MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Sat Nav and Car Audio => Topic started by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 07:38:30 pm

Title: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 07:38:30 pm
Hi all

Just wondering if anyone on here knows how to convert a Skoda Columbus RNS 510 to a VW RNS 510 so it basically shows all the VW logo's and works exactly as the VW unit does bar the green lights of course...

anyone aware if this is even possible?

thanks
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on December 11, 2010, 07:39:48 pm
 :P
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 07:46:19 pm
 :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on December 11, 2010, 07:57:22 pm
Personally mate Id wait and save a bit more dosh, for another £125-£150 you could get an RNS.

If you could live with the green lighting then the Skoda splash screen is not much more of a compromise.

Personally the green lighting would drive me insane!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 08:33:04 pm
I think there actually the same units I will have the software and cable to do the change in a couple of weeks :happy2:

I think the lighting is dual SMD's so will be red & green so once you code the unit to be either SEAT or VW and its red and then code to Skoda and its green.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 08:35:40 pm
Hi Darren

Thanks for your reply,

How soon do you reckon you'd be able to do it then? I'm being offered the columbus at 350quid!

and is it a definite yes to being able to do it? i think its a 'A' unit though, but thats irrelevant to me tbh, as far as i know the only difference is the LED screen, voice control... and thats pretty much it really?

thanks
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on December 11, 2010, 08:45:02 pm
 :signLOL:  I thought you were giving up all this retro fitting game Darren??   :signLOL:

I still think £350 for a A unit you have to mess about with is not what I'd call a 'bargain'.



Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 08:47:28 pm
the thing is, i'm hard pushed finding another rns-510 for less than 400quid even, so even if it sets me back around 50quid to get it working, still cheaper than waiting and ringing around for one to show up!

my local vw breakers are a bit 'dodgy' so anything from them is to be treated with suspicion so a breakers is out of the question, all the others ive rang dont have it! ebays the only option and they're goin for 450+ on there
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 09:00:42 pm
Hi Darren

Thanks for your reply,

How soon do you reckon you'd be able to do it then? I'm being offered the columbus at 350quid!

and is it a definite yes to being able to do it? i think its a 'A' unit though, but thats irrelevant to me tbh, as far as i know the only difference is the LED screen, voice control... and thats pretty much it really?

thanks

Where abouts are you? 

Has for when, will be as soon as I get the lead and software mate, Iv'e just ordered every thing from germany.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 09:01:47 pm
I'm in Birmingham but don't mind travelling to get it sorted, what sort of cost am i looking at?

cheers
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 09:02:39 pm
Lee I did too but I just can not put the tool box down :grin:

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 09:03:51 pm
I'm in Birmingham but don't mind travelling to get it sorted, what sort of cost am i looking at?

cheers

If you can get to me mate Ill do it for £45

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 09:04:24 pm
where abouts are you?!lol. that sounds reasonable

Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 09:09:02 pm
Leeds :happy2:

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 09:10:39 pm
thats not too bad, about 15quids diesel!lol

ok, i'm gna be collecting that unit in the new year then after i get back from my break, and possibly second week of january would be looking to get this done perhaps? assuming its something you can just to 'while i wait'?

cheeers

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 11, 2010, 09:14:29 pm
Yes will be able to do while you wait :happy2:

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on December 11, 2010, 09:19:17 pm
@ Apples12,

Darren was the guy I was gonna put you onto about doing your cluster swap so you might wanna get that done at the same time??

@ Darren,

I know what it is....Now you've retrofitted everything you can to your car, you need to satisfy your addiction and retrofit everything to everyone elses car!!! At least you'll earn a few quid doing it!!   :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 11, 2010, 09:24:41 pm
ooh yeah!

well, I bought a CAN commander cable and i've already managed to do the cluster swap! it was a piece of cake!

the only thing left to do is visit the chap i got the clocks off and pickup CECM and CCM modules for the golf, get those fitted, hunt down a MFSW then im sorted!

do you know anyone who can get a scirocco steering wheel airbag? been offered a MINT scirocco MFSW for £70 but no airbag
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on December 11, 2010, 09:43:59 pm
Nice one,

It is easy! I was unsure at first but once you get the software its easy!

Darren might know of someone re the airbag if not EddieNL on here (and mkvs) might be able to help you out.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 12, 2010, 09:24:03 am
@ Darren,

With your cable, do you think you'd be able to recover a RNS 510 Rev A that someone attempted to update with the 3800 firmware? symptoms of that are now a blank white screen...

that ones going for 220
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 12, 2010, 08:52:38 pm
If they are bricked and the 2720 fix that Josi has did not recover the it then it will need a new motherboard.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 15, 2010, 12:19:38 pm
Hi Darren,


Do you know where the firmware is located on the actual RNS unit?

is it stored on the harddrive or is it on an eeprom on the motherboard?


(I'm not tooo familiar with car electronics but a bit of a general electronics specialist, and i know for a fact that if the firmware is stored on an eeprom/memory chip on the motherboard, direct connection to this to flash a clean/safe dump to this chip will restore the unit. not necessary to replace the working motherboard unless of course is physically damaged. i've recovered and cleared codes from 'no-good' ABS and airbag units this method, just read the eeprom, alter the dump to clear the data and re-flash and thats that!)

cheers
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on December 15, 2010, 05:04:32 pm
Apples the Firmware is in both the motherboard and the hdd, the actual RNS software that controls the like of the radio and functions are on the motherboard but the music and other stuff are on the hdd.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apples12 on December 15, 2010, 05:09:47 pm
Sorted,

I'll post back here once i've recovered that damaged Rev.A unit, by the sounds of it the eeprom has a 'bad' flash, should be a simple case of read, dump, read and flash!


thanks for the advice

(any chance you'd have a working rev.A on your bench?!)
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 14, 2011, 08:52:48 am
Darren did you ever get the software to do this?
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: danishmkvgti on February 14, 2011, 09:08:20 am
yes Darren did get it  :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 14, 2011, 09:34:43 am
And it worked as planned? The SMD's are dual colour?
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 14, 2011, 01:11:17 pm
Hi Ian yes got the cable and software to do the changes but still not sure if the SMD's are duel colour or not???

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on February 14, 2011, 01:30:58 pm
Darren,

Is that group VIM session any closer to happening??

Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 14, 2011, 01:57:11 pm
Hi Ian yes got the cable and software to do the changes but still not sure if the SMD's are duel colour or not???

Darren

Are you still in the RNS supplying business!? I'm looking a 1Z0 version Columbus.
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 15, 2011, 08:20:25 pm
Lee not at moment but I have got plans to go down to Birmingham at the end of the month got 3 to do there if you fancy a drive :happy2:

Ian not doing has many at the moment but never really got the columbus units it was just the VW.

They can be picked up off ebay very cheaply for some reason, they seem to go for a lot less than the VW units

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: apollo13 on February 15, 2011, 09:04:59 pm
Cheers Darren,

It looks like your partner in crime may be doing it for me, he's a bit nearer my neck of the woods  :happy2:
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 16, 2011, 01:59:33 pm
Lee not at moment but I have got plans to go down to Birmingham at the end of the month got 3 to do there if you fancy a drive :happy2:

Ian not doing has many at the moment but never really got the columbus units it was just the VW.

They can be picked up off ebay very cheaply for some reason, they seem to go for a lot less than the VW units

Darren

Sadly those are the 3T0 units which are trickier to pair with MFSW and maxidot.

I'm assuming version A VW units don't suffer from battery drain either, as they'd be easier to come by. Just wondering about the changing of the LED's!
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 16, 2011, 03:07:12 pm
If you get someone who knows what they are doing then the SMD lighting can be changed quite easily.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 16, 2011, 08:21:30 pm
I've a mate that's a wizz with SMD conversions. Is the front panel easily removed?

Would never have thought of that!
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 17, 2011, 07:11:31 am
Yes mate front can be removed very easily then its just a matter of stripping the metal backing off and then the control board and then down to the screen.

The large control board will have all the SMD's on

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 17, 2011, 07:56:15 am
Are there any guides or photos on what I'm looking for?

Is the control panel totally separate to the brains of the unit? IE, is there any chance of me bridling it by opening it and fiddling about?

And have you heard of it being done before?
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 17, 2011, 05:11:05 pm
Ian I'm just messing changing and RNS510 into a Columbus at the moment,  I am just finishing off putting the firmware on and the splash screen is now the Skoda version.

It just needs the lighting changed?  Yes its been done and yes its easy enough IF you know what your doing.  It cannot be bricked just by messing with the front panel, but IF you don't know what your doing then obviously you can knack the screen and front panel up which goes without saying really.

You can have this unit for what I paid plus postage which was £460 plus £15 postage

Or I can change it back to VW and just get rid to someone else so no pressure mate :happy2:

Darren

*****Small Update*****

I have found someone who will do the lighting change for £50 but takes a little bit of time.

To be honest for the amount I need for the unit and then the change you would probably be able to get a newish C version LED Columbus??
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Lyons on February 18, 2011, 06:16:40 am
Darren to be honest the VW badge wouldn't bother me, it's just the red lights.

I'd only go for a VW unit if I find an A which is considerably cheaper than a Columbus.

Thanks anyway though.
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Richn83 on February 18, 2011, 10:04:20 am
Ian I'm just messing changing and RNS510 into a Columbus at the moment,  I am just finishing off putting the firmware on and the splash screen is now the Skoda version.

It just needs the lighting changed?  Yes its been done and yes its easy enough IF you know what your doing.  It cannot be bricked just by messing with the front panel, but IF you don't know what your doing then obviously you can knack the screen and front panel up which goes without saying really.

You can have this unit for what I paid plus postage which was £460 plus £15 postage

Or I can change it back to VW and just get rid to someone else so no pressure mate :happy2:

Darren

*****Small Update*****

I have found someone who will do the lighting change for £50 but takes a little bit of time.

To be honest for the amount I need for the unit and then the change you would probably be able to get a newish C version LED Columbus??

Darren if you dont have anyone lined up for this then I have someone interested what version is it?
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: mortygttdi on February 18, 2011, 04:38:41 pm
Rich its a very late B version. the condition is that good that it looks like its just come off the prod line :happy2: the only thing now is that Ive' been messing and trying to get it like a Skoda unit I didn't have the 1300 firmware to swap it back to so its on 2720 :grin: But Ill get it back to or which ever firmware some one is wanting for it.

It did look good with the Skoda splash screen :grin:

I can get more but if you want this one PM me and ill send you some payment details and get it out to you.

Darren
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Usual Suspect on September 01, 2013, 09:55:20 am
Hi has anyone managed to successfully Convert a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?

If so is it just a case of putting VW firmware onto the unit?

I'm not bothered about the screen illumination colours just want the unit to work like a VW Rns 510

Many thanks
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: Eddie-NL on September 08, 2013, 04:16:57 pm
If your not bothered by the screen colours just fit it

Button illumination would require new SMD leds to be soldered
Title: Re: Converting a Skoda Columbus to a VW RNS 510?
Post by: johnEOS on June 07, 2016, 11:34:23 am
Hello this message is for Darren, I just bought an RNS510 off a skoda and would like to fit it on VW Eos 2007, could you help!!! please.