TB: Distortion in the Display Unit in the Instrument Cluster (MFI, or Y24)

[PanEuropean]

Michael -- do you know if the compact disc that is talked about on this and other threads updates all three controllers -- 17, 37 and 07 -- or does it only update 37 and 07?

Hi Albert:

The CD with the software flash will only update the navigation controller (the navigation CD reader, which is controller 37) and the front information display and control head (the very large display between the two front seats, which is controller 07).

The instrument cluster (controller 17) can only be updated by taking the car to a VW dealer and having the dealer hook up the car (via internet) to VW head office. The technicians at head office then flash-update the instrument cluster.

Michael

[steveskinr]

Albert,

Some news at last. I picked up the car today and had some more fun in the snow.

Notes from the bill follow.

"Technician contacted Techline. TSB 900504 is obsolete. VTA 691291, software currently 0414. Can go to 0421. Update software level."

The technician told me it took two updates to get it all the way up to 21.

Even though I had pixelation, Fidelity would not pay for this particular problem as it is fixed by a software update. It cost me $128. (They did pay $1885 for three other issues - alternator, Kessy module replacement and horns.)

Alternator $410 + 176
Horns $159 + 37
Kessy $795 + 306

I had already updated the software that I am able to update.

Hope this helps a little bit.

Steve

[PanEuropean]

The technician told me it took two updates to get it all the way up to 21...

That is correct, first the software has to be flashed up to xx18, then it is flashed up to xx21.

Michael

[johnt26]

Hi Steve,
Do you have a copy of the info the tech used to update the software?
The best solution for me is probably to take it to Mac and have him do it.
Thanks!

[steveskinr]

John

MacLane will do a good job for you, I have no doubt. No more info than I posted.

You can borrow my CD for the other update if you like.

Drop by and take both cars for a test drive and see if the Continental DWS or the Michelins do better than the Serenity.

I will be home all next week. I can be reasonably confident we will have enough powdered global warming for you to play in.

Steve

[cnsandog]

Thank God for this forum and thread. My display went out and I called the dealer (in washington dc) and the tech said the display was fried and I would have to order another one from Germany! at a cost of $700 for the part plus labor. When I asked about a procedure like this - - "nope!! cant be done the unit is lost..."

I followed the procedure listed and it worked like a charm! Thank you much!

[PanEuropean]

Photos re-hosted.

Michael

[PanEuropean]

See also this discussion, which indicates that as of late 2012, there are still Phaetons out there in North America that have not had important software updates carried out:

Passenger window switch not working

The topic title is a bit misleading - it started out as a question about why a window switch was not working, and I don't think there is a correlation between window switches and software updates. But, once you get to post #8 in that discussion, you will start to see many of the same issues that have been discussed in this thread (way back in 2006) being discovered all over again.

Michael