CAN-BUS Confusion...

[Andrew]

In normal times I would suggest you pop across and I can show you what the wiring for a Concert II looks like. I also have (I think) several spare Concert II head units, possibly with spare connectors you could try. However I have had Covid for the last week, still testing positive today, and feel dreadful, PM in a week if you think this might be of some use.

Best plan is stick with the Concert II and sort out the necessary wiring.

Andy

 

[Jason_e]

In normal times I would suggest you pop across and I can show you what the wiring for a Concert II looks like. I also have (I think) several spare Concert II head units, possibly with spare connectors you could try. However I have had Covid for the last week, still testing positive today, and feel dreadful, PM in a week if you think this might be of some use.

Best plan is stick with the Concert II and sort out the necessary wiring.

Andy

I appreciate the offer, I may take you up on that... Covid dependant!

As its stands I'll run with the Concert II and do some digging on the other Concert 1's !

 

[Jason_e]

This is the wiring my A2 has anyway.

 

[audifan]

The A4 radios could well be coded differently to work with more functions in the car.

Did you look at spike's post above about the wiring? Nobody has yet confirmed or denied that it works. Failing that I am sure there is a can bus emulator cable adapter that can be used leaving the original wiring intact.

 

[audifan]

I see the pictures of your wiring. Are they part of the wiring loom or are there any adapter blocks in the lines? You do appear to have all the plugs needed for the Concert 2 radio, just either no modified wiring, adapter blocks or other damage that is not visible. But from your initial description it is a can issue for power and lighting.

 

[Jason_e]

I see the pictures of your wiring. Are they part of the wiring loom or are there any adapter blocks in the lines? You do appear to have all the plugs needed for the Concert 2 radio, just either no modified wiring, adapter blocks or other damage that is not visible. But from your initial description it is a can issue for power and lighting.

This is what has thrown me. The car year, and the wiring, would both suggest its a CAN system.

I've reached as far back down into the dashboard as I can, and I cant find any extra wiring, adapters etc.

And, it would appear that earlier in this thread, the spec list I shared was a code for a Concert 1?

 

[timmus]

Now my car does not have dis. I just have an outside temp showing. I'm wondering if someone has downgraded from a DIS at some point, causing some Canbus errors in the loop?

That is exactly what has happened. I can tell from the wiring arrangements in some of your photos that the car had DIS. Someone has robbed the DIS instrument cluster out of your car at some point in the past, but clearly didn’t (know how to) convert the wiring to work properly with the basic (non-DIS) instruments.

Your car has CAN. It is designed for the Concert II stereo, not the Generation 1 stereos …but it’s not working properly possibly because someone acted a little unscrupulously.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Jason_e]

That is exactly what has happened. I can tell from the wiring arrangements in some of your photos that the car had DIS. Someone has robbed the DIS instrument cluster out of your car at some point in the past, but clearly didn’t (know how to) convert the wiring to work properly with the basic (non-DIS) instruments.

Your car has CAN. It is designed for the Concert II stereo, not the Generation 1 stereos …but it’s not working properly because someone acted a little unscrupulously.

Cheers,

Tom

Well I way overpaid for this junk.


Never mind! Onwards I go. I’ll add it to the list with a new gearbox

 

[audifan]

Do you still have the DIS stalk with the reset button to the right of the steering wheel ( also operates the wipers )?

That revelation does change things. Not sure but PERHAPS if a DIS cluster is reinstalled all things may work as should.....


Strongly suggest that you continue this as a PM with @timmus to see exactly what your options are now.

 

[Jason_e]

Do you still have the DIS stalk with the reset button to the right of the steering wheel ( also operates the wipers )?

That revelation does change things. Not sure but PERHAPS if a DIS cluster is reinstalled all things may work as should.....


Strongly suggest that you continue this as a PM with @timmus to see exactly what your options are now.

Still has the button indeed! I did wonder why that was there….

Already was in discussions to add DIS anyway….

 

[timmus]

Strongly suggest that you continue this as a PM with @timmus to see exactly what your options are now.

Already was in discussions to add DIS anyway….

Indeed. It now seems that the DIS retrofit that we’ve been discussing will also cure the stereo issues.

It’s possible that the original DIS cluster developed a fault and needed to be replaced, but that whoever did it could only get their hands on a basic cluster …or could only afford a basic cluster. We don’t know the full story, so unscrupulous behaviour may not have been the cause of this. What is clear, though, is that the job was only half done.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[herx]

So Im a bit perplexed as to my issue. The only other thing I can think of is that my spec list also says:

87 9Q2 VWGROUP MFA Driver Information System (DIS)

Now my car does not have dis. I just have an outside temp showing. I'm wondering if someone has downgraded from a DIS at some point, causing some Canbus errors in the loop?

Your very first post confirms that your car left the factory with DIS so you had answered your question

 

[Andrew]

I wonder if a need to provide a DIS cluster to upgrade to a Colour DIS in another car has anything to do with this?. We will never know.

Andy

 

[Jason_e]

I wonder if a need to provide a DIS cluster to upgrade to a Colour DIS in another car has anything to do with this?. We will never know.

Andy

The guy I bought it off buys and sells A2s, and by his own admission, often swaps bits about.

I don’t want to point the finger of blame but the car also has a duff gearbox, no car matts and no parcel shelf ?

 

[audifan]

Well in that case as a gesture of good will it would be nice if he could reinstate your car to the factory spec.

Especially after your own quote "Well I way overpaid for this junk."