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Author Topic: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth  (Read 6271 times)

Offline dodds-gttdi

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RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« on: December 18, 2013, 08:15:57 am »
A friend of mine has recently removed some parts from his car. I have the first shout on them, if they're not for me then I'll be looking to advertise them here. First off I'm trying to surmise what I have, how useful it is and what else I'd need to make it work. Here goes:

 - First up is a RCD510 DAB, needs a little clean up but works fine. Part number 3C8 035 195 A (doesn't seem to differ to non-DAB models)
 - 1J0 973 332 not sure what it is but seems to be connected to the microphone
 - 3B0 035 711 B OEM Microphone I think, looks like it fits up by the roof lights
 - 5N0 035 730 A Bluetooth Unit. Says Nokia on the box
 - Loom connecting the Bluetooth unit to quadlock (back of radio).

Couple of questions. What would I all need to install this in my car (currently have a RCD300, will need a CANBUS but can easily install that)? Main questions are for installing the Bluetooth.
What capabilities will I have with the revision A Bluetooth Unit? I have an iPhone, will that connect fine?

Finally if I don't go ahead and fit it to my car what is it all worth?

Thanks in advance (I'm at work but will try and upload pictures later today).  :happy2:

Offline Chris01

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2013, 11:57:57 am »
The bluetooth functionality might also depend on other car equipment besides the RCD such as the FIS (hi-line cluster) and the steering wheel controls afaik. I'm not 100% sure but the earlier bluetooth module does not support music streaming where the latter one does.

To install it over an RCD300 you would need an antenna adapter, which you can get from the dealer or ebay (7L6051551 about 30€, cheaper on ebay). You would also need to swap 3 pins on one of the quadlock wire sets. Depending on the outputs of the unit you could also install a rearview camera or a usb connector for ipod. A quick search says your unit does not support either module but you should check the back connections to make sure, there's like a dozen different versions of RCD510.

CAN gateway revision L or higher is considered safe, so you should not need to update, but judging from the silver headlights your car is pre 2008 so you'll probably have to.
Here's everything you'll need to know: http://www.my-gti.com/2564/upgrading-2nd-generation-headunits-rcd-300-rcd-500-mfd2-to-3rd-generation-headunits-rcd-210-rcd-310-rns-310-rns-510-rcd-510

Offline dodds-gttdi

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2013, 01:23:16 pm »
The bluetooth functionality might also depend on other car equipment besides the RCD such as the FIS (hi-line cluster) and the steering wheel controls afaik. I'm not 100% sure but the earlier bluetooth module does not support music streaming where the latter one does.

To install it over an RCD300 you would need an antenna adapter, which you can get from the dealer or ebay (7L6051551 about 30€, cheaper on ebay). You would also need to swap 3 pins on one of the quadlock wire sets. Depending on the outputs of the unit you could also install a rearview camera or a usb connector for ipod. A quick search says your unit does not support either module but you should check the back connections to make sure, there's like a dozen different versions of RCD510.

CAN gateway revision L or higher is considered safe, so you should not need to update, but judging from the silver headlights your car is pre 2008 so you'll probably have to.
Here's everything you'll need to know: http://www.my-gti.com/2564/upgrading-2nd-generation-headunits-rcd-300-rcd-500-mfd2-to-3rd-generation-headunits-rcd-210-rcd-310-rns-310-rns-510-rcd-510

Thanks Chris,

As my car stands I will need to change the CANBUS if I were to fit an RCD510. My CANBUS is before revision L so will cause battery drain with a 3rd generation radio. I already have a FAKRA Adaptor to convert the RCD300 antenna over to the new style.

I haven't heard of having to change over any pins before, and didn't need to in my last Golf when I went RCD300 to RCD510. Any reason I would need to this time?

 I have midline (or lowline?) i.e. only half height dash display, and no MFSW. I presumed control of the Bluetooth would have been carried out on the RCD510 screen after pushing the PHONE button to access that menu. I won't be looking to connect a reverse camera, also the RCD510 doesn't have the connector for that (big yellow one). I may wish to fit an armrest MDI I have lying around though. Seems easy enough as the loom for the bluetooth unit leaves a gap/space enough to fit the MDI loom connector (small blue one).

Offline paulw123

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2013, 03:09:15 pm »
i think you only need to change 2 pins if you have an external cd player, or something that uses the aux pins.
I didn't need to change anything when I swapped rcd300 to rcd510dab as nothing else was fitted.
The rcd510 sounds much much better, really good upgrade.
GT TDI sport 140 08plate,RCD510 DAB, leather armrest, euro cup holder

Offline dodds-gttdi

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2013, 04:23:25 pm »
i think you only need to change 2 pins if you have an external cd player, or something that uses the aux pins.
I didn't need to change anything when I swapped rcd300 to rcd510dab as nothing else was fitted.
The rcd510 sounds much much better, really good upgrade.


Good to know. I have changed from RCD300 to RCD510 before. Massively better sound quality and ability to keep track of radio stations.

Did you change to a DAB version of the RCD510. Will I only need a DAB antenna to make it work? I've been reading about diversity adaptors and gobbledegook like that.  :stupid:

Offline Chris01

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2013, 05:34:08 pm »
Pin relocation should apply to vehicles that were equipped with premium 7 radios such as the RCD300/MFD2 from factory. The issues reported were associated with bad sound quality in the CD changer and AUX inputs. Radio should have proper sound. VW issued a repair order for the reassignment of those pins in case of an upgrade to a premium 8 radio. The RCD510 should be fully functional without the pin swap, but you might run into sound quality issues in those inputs. Unless of course, you or someone else has already done the pin swap at an earlier point.
Yes bluetooth should work like you said, just no info on the cluster and no steering wheel controls, but someone else might be more qualified to advise on this.

Offline paulw123

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2013, 01:45:20 pm »


Good to know. I have changed from RCD300 to RCD510 before. Massively better sound quality and ability to keep track of radio stations.

Did you change to a DAB version of the RCD510. Will I only need a DAB antenna to make it work? I've been reading about diversity adaptors and gobbledegook like that.  :stupid:
[/quote]

Yeah on my08, I just got a windscreen dab aerial from dabonwheels. With BBC stations, when DAB signal gets week it changes over to FM, and then back again when signal strong enough.
GT TDI sport 140 08plate,RCD510 DAB, leather armrest, euro cup holder

Offline dodds-gttdi

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2013, 02:04:00 pm »
Good to know. I have changed from RCD300 to RCD510 before. Massively better sound quality and ability to keep track of radio stations.

Did you change to a DAB version of the RCD510. Will I only need a DAB antenna to make it work? I've been reading about diversity adaptors and gobbledegook like that.  :stupid:

Good to know. I have changed from RCD300 to RCD510 before. Massively better sound quality and ability to keep track of radio stations.

Did you change to a DAB version of the RCD510. Will I only need a DAB antenna to make it work? I've been reading about diversity adaptors and gobbledegook like that.  :stupid:

Yeah on my 08, I just got a windscreen dab aerial from dabonwheels. With BBC stations, when DAB signal gets week it changes over to FM, and then back again when signal strong enough.

I have done some research and found roughly the same. Been looking at an aerial from DABonwheels as they seem to do an ideal solution.

Perhaps now 'dabonwheels' are a member on here now they will do a forum discount

Memeber here (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=6725)

Offline paulw123

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2013, 04:40:10 pm »
Blimey are you a detective or something??

I went for this one http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/High_Performance_Internal_Glass_Mount_DAB_car_Aerial.html
as they recon its their best windscreen one. I think the roof mounted ones might be better, well the cost a lot more anyway.....
GT TDI sport 140 08plate,RCD510 DAB, leather armrest, euro cup holder

Offline dodds-gttdi

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Re: RCD510 DAB and Bluetooth
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2013, 09:31:08 pm »
Ha ha, no detective just saw one of their posts on another thread "Replacing RCD300 with an RCD510 DAB".

Will sent them a message and see what they reply. The aerial you linked above is the exact one I was looking at.