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Technology moving forward I guess in newer models. Nice to see that audi has eliminated radio concert/symphony with the new B9, B8/B8.5 radio concert has reached the end of its life cycle, and that the mmi firmware upgrade with B9 is done without the need of a diagnostic.
Last edited by apoelistas; 05-24-2019 at 08:18 AM.
Upgrading the MMI firmware is normal in all models with navigation since 2008
The B9 does not have more MMI than the MIB-2 (Modular Infotainment Platform) system
Radio concert audi procedure is with SVM and procedure takes 1hr 30 mins with vas5054a using odis service (there is also vas6154). There is a respective TPI for this upgrade (technical product information also called service bulletin in US). One could use odis engineering too (with vas5054a or vas6154) which can be done from home or garage, offline.
Somehow upgrading radio concert firmware with VCP, a third party solution, which has a european patent, takes double the time.
Good to know that mmi firmware update is easier even for B8/B8.5.
Not an audi expert, just an audi enthusiast talking from and out of experience. However will try to add firmware to my sd card and try to upgrade just in case facelift radio has a firmware upgrade option (unlike prefacelift)
According to all my initial research radio concert III with dab cannot be retrofitted. Nice start. This will be a very interesting project. Most difficult will be finding the compatible harness/antenna.
Last edited by apoelistas; 05-25-2019 at 05:50 AM.
R183 is digital radio aerial (probably window glass type)
R108 is aerial amplifier module in left side window in D pillar. First Connection point is done with aerial connector 6Q0035576K and connects to radio. Second is 3 pin type connector 1C0973119 (1C0973119B) and connects to the window internal aerial similar to he following diagram. Up to 30cm required x 3 x 0.5mm2 wires. some say the third wire is not needed because Q5 window has only 2 connecting points some other say you group the 2 wires together. . hope I will find the pin assignment for documentation. from web: Pin 1 goes to the green spot (F sign) Pin 2 & 3 together go to the orange spot, Others say Pin 1 and Pin 2 only needed, pin 3 is unused, . Others short pin 2 and 3 together. See following photo: (this seems to be the Audi way)
Left aerial module: 8R0035225J has dab support. Actually this aerial part number the part diagram shows that it goes to the rear window instead of the left D pillar rear window so you can choose where to install in case you have a window dab aerial there. Another module with Digital TV support goes to the rear left window (8R0035225M).
other parts for the aerial amplifier for fixing purposes
N10447201 hex bolt 4.8x13
WHT000011 expanding nut
3.5m or 4m (not sure yet) of aerial cable length with 6Q0035576K connectors on both sides.
Need information on window aerial????? Does my/your window come with one?? not sure either.
One window with aerial support is the following: 8R0845299AA (purchased a used one just in case I will upgrade to OEM aerial)
Pin assignment
Left aerial module - R108-
1 - Connection for window aerials ( digital radio aerial - R183- )
2 - DAB connection to radio - R-
3 - Not used
This was the Audi way.
Second way.
Or one can test without the original aerial amplifier module and connect an aftermarket dab radio antenna, from window (3M) to radio concert without other connection points
3m cable length with one end aerial and other end 6q0035576K connector. . Two types, passive and active.
Will try to check my rear boot left window or rear boot window if an aerial exists or if not order a window....well not really will order an aerial with fakra z connector.
I guess a retrofit kit will be made available soon if successful??
This completes my literature research.
My 2009 Q5 has no dab aerials on windows.
Will have to investigate a solution
1. Either with original parts and an antenna that looks like original where I can solder 2 or 3 wires (I can observe just 2 connecting points on a used window) .
2. A third party antenna that connects to the left boot window and directly to radio dab connector.
3. A new left boot window
3 will be examined as the last option
Option 2 Is what I will examine first or do a combination of 1 and 2, using the option 2 aerial with original equipment.
Steps:
1. Install dab antenna (I purchased one with fakra Z connector not sure if I need an adapter)
2. Copy coding and adaptation channels from existing radio
3. Retrofit dab radio from facelift
4. Copy dab radio codings and adaptation channel values and compare, Code and test
5. If all seem ok remove CP, dealer or otherwise from a licensed authorised account service provider.
I believe it can be done though there is no B8 retrofit kit / guide with original radio concert with original dab function from the known retrofit stores. They usually sell an external dab + equipment which consumes extra power.
Will replace photos with new ones during retrofit of parts.
Last edited by apoelistas; 05-29-2019 at 02:01 AM.
Finally this is the confirmed way to connect to the oem window aerial. Pin 2 and 3 bridged in a loop together. Photo from recked Q5 panel part 8R0845299AA. 8R0845299AA
This is how to install the third party one:
Last edited by apoelistas; 05-29-2019 at 12:42 AM.
Waiting for dab antenna or window only. Never did window swap before so more difficult to try that. Will keep it for future retrofit. Better to modify the 3rd party antenna. Also one bolt needed.
Next will save with VCDs original adaptation channel values and coding information before swapping radio.
Last edited by apoelistas; 06-04-2019 at 12:27 PM.
Installed Radio Concert facelift with DAB+ firmware 0460 and Removed CP. (As I said in the past I dont feel comfortable removing CP, but there is no other way unfortunately).
Codings are the same exactly with Prefacelift Q5 Radio Concert firmware 0350. Remember to copy same coding value as per previous radio. Then I also changed one adaptation value which had lower value on Facelift (same as prefacelift adaptation value 39 becomes 65535 rather than 65519). Then removed CP and was done with it.
However there are few additional adaptation values. The good is that adaptation values used for prefacelift exist also on facelift.
" Incorrect firmware is used" message when VCDs fault finding. Reason one has to change to facelift HVAC which I will not due to the reason I posted in my HVAC 3 Zone retrofit thread. Also get an open circuit message with dab antenna because is not connected yet.
Remaining work will be all related with the DAB antenna retrofit.
This facelift radio Concert has better sound quality. Rocks and looks good too. 50% of work completed if the remaining antenna installation work is considered to be 50% of total .
A note. Back up camera graphical distance lines on small overlay car (sensor radar lines) do not display still.
Last edited by apoelistas; 06-26-2019 at 12:39 PM.
It seems side effect of this retrofit is loosing HVAC screen visuals fan and temperature control and a/c display option like the auto recirculation and recycle.
These are the addition adaptation values on facelift radio concert
Channel 18 value 3442
Channel 19 value 0
Channel 46 value 252.
Last edited by apoelistas; 06-29-2019 at 03:15 AM.
All DTCs disappeared after a coding modification (this was purely by luck). All HVAC visual presentation selections and air quality sensor selections have now appeared. Youpi
Who wants a radio concert dab+ ?? I confirm that HVAC 3 zone from prefacelift is 100% compatible with Radio Concert Dab from facelift with 1 coding trick. Firmware incompatibility DTC message disappeared ad well.
Enjoy.
Last edited by apoelistas; 07-01-2019 at 08:51 PM.
05-24-2019, 07:46 AM
not sure either.
