chenishead

First off, most of the information in this write is coming from other sources (PaulW, Craigyb, NSXJR, and Teddybgame), I am simply compiling this information into a guide for the D2. I am writing this guide from the stand point of someone who knows nothing about the RNS-E.

The RNS-E can be easily installed in face-lift models (00-03). It is important to note that the RNS-E has a different color faceplate than the rest of the plastic face plates in the car. The rns-e is a soft black and the plastic face plates in the D2 are jet black. The difference is only noticeable in bright light conditions and does not take away from the OEM look of a RNS-E fitted to a D2.

This post shows the different features of the <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/146645.phtml">unit</a>.

For those who do not know what the RNS-E is, this is a short summary. The RNS-E is an Audi head unit that can be retrofitted into many older cars. Unlike an aftermarket solution, the RNS-E is a simple install and reuses all of the vehicles existing wiring and speakers. The RNS-E has a lot of functionality. It provides navigation, radio, satellite radio, backup camera, tv tuner/auxiliary input interface, and bluetooth. Keep in mind that the optional components (satellite radio, backup camera, tv tuner/auxiliary input interface, ipod adapter, and bluetooth) require other units, which costs more money.

Pricing for the RNS-E varies depending on the amount of risk that the buyer is willing to take. A unit w/ the various adapters can be had off ebay for around a grand. These sellers can be unreliable and customs is a hassle to deal with. I purchased a unit from besgu32 off ebay, and he is trustworthy. My unit broke and he repaired it even though it broke about a month after I purchased it. Units off ebay are usually euro units flashed with US software. The units have full functionality in the US and the main difference is that it will have a radio and cd/tv button versus the US setup with FM/AM CD/SD button.

There are a couple US sellers which sell US and/or euro units for around $1300-$1400. These sellers usually offer a six month warranty and if you are local, they also offer installation services. These sellers are usually easier to reach and easier to deal with for repairs.

One source is: <a href="http://navparts.com/">Navparts</a>

A source for adapters and other RNS-E parts is <a href="https://www.euro-parts.us/home.php">euro-parts</a>

Also, there are a few sellers who work through the navplus forum at <a href="http://audiforum.us/">Formerly Navplus, now AudiForum</a>

Picture showing the differences between euro and US units.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/usvseuro.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(Picture from &lt;http://nsxjr.com/ted/TED_RNS_E.pdf&gt; page 2)


A brief overview of the specific steps required to fit a RNS-E to a D2.
The faceplate has to be trimmed to fit into the D2 opening regardless of model year. Then the wiring adapter has to be verified. The GPS antennae has to be placed, behind the cluster is a good spot. For 00-01, the CAN bus network has to be tapped into from behind the instrument cluster. Keep in mind that when upgrading from a Symphony I HU, the Multi Function Steering Wheel will no longer work. In order to work the control module will need to be changed. For a 02-03, no extra connections are necessary.


First off, you have to make sure that you have all the necessary items to complete the installation.

Very few tools are required. Allen keys, electrical wire snipers, needle nose pliers, zip ties, and regular pliers or electrical pliers. You will need wire taps, wire, and audi pins depending on your head unit. Also, a precision screwdriver/jewelers screwdriver set is useful when having to move around pins in the wiring harnesses.

The electronics: RNS-E, four radio keys, plug and play adapter, map disk, gps antennae, and radio antennae adapter.

Pic of plug and play adapter, radio keys etc...
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC0203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

***Important***
When ordering be sure to get the correct adapters. There are two different radio adapters. For people with the Symphony I HU (00-01) a radio adapter with diversity connection is needed. For people with Symphony II radios (02-03), a regular 50 ohm to fakra adapter is needed.

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/radioadapters.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(From &lt;http://nsxjr.com/ted/TED_RNS_E.pdf&gt; page 3)

***Also be sure to order the correct plug and play adapter. Always specify if you have bose, and tell the seller that you want telephone and cd changer, if you add to your set up later, then you will already have an adapter with the necessary wires. The symphony II plug and play adapter works with the symphony I HU but requires moving pins. When moving pins it is necessary to have the set of small screw drivers.***

The easiest place to start is by verifying the wires in the harness using the following charts.

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/sympitornschart.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Symphony II to RNS-E
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/symiitornschart.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/chartprt1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(From &lt;http://nsxjr.com/docs/RNS.pdf&gt; pages 12+13)

If pins are not in the correct place, use a very small flat head screw driver and insert into the small openings on the side of pins. This unlocks the pin and then it will slide out of the harness. When removing pins from the quadlock adapter be sure to remove the pink/purple locking bars and reinsert the bar once the wiring is satisfactory. There is a locking bar for each part (A,B, etc).

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01505-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Pink locking bar
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/lockingbar.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">



After the wiring has been checked it is time to modify the RNS-E. Both A4 and A6 units will work but for the guide I am working with an A4 unit.

Start by removing the guide rails on the sides of the RNS-E. Removal is simple, use a pair of pliers and twist off. Then unscrew the screws holding the top of the RNS-E on and remove pieces inside the unit.

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/guidebar.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">


Next, if you have an A4 the bottom rail needs to be removed. PaulW's <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/162767.phtml">post</a>.
1. Tape the front of the unit to prevent damage.
2. Unscrew strip at bottom
3. Use hack saw to cut off remaining plastic rail/ "gutter"
4. File down the little remaining plastic pieces

The Plastic Pieces
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/sm_IMG_1677-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

If you do not have a torx screw driver small enough either drill the head off or make it a flat head screw. I used my dremel tool with a small cut off wheel to turn the torx screws into flat head screws.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/Capture.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Finished bottom
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01720-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Now the work can begin in the car. First off, tape up the working area to prevent damage. This step is necessary as the interior scratches and damages easily. The battery should be disconnected as well to prevent it from dying and when removing the HU the Bose amp de-energizes.

Tape up the following:
-Climate control and surroundings
-Gear stick (the radio scratches the leather)
-Tape the steering column
-The area in front of the instrument cluster
-The top of the area the the cluster is in. Tape about 3"-4" from the top of the cluster hat.
-Tape the corner where the cluster area comes out to the climate control.

Climate Control Area
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01725-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Cluster
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01726-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

In the right side of the pic you can see the corner that needs to be taped.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01739-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Once everything is taped up, insert the radio keys into the HU and slide it forward and disconnect the various connectors.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/DSC01710-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(Yeah I know, mine isnt taped up in the pic)

To remove the radio keys press the metal piece that the keys get inserted into and pull on the key.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/pushhere.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">



I started by fitting the RNS-E for the opening. The HU should still be taped up from the previous step. Using some sand paper carefully round out the corners to match the opening. I have a 07 unit and it needed the top to be sanded down to fit because it was a bit tall.

Finished Product!
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/fittedradio.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">




Now to the instrument cluster. With a 00-01 the cluster needs to be removed in order to tap into the CAN bus network. For an 02-03 the GPS antennae can be mounted behind the cluster if desired.

***02-03 Instrument cluster removal is not necessary if you can find an alternate spot with good reception to mount the gps antennae. I get anywhere from 5-8 satellites with mine mounted in the cluster area.***

Audipages <a href="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/navpluscan.html">link</a>.

First, remove the instrument cluster. Adjust the steering wheel as far out and and far down as it will go. Push in both covers in picture below and remove from instrument cluster.

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/nav58.GIF">

Remove the two 4 mm hex screws. Remove the instrument cluster towards front. Cut the cable ties on the back side of the instrument cluster. Release the retaining tabs on harness connectors (3) and disconnect connector. The release must clear the tab, then rotate it and the connector will pull out of the instrument cluster.
(For this part you are basically working in the blind behind the cluster. Study the pic of the connector closely. To remove the connectors the pink bar need to be pulled up slightly to get it off the plastic tab holding it in place. Once the bar is unlocked, push the bar and you will feel the connector come out of the socket.)

Locked position
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/locked.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Unlocked Position
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/unlocked.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Instrument Cluster Removed
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/nav59.JPG">

With the cluster out the CAN bus wires can be tapped and the GPS antennae can be installed.

The pins needed are 21 and 22 out of the green connector. To disassemble the connector remove the pink locking bar and cut zip tie holding the harness in place. Once the connector housing is off, cut back about six inches of the tape and find the wires for pins 21 and 22. Move out to the side. Wire tap the wires from pins 21 and 22 and be sure to remember/label which wire is CAN H and CAN L. (I assume the installer knows that they need to run the wires to the HU opening)

Pins and Wires Needed
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/nav63.JPG">

Get the CAN wires aside
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/nav64.JPG">

Install Taps (Pic is to demonstrate bulk of taps)
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/tap.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">


***An alternate method is soldering the wires instead of using taps. The taps are bulky and made reinstalling the cluster quite difficult.***

PaulW's soldering Instructions

If you want to do it the way I did it, use two new wires in the terminals. You'll need one Audi part number 000 979 003A, which is actually two connectors. To remove the existing wire, look at the new connector to see how it works. Using a small diameter tool, such as a dentist pick, place it in the connector right near where the instrument cluster pin goes in it, at the angle clip on the connector. Push the angle portion of the connector so it will release and tug on the wire. It should come out easily. If you have trouble, just study the new wire/connector and you'll figure it out.

Insert the two new wires. Attach them as follows:

Connect: New pin 21 wire, orange/brown wire and CAN low wire

Connect: New pin 22 wire, orange/violet wire and CAN high wire

I soldered the connections up. Reassemble connector and install a new tie wrap. After this was completed, heat shrink the connection with some heat shrink tubing, tape it up and tape the harness back up leaving the two wires that go to the RNS-E out of the loom.

PaulW installed two new wires to pick up the signal behind the cluster and distributed the signal by soldering the existing wires and the extra CAN H and CAN L wires to the new wires in the connector.
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/nav65.JPG">

Once the new CAN H and CAN L wires are in, tape the wire harness back up and put the connector housing back on and reinstall the locking bar.



Now to install the GPS antennae. I used velcro and stuck it in between the gap of the cluster's hat. Once the antennae and CAN wires are in, run the wires to the back of the HU opening. I placed the wires into the audi clips to keep the install clean.

GPS Antennae installed (ignore the extra gray wire)
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/gpsantennae.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Good place to secure wire
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/placetotiewire.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Once all the wiring behind the cluster is done, reinstall the cluster. The connectors have to be in the fully unlocked position when they are inserted into the back of the cluster. hen move the bar and the connector will pull itself into position as the locking bar is slid to the locked position. The tape can be removed from the cluster area now.


Back to the HU opening.

Install for 00-01
The CAN H and CAN L wires need to be installed now. To keep the installation factory looking and easy to swap between HU's new pins need to be installed. Audi pins 00 979 131 are needed. Connect the CAN H and CAN L to the Audi pins via a wire tap or solder and then insert CAN H into opening #7 and CAN L into #12. This completes the wiring for the RNS-E.

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/canhl.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(Pic from &lt;http://nsxjr.com/ted/TED_RNS_E.pdf&gt; page 15)

02-03 Install
No wiring changes need to be made.


Almost done!

Now connect the plug and play adapter to the appropriate vehicle ends.

Connect the radio antennae ends to the RNS-E radio adapter. If you have an 01, use the adapter with diversity connection and regular connection. If you have a 02-03 only connect the main connector and tie the other connection out of the way.

Now connect the GPS antennae, radio adapter and quad lock adapter the the RNS-E. The quad lock adapter has a locking bar style system as well so make sure the bar is pulled out before trying to insert it into the RNS-E. With all the connectors hooked up, slide the RNS-E into the opening. And now the driver's side close out panel has to be removed.
Audipages <a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/heatac/exaporatordrains.html">link</a>.

Remove the screws holding the side panel in place.
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/heatac/evapdrain4.gif">

Remove the two small circle covers on the gas pedal kick down switch. Unscrew the two bolts holding it in place and then place the kick down switch on the side.

Pull the panel out. Remove the driver's side trim by sliding forward and unhooking in back.

Then once the panel is off position the harness connectors so that they are out of the way of the RNS-E. Once the adapters are out of the way, slide the RNS-E all the way into the opening.

Wires out of the way of the RNS-E
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/wires.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

I put the wires into the opening where the panel does not get in the way.
<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/wiresout.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

Put the panel back in place. And put the kick down switch and surround back in place. Power on the RNS-E and enter the code.

DONE!

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/in.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

...With the install anyways.

Now the RNS-E has to be recoded and the instrument cluster has to be adapted.

Using VAG-COM go into the instrument cluster module and click on adaptation. Go to channel 62 and enter 3 as the new value.

Go to either control module 37 Navigation or 56 Radio and click on recode.

The first three digits will be 0309_ _ _ and the remaining three digits depend on the car.
Use the following to code the remaining three digits.

<img src="http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x125/chenishead/coding.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
(from &lt;http://nsxjr.com/docs/RNS.pdf&gt; page 16)

Now for 00-01 go to adaptation and go to channel 002 and enter a value of 08. This is for the speed signal.

For 02-03 enter a value of 45. 45 tells the gps that the v-signal is over CAN H and CAN L.

Now the install is complete!

DutchDoofus

You forget to mention that the DIS arrows etc. won't work.

DutchDoofus

What about RNS-D owners. Can the external-antenna be re-used ?

GlynH

Great write-up!

Thanks for taking the time chenishead...

As DutchDoofas says though the RNS-E does not seem to talk to the DIS when it comes to the Navi instructions unlike the original factory fitted RNS-D that was installed in my 2001 UK S8.

Does anyone know why or have any theories as to why it doesn't?

Loaded question I suppose...:-)

Can you tell I'm desperate to get my Navi instructions back in the DIS?

Kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

chenishead

Sorry Glyn, I asked about and some of the more technical members pulled the code of the signals being sent and then it died there. It was pages and pages of code that needed to be deciphered.

diogeniS8

Is this the long version?

chenishead

no

AmarB

Thanks for such a great write-up, It has given me the confidence to swap out my existing RNS D for an RNS E. I was just about to order a new RNS E but would like to know if there is a particular unit I should order? There is a £100 variation in price on some and I read somewhere that the D2 needs a particular one that accepts a gala speed signal. Is this true? Thanks in advance for your help.

Tonttu80

Hi

I have a problem with my install. I have -03 model S8 with RNS-D and tried to fit the RNS-E from A4 in to it. Now I have it working somehow, but I have no info to the cluster and no automatic start up or shut off by the key.
I was able to code the radio with wag-com, but the car it self gives away fault codes: no connection to the radio.
Also the buttons on the steeringwheel does not work.
I checked the wiring of the adapter, and it was like in the example.
I connected the two wires for the can-hi and can-lo to the cars original 26 pin connector pins 13 and 26 where the can-hi and can-lo are located, was that correct way to do?
Please help me with the installation...