Other Passat RNS510 power amplifier Dynaudio

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Do you also have the problem that your Passat won't start after a few days of standing still? You can quickly find "the solution" in the forums: the RNS 510 sat nav system has a problem with the bus, possibly simply incompatible software versions. Yes, this obviously happens quite often.

Here you will find a very inexpensive solution to test the whole thing.

Attention! These instructions are intended for keen DIY enthusiasts! Sparks from the battery, defective cables and unskilled hands can damage electrical devices or even cause the whole car to go up in flames. Therefore, do everything at your own risk and only if you can handle the devices listed.

• Switch off the ignition.
• Disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. Set the multimeter ammeter to the "A" position, first set the measuring range to the highest value (e.g. 10 A). Connect the battery positive terminal to the battery terminal. The meter should now display something, as various vehicle devices are often switched on when the battery is connected. If necessary, simply switch on the interior lighting briefly, the device will display 1-2 amps.
• Remove the RNS 510 and disconnect all plugs. 
• Let the car "fall asleep". This takes up to 15 minutes. To be on the safe side, you can also leave the car like this overnight. Leave the doors and bonnet open, the lights will switch off automatically later.
  
• The multimeter should now show about 0.00, maybe even 0.01 or something like that, i.e. a negligible value. Is that the case? Then you have almost certainly found the RNS 510 as the source of the fault. You can get an adapter plug from Amazon that should solve the problem cheaply https://www.amazon.de/Batterie-RCD510-RNS310-RNS315-RNS510/dp/B00N32DW2A.
  
  But maybe it's time to install an alternative? Look out for the special VW features such as rear camera, steering wheel remote control, air conditioning... https://autoradio-mit-navi.com/rns-510/
  
• However, if the multimeter now reads 0.2 or 0.3 (anything from 0.05), you have a so-called leakage current. "Something" is draining your battery. Now set the multimeter to a smaller measuring range, e.g. 2 A or better 1 A(mpere). Does it now show a value close to 300 mA? Then you have practically already identified the output stage as the fault. The RNS 510 is currently not connected to the vehicle electrical system and is therefore ruled out!
• To be on the safe side, locate the output stage (located under the driver's seat) and disconnect the cables there as well. Does the consumption on the multimeter now suddenly drop to 0.00 ... 0.02? Bingo, you've finished your search.
• You can have the power amplifier repaired cheaply here: https://www.amp-performance.de/1417-VW-Passat-Dynaudio-Verstaerker.html

I have been to 3 VW workshops with this defect. By "pulling the fuse" I quickly came to the conclusion myself that it must be the entertainment system (i.e. around the RNS510).

You can quickly find various tips in the forums (extra switch-off plug for the RNS510, software update...). The two VW dealers in Kassel (Glinicke) saw no other option than to replace the RNS510 - 2,500 euros! "And then the problem with the discharged battery will be solved?" "Presumably yes". But they didn't want to give me a guarantee for 2,500 quid. I then bought this adapter plug https://www.amazon.de/Batterie-RCD510-RNS310-RNS315-RNS510/dp/B00N32DW2A and installed it and realised that nothing has changed. I could have done it cheaper and quicker with the instructions above.

At Klein im Fuldatal (in my opinion the best VW workshop in the region), someone listened to me. In the workshop, the wiring harness in the rear area was examined first (100 euros extra), but then the output stage was found and replaced. 600 euros instead of 2,500 euros was quite something. If I had done more research at the time, I would have found the power amplifier and had it repaired. I would have saved a total of 1,000 euros and no specialist would have been able to tell me anything about the horse (RNS 510 replacement). Even today, a multimeter is sometimes enough to solve complicated problems (battery drains in 6 days) with a little thought.