Scirocco Central

OK, I'm hoping someone can help with this.
I've noticed that when my iPod is connected to the MDI that it doesn't get charged up.
I've also noticed that when the ignition is off that the iPod is still active.
I would have thought that as the iPod is effectively docked in the MDI that it should be charging.
I would also have thought that when the stereo is turned off that the iPod should also be turned off.
Can anyone else confirm they have the same functionality or have encountered this and raised it with VW?

Many thanks.

Mine charges ok but does not switch off when the stereo is off, or the ignition is switched off. This may be due to having the Hold switch on but I'd need to check this.

OK, I thought that might be the case, so although it charges up while running it subsequently drains the charge by keeping the iPod active when not in use, this needs to be addressed by VW, there is absolutely no point keeping the iPod active when not in use.
For your reference I do not have the hold switch on on my iPod, ecery other docking station I have effectively stops using the iPod when it is turned off so the iPod goes into standby.

does it not put itself to standby after a minute or so? That's what iPods usually do after you remove it from a dock, or take it off charge.

No, it just sits in an active state saying it is connected to media interface or somesuch. Basically the MDI does not release the connection when the stereo or ignition is turned off, it obviously stops charging the iPod though as the charge drains.
Very strange behaviour for a dock system.

My Ipod also stays on after the ignition is switched off but after a minute or so switches itself off. Have you tried another Ipod with the MDI? This would narrow down the problem to see if its your Ipod at fault or the MDI.

I think the MDI socket powers UP and DOWN when you lock / unlock the car.

OK, so I've done some testing with this and wathced what happens in various scenarios:

iPod connected, ignition turned on - iPod powers up with power symbol and says MediaIn connected.
Turn ignition off, MediaIn goes off and iPod returns to normal screen, a couple of seconds later MediaIn comes back on then 10 or so seconds later goes off again.
It would seem that there is some issue with the MDI interface and how it works with the stereo? Does anyone know exactly how the interface betwen the 2 works, I would guess that the MDI is a seperate system in itself that has a feed from the stereo and that there is an inconsistent communication issue with this interface, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
I also find that the stereo will say unknown media on occasion and the iPod will be locked up and require a reset in order for it work again with the MDI.
I have never had any issues with this iPod outside of the MDI, I will however try another iPod just in case.
Has anyone else had similar inconsistent or irratic iPod behaviour?

I would also check that you have the latest version of Apples software on your iPod.

I used to have an Alpine head unit with full iPod connectivity in my old Peugeot.
When I first had it my iPod used to behave similarly erratically and I couldn't work out why.
Then one day I downloaded the newest version of Apples iPod software and suddenly it worked perfectly and switched off when it should, i.e. when I switched the head unit off.

Thanks Nick,

I have checked the iPod software and it is upto date, I'm wondering if it could be the MDI to iPod cable that is faulty or the MDI connection itself, would be good to find out if anyone else is experiencing the same issues.

I've had the similar probs with my iPod. It seems to charge ok but it occasionally says it's not connected (when it is!). Also had a bizarre prob with it last week...tried to skip a track using the steering wheel controls and it went mad...started scrolling through all the tracks on the iPod then displayed no media in...grrrr(stopped when I disconnected it turned the ignition off and started again!). Defo a gremlin somewhere in the MDI! Have had numerous probs following an accident (some kid drove into me...grrr)....so haven't quite had the energy to back to the dealer...again! (car's now 3 months old but have only been driving it for 2 months cos it's been off the road being fixed). If you manage to fix it can you let me know what you did please? (thanks x)

Hi Guys, Just got an iPod cable off but I have still to try it. What versions of the iPod are you using with the MDI. Maybe the problem is with certain models I have a 16GB Touch, 30GB Colour and an elderly 20GB Mono one that I intend to leave in the car.

By the way, how do you fish the ipod back out of the bin in front of the MDI connector as it is a bit deep? Or do you put something in the bottom to raise it up a bit.

Cheers

Hi, mine is a 120Gb iPod Classic, I have around 4000 tracks on there organised in Albums, etc.
There's definately an issue somewhere with the MDI software, it does all sorts of wierd stuff:

1. What's the deal with how the entire system starts up, e.g. why does it sometime come on with the 'Welcome to Volkswagen' screen, but sometime it just comes on without the welcome screen?
2. I generally always leave my iPod connected, very often after being playing a track from the iPod I turn off and leave the car, lock up, etc. When I come back and turn on it will show it is trying to play the last track from the iPod but it doesn't play it, then after a while it will come up saying MDI: Device w'out function, I then need to disconnect the iPod and reconnect, it will then immediately carry on playing the track correctly.
3. On rare occasion it actually appears to crash the iPod and I have to disconnect and perform a factory reset as the iPod is completely locked up.
4. I've also noticed that on my RNS510 I get a click when braking, this happens on whatever source I am using, it's not a brake light click as it happens sfter I've pressed the pedal, it's very strange, has anyone else noticed this, it's quite apparent when the volume is high.

thebeast1234 wrote: 1. What's the deal with how the entire system starts up, e.g. why does it sometime come on with the 'Welcome to Volkswagen' screen, but sometime it just comes on without the welcome screen?
2. I generally always leave my iPod connected, very often after being playing a track from the iPod I turn off and leave the car, lock up, etc. When I come back and turn on it will show it is trying to play the last track from the iPod but it doesn't play it, then after a while it will come up saying MDI: Device w'out function, I then need to disconnect the iPod and reconnect, it will then immediately carry on playing the track correctly.

This could be explained if the radio powers almost down, keeping the current state in memory, ready to leep into action still thinking that the iPod is connected and playing (even thought the iPod had been turned of by the MDI, and is only just booting a fresh).
And when more than x hours has passed, then the radio powers all down so that it needs to boot up, which takes longer, hence the "Look at this pretty Welcome picture while i figure out if am a radio or a digital watch"

Check out iTunes, a recent software update seems (fingers crossed) to have fixed my iPod Nano crashing...

Thanks Bianco,

My thoughts exactly, which again would lead me to think there is some issues between the interface of the radio and the MDI system, this has to be a firmware problem, but it seems to be inconsistent with the length of time it has been off, i.e. it can bring up the Welcome screen after a short period of time or generally seems random, I wonder if there is battery backup or something in the radio that is running down.

This sounds to me like your MDI->iPod cable is dodgy, or the connection between the cable and the ipod. Look in the iPod dock connector in a good light, make sure there is no debris or bent pins. IIRC there is a 'accessory connected' pin, if there is voltage on this then the iPod turns on, when the power goes off the iPod detects it has shut down and starts to countdown its own sleep timer. If something is interfering with this pin the iPod would possibly fail to initialise properly and fail to power down again after. Lack of charging could also suggest the connection is not sound.

Have you tried a usb drive? This may help you isolate whether this is an iPod problem or a MDI problem.

Could you pop down to a dealer and try a known working MDI->iPod cable?
Or do you have a friend with a known-working iPod?
Try to eliminate as many variables as possible.

Adding to the problem is the fact that iPods can be fickle when being used in conjunction with accessories - I have seen iPods fail to initialise properly and require a re-plug on numerous head units, so some of your issues and not unique to the RDS 510....

Sorry for the ramble, hope something in there is helpful..

Thanks Dabs,

I have another iPod I can check and I have tried a USB stick, not a drive.
Thanks for the info.