructions in the reverse order...

once i get a working map DVD i'll post a review of the RNS-E and do a quick comparison btw it and the RNS-D...

 

[AudiA4B6US]

Very nice! I'm so glad I didn't have to do the RNS-D install :wink:

 

[bjarne]

Very nice write-up !
I am curious how many satelites you receive. I always thought the GPS antenna worked best when mounted on a horizontal surface, and I notice yours is mounted on a vertical surface. And I honestly don't know, why I thought so.
Always room to learn something new

 

[craigyb]

Very nice, but there are several glaring errors on the connections.

1. The AMP connector as you put it is the VIDEO connection.

2. The black CD changer is not, the red connector holds the CD changer pins.

3. You have the FM Aerial and Diversity the wrong wat around on the back of the unit.

 

[craigyb]

Very nice, but there are several glaring errors on the connections.

1. The AMP connector as you put it is the VIDEO connection.

2. The black CD changer is not, the red connector holds the CD changer pins.

3. You have the FM Aerial and Diversity the wrong wat around on the back of the unit.

 

[rosnik]

8) Great Work Stèph !! 8)

thank you.

 

[BayrischerS4]

Wow, that's about all I can say - excellent job.

 

[AvanTTix]

1. The AMP connector as you put it is the VIDEO connection.

i just duplicated what the diagram on the back on the Nav unit said...

[siteimg:d1cb49edd8]73[/siteimg:d1cb49edd8]

2. The black CD changer is not, the red connector holds the CD changer pins.

*** pic updated/corrected***
so anyone knows what that additional black connector is for then?

3. You have the FM Aerial and Diversity the wrong wat around on the back of the unit.

*** pic updated/corrected***

thanks for the feedback though...

 

[AudiA4B6US]

This is the Symphony II:

The top 8pin connector III is power, the middle 8pin connector II is speaker and the bottom 20pin connector I is CDC/line out (usually red). The 4th connector is 10pin (usually black too) and has the wires for phone and navi mute.

 

[craigyb]

The extra connector on mine with 3 wires on is telephone +/- and mute.

the reason it says AMP for teh connector is that AMP make the type of connector used, 32 pin AMP connector, but its for video connections, the Amplifiers connect on quadlock.

Craig

 

[AvanTTix]

fair enough, i'll update that pic tonight too... and since i'm changing it, should i put "(B) CD Changer Connector" instead of "(B) Control Connector" but then what should i put for "(C) Control Connector"?

 

[AudiA4B6US]

fair enough, i'll update that pic tonight too... and since i'm changing it, should i put "(B) CD Changer Connector" instead of "(B) Control Connector" but then what should i put for "(C) Control Connector"?

I would keep (B) Ext. Control Connector and (C) Ext. Control Connector, that's how it's labeled on the RNS-E and there are other signals than the CDC signals in the (B) connector.

 

[sloper]

Gala Wire

I thought the Gala V Signal was pin 3 on the blue connector?

Tom
A6 2.5 tdi Q Avany UK model 2003 With RNS e

 

[AvanTTix]

Re: Gala Wire

I thought the Gala V Signal was pin 3 on the blue connector?

Tom
A6 2.5 tdi Q Avany UK model 2003 With RNS e

by blue connector i'm assuming you're refering to the one at the back of cluster... but regardless, the GALA speed on the A4s is located in 2 different locations depending on the VIN number... for the early A4s (<3-100 000) it's the Pin #21 of the green connector while for the later A4s it should be obtained from the ABS signal...

note: finding the speed signal is only necessary when installing an RNS-D unit...

 

[fritzner]

thanks for taking the time to do such a great write up!!!..

 

[bieshose]

Hi all,

I am getting this error (RNS-E on audi a4 no factory installed radio)

2 Faults Found:
00858 - Connection; Radio ZF Output to Antenna Amplifier
011 - Open Circuit
00857 - CD Changer Unit (R41)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

Your diversity antenna connection is not made correctly. Did you get the right antenna adapter? Did you remove the yellow clip off your small symphony antenna lead and insert the metal part into the other side of the double white FAKRA clip on your new antenna adapter?

But I have no factory radio, so I don't have the fakra input, how can I solve this?

 

[PetrolDave]

Hi all,

I am getting this error (RNS-E on audi a4 no factory installed radio)

2 Faults Found:
00858 - Connection; Radio ZF Output to Antenna Amplifier
011 - Open Circuit
00857 - CD Changer Unit (R41)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

Your diversity antenna connection is not made correctly. Did you get the right antenna adapter? Did you remove the yellow clip off your small symphony antenna lead and insert the metal part into the other side of the double white FAKRA clip on your new antenna adapter?

But I have no factory radio, so I don't have the fakra input, how can I solve this?

You need to add the antenna amplifier and antenna.

 

[jey]

any reason y the pics of this great guide hav vanished??? can they be added again please??

 

[tknudsen]

Picture is missing - can you reload?

Very helpful, but pictures ar mous welcome!

Thanks

 

[PetrolDave]

any reason y the pics of this great guide hav vanished??? can they be added again please??

All the pictures got lost when this site was re-hosted.