[djazz]

Hey all,

I'm terribly sorry to post a new thread on such a simplistic topic, but I'm stuck at square one. I'm in the process, or at least trying to get in the process, of installing a RNS-E (Euro) into a 2004 A4 Cab w/Bose. I've printed the very helpful guides posted by Justin, though my radio removal keys don't seem to be working. No matter how hard I push them, they're not catching. They will all go all the way back against the unit, though when I try to remove the unit, two of the keys just keep coming back out. Is it possible that I have bad keys? Any suggestions...?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Have a great weekend!

-DJ

 

[AudiA4B6US]

Try to get a second person to help you. You have to push all 4 keys to the outside without bending them down or up. Try pulling the left 2 keys a little, then the right 2 keys until it moves out.

I couldn't get my radio out regardless how hard pulled (got the keys pulled out of the HU several times this way). Then I got someone to help me and it was much easier. After you removed your HU a couple of times you can do it alone because it doesn't sit that tight anymore.

 

[djazz]

Hey! Thanks so much for the quick reply! Unfortunately, even after enlisting the help of my father, no matter what we try, no dice. Two of the keys are not engaging whatever catch they're supposed to...uh, well catch I guess. At this point, I'm afraid of damaging the unit by potentially pulling too hard and either breaking the key or stripping the latch.

Unfortunately it's too late to do so tonight, but tomorrow I'll try to see if my car audio guy will take on the job. He's done great custom work in the Porsche, so hopefully he won't have too much trouble figuring the RNS-E out. Ah well...nothing ever works out quite to plan, does it?

Thanks for your help, though...I really do appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

-Deej

 

[craigyb]

Have you got the keys in the right way around. The yonly work one way, that is with the angled bit pinting in towards the HU, flat to the outside.

Craig

 

[craigyb]

Have you got the keys in the right way around. The yonly work one way, that is with the angled bit pinting in towards the HU, flat to the outside.

Craig

 

[b5retrofit]

I had problems removing my OEM headunit, too. I ended up swinging by my local dealership and asked one of the mechanics there if he knew of a trick... he brought his tool box outside, and had a special tool (looked like a flat metal plate with 4 of the keys welded on in just the right position) that took it out in about .03 seconds with no hassle. He said I should just swing by whenever I need it removed. You might want to try going to your local dealer, and see if they can do the same thing for you.

 

[djazz]

"Bad springs"

Hey!

As for the key alignments, that crossed my mind. The two that have locked, I'm 99.9% sure that I put those in correctly. The two that are readily removable I've checked on and are going in properly.

My local dealership isn't exactly the most pleasant group of individuals to deal with. I did speak with them just a few moments ago, and according to a service technician, I'm likely the victim of bad spring(s) that require the removal of the dash panels in order to remove the HU. Then again, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he was just blowing me off. Grrrreat....

Is this a problem that others have encountered before? Is there any trick that might allow me to force the HU out without pulling the panels? I'm increasingly tempted to just drop everything off with my audio guy and have him go to town...my only concern is now I'm driving around with two radio removal keys locked into my radio until this can be resolved in some manner.

Thanks for everyone's time...take care!

-Deej

 

[AvanTTix]

we had an awful time trying to remove my Symphony II unit too... we spent about an hour before we decided to give up and drive the car down to the local audio shop to get them to do it... they still spent about 5-10mins before they were able to pull it out...

i'd definitively suggest asking your audio guy to pull the unit for you...

 

[BayrischerS4]

What happens a lot is this: There is a little bit of play between the retaining tabs and the top or bottom (outside of the unit) so they keys actually slip off the top or bottom. The only solution that I have found to this; is that two people need to work in unison to remove the unit.
What might have to be done is that as the keys are inserted and if you don't feel them clicking into place is, for the upper - give a slight lift on the finger held portion until you feel it click but keeping lifting slightly (not too much or you'll bend the keys). For the lower portion do the same thing except push downwards slightly and keep this light pressure until the keys click. While keeping pressure applied start pulling the unit out.
I have seen a number of different keys that have just enough flex in them to cause this problem.

Hope it helps and works.

 

[djazz]

Sooo...interesting turn of events. I went up to my local audio shop only to learn that my normal tech has moved on to bigger and better things (i.e. CA). Him aside, I've never had great faith in this place. Their "Audi specialist" said that he would be able to pop it out with about an hour of work. This is where I become very, very nervous about my recent RNS-E purchase...

...he then told me to send back the RNS-E, swearing on a stack of Bibles that my Euro unit will never work in my U.S. car. Apparently he had recently attempted to retrofit an RS6 (year unknown to me) with a Euro-version A6 RNS-E to no avail, and the RS6 owner too had been confident of the compatibilty. According to this tech, "the GPS systems work completely differently over there and will never mesh with a U.S. model's software. Plus, that your car is Bose equipped only guarantees that it'll never work. Send it back. Just send the damn thing back."

Now, I'm incredibly nervous and thinking that I've just blown a $1500 investment. Someone please assure me that I didn't royally screw up...well, assuming I haven't, that is.

Here's the recap:

2004 A4 (B6) Cabriolet w/ Bose Symphony II & 6-disc in dash changer.
RNS-E Part #8E0 035 192 C
I have the FAKRA adapter w/ diversity and the RNS-E adapter w/Bose, w/o Telephone & w/o Changer (I don't plan to reinstall the factory unit at a later time)

The very kind gentleman who sold me the unit also included a pre-modified DVD map for the U.S. & Canada and a GPS antenna.

My question to you fine folks is: will this work? I apologize for such a moronic question - tech is by no means my strong suit.

I can't thank everyone enough for their patience and time...I'm going to feel much better knowing from the experts either that this thing will eventually work, or selling it confidently knowing that I can't make it work with my platform but someone else may.

Hope everyone has a great and safe weekend! Thanks again!

-Deej

 

[AudiA4B6US]

Believe me, the Euro RNS-E will work. I drove around in my A4 B6 with a 8E0 035 192C for the last 5 months and I was very happy. There are some issues and it's not the average audi(o) guy's daily task to get it to work (including getting the US DVD patched) but it will work.

I would go back to square one and try to get the radio out. If you can't do it with the help of someone to have 4 hands, try to find an Audi dealer who is willing to just remove your radio enough to be free. From there you can work your way yourselves with the adapters and pacthed DVD.

 

[djazz]

Thank you so much! I figured it should work, I just needed to hear it from someone with experience under their belt. I was planning to run up to Audi on Monday and do exactly as you suggested, so now I will definitely be doing that and proceeding with the install Monday evening hopefully.

Anxiety gone...excitement back.

Thanks so much again. If you're ever around Pittsburgh or Carlisle, PA drop me a line and I'll buy ya a beer!

-Deej

 

[fritzner]

i am from the pittsburgh area (now i live in so cali)

yes the EU unit will definitely work in the US with a modified DVD.. there are a few issues detailed several place on this forum including in the helpful links.. i have had an EU unit in my '02 A4 for 3-4 months now..

after you put the 4 keys in the symphony II, you can put your fingers under the faceplate (under the chrome trim) and your thumbs in cassette deck and wiggle the unit loose.. WARNING :: you could damage your faceplate if you really go crazy, but this is how i got mine out too..

while we are on the topic, when you do get it out and go to install the RNS-E, you might want to only slide it in 98% of the way until you verify everything works correctly.. infact, mine is still not clicked in after ~4months and i have no issues..

good luck..