ColorMFA on Audi A3 8P

[bsdnikolov]

Hello, Autopilot. First at all, admiration for the work you done and the great result!

And now, the specific question. My car is Audi A3 8P, DSG (automatic), ModelYear 2006. I have a red MFA, but I would like to update the vision and the possibilities of the dashboard, by putting your ColorMFA. I know that the installation will not be easy as the backgammon models you have described as supporting ColorMFA, but I did a short break on the electrical connection and I think it would eventually become (if there is no big problem with CAN protocol). I allowed myself to briefly analyze the possible electrical connection. From the dashboard, I can bring out an additional connector that connects the display to the various modules. I would like to ask you, whether you think, it is possible. And also, whether the ColorMFA will support the CAN protocol TP 2.0] (Audi B7 also uses it). https://jazdw.net/tp20

- Terminal 30 (+12B Constant) => from the first pin of the dashboard;
- Terminal 31 (GND) => from pin 3 of the dashboard;
- Terminal 15 (Ignition) => from Onboard supply control unit, connector/pin G/11, or Steering column electronics control unit connector/pin D/17;
- K-line => from OBD connector pin 7;
- CAN High Drive Train => from a Steering column electronics control unit connector/ pin D/12 or from CAN Gateway pin 16;
- CAN Low Drive Train => from a Steering column electronics control unit connector/ pin D/11 or from CAN Gateway pin 6;
- CAN High Convenience => from a Steering column electronics control unit connector/ pin D/14 or from CAN Gateway pin 15;
- CAN Low Convenience => from a Steering column electronics control unit connector/ pin D/15 or from CAN Gateway pin 5;
- CAN High Infotainment => from CAN Gateway pin 20 or from radio;
- CAN Low Infotainment => from CAN Gateway pin 10 or from radio;
- Input1 => Here you have to tell me what type of signal I am looking for. I can handle to convert the signal from the trip computer control lever. Currently, the control is with a change of resistance, but I can also convert it to logical zeros.
- Input2 => The same question as in the previous paragraph.

In the next, I'm looking signals for Audi B6 (most closly to A3 8P):
- TrInput1 - Headlight Range Control => At 8P, the error is sending over CAN. But it's no problem to not register this error on MFA;
- TrInput2 - Brake Pad Warning => Pin 7 on the Dashboard;
- TrInput3 - ABS => Once again, it is monitoring over CAN and again it is not a problem of not recording the error on the display. There is a LED on the Dashboard;
- TrInput4 - Oil level/Oil Temperature => Pin 8 on the Dashboard;
- TrInput5 - Terminal 61 (Charge warning) => From Onboard supply control unit, connector/pin F/4;
- TrInput6 - Tank flag switch => There is no warning for open fuel cap at 8P;

P.S.
Excuse me for my bad English, but my Russian is even worse (I am from Bulgaria).

[autopilot]

Hi. Currently not supported A3 8P.
Problem not in connection. Problem with original cluster function working.
If you remove original display, all function is still active and work in background (you press button to ColorMFA function and original display also view this press and make changes in original function on parallel with ColorMFA).

[bsdnikolov]

If this are the main obstacle, I can handle wiht them without a problem.
The wiper stalk is connected via connector F of the Steering colum electronics control unit.


Board computer function is controlled via single wire, on 5-th pin in F connector. The signals are: 8.66 kOhms - without a pressed button, Reset - 0.32 Ohms, Down - 2.47 kOhms and Up - 1kOhms. I can easily remove pin 5 from connector or interrupt the wire track in the Steering colum electronics control unit and lead out in unusable pin of connector D. And I can convert signals of board computer commands from resistances, to 3 diferent logical zerols. Then, not to write an error in Steering colum electronics control unit, there is software coding. I can set, that the car is without an onboard computer (not to look for the stalk resistivity of the buttons at rest).
The other problem you described: the Dashboard. There again is a solution. The software solution consists: Software coding, that the dashboard is a "Highline without DIS". The coding is similar to that of A4 B6, however, MFA is permitted or forbidden by coding, than through adaptation channels. There is and another solution that I will deal with if ColorMDA can be fited on my car: I will buy a Lowline dashboard without MFA (which is really very cheap here), and I will put it in my car (I can easily easy handle with Immo matching).
If you have any other obstacles, I would be happy to make a decision for them (as long as I can).

Regards: Plamen Nikolov

[bsdnikolov]

How do you think, is it possible to get him on my car?

[autopilot]

Currently I'm not ready to make adaptation for 8P.
Need car for tests/checks/logs in "a stone's throw".

[bsdnikolov]

Can you join me for the next party so I can experiment? I want 1 peace.

[autopilot]

Currently I'm don't know when next batch is started. Need send current orders before start next batch.

[bsdnikolov]

Finally, I started the "Color MFA for Audi A3 8P" project. Many thanks for the prompt delivery of DirtyliMe. Now, the display is here and the work on the project has begun.
I purchased the Color MFA with firmware for the Audi B6/B7. It is closest to the Audi A3 8P.
The first thing I did was an adapter. At 8P, CAN communication was taken over by the external CAN Gateway. With a hand made adapter, I brought the signals from CAN Drivetrain, CAN Convenience and CAN Infotainment to the Color MFA from there. From there I also brought out Terminal 15 as it is not present on the dashboard.
Since I still can't mount the dashboard display (image must be rotated 180 degrees ), I also had to make a blue 32 pin dash adapter on the dashboard and mount the Color MFA on a training board. In this way, I give myself the opportunity to dismantle the Color MFA at any time.





Here's my scheme for connecting Color MFAs to adapters:




Here are the results of the first launch of the Color MFA at Audi 8PA:
- The display started and immediately displayed the first error:

An expected mistake, they predict that on the A3 8P, this signal is on the CAN. These days I will record the CAN headlamp error message so it can be associated with the error.
- This mistake I did not expect:

I connected to this input the signal for "Washer fluid lol". I expected both to be kept inactive by logic 0, but obviously not at B6.
- This was already a big surprise:

I have no idea why he showed up. The temperature is normal, as we can see on the screen.

And the tests began. First, I entered with VCDS at “17 – Instruments” and asked that the dashboard has reduced functionality (High level but with inactive DIS) from the coding, and from 82 adaptation channels I deactivated the factory menu of DIS.
Here are the first tests on the go:

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

And now it's time to mention the other issues that have been noticed:
- Does not read open bonnet. The original display reads it, but the Color MFA does not.
- Does not account for navigation mode. The navigation arrows do not appear on the screen.
- It's a little annoying that it doesn't use the entire radio information area, but also displays the speed there. So it turns out that my speed is displayed in 3 places. It's a little unnecessary.


Also, several of the analog inputs need to be adjusted to fit the real A3 8P:
- Coolant Level Low – logical 0 when everything is OK
- Brake Fluid Low - logical 0 when everything is OK
- Washer Fluid Low - logical 0 when everything is OK

These are the first impressions.

However, to allow for mounting, the image must be rotated 180 degrees. If it's a big problem to do this software, I can do it hardware, but it will lose its versatility.


This is it for now. Tests continue on Saturday.

I would be grateful if autopilot and DirtyliMe contributes to the successful completion of the project and the addition of 8P to the list of supported models.


Greetings:

[autopilot]

Hi.
It's great that you decided on such an experiment.

I think you contacted with Papazoff Garage... He have firmware for Golf Mk5. This firmware is more suitable for A38P. Firmware for A48E does not work correctly in your car.
About connection (use with firmware for Golf Mk5):
TrInput2 - connect to Brake Pad (dashboard - pin 7)
TrInput4 - connect to Oil level sensor (dashboard - pin 8 )
All other TrInput's disconnect from dashboard. All other info must be present in CAN-bus.

About your last video (Audi 8PA Color MFA 2)... This is a one off things why I not adapted ColorMFA for this cars. If you need use navigation data, is not possible in normal situation. Navi and normal screen switched always after you press "Set/Reset" button. This function is not possible to disable in original screen. Not possible to show navi info on ColorMFA and normal data on original screen at same time. Because only original screen connected to navi (in FullFIS cluster) and original screen blocked all attempts to connection from ColorMFA to navi (not possible for connection to navi from 2 device at same time). ColorMFA only parsing data exchange between cluster and navi. After you switch to normal screen, cluster send command "stop display any data" to navi and data not updated while your not switch to navi screen (press Set/Reset). But all button commands also switch data in ColorMFA... Any set/reset also change display mode.
May be possible show all navi info if your cluster does not have FullFIS (only HalfFIS or w.o.FIS) and enable all navi control in ColorMFA.

[bsdnikolov]

Hello, autopilot.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to continue with the "experiment". I uploaded the firmware "_mk5_xxx_v2.9.4b29" provided to me by Papazoff. It's really much more compatible with the 8P, but it still records an error at startup:





However, the firmware is written for Volkswagen and it's pretty annoying that their logo is everywhere, not Audi. Another noticeable disadvantage is that there is no analog input for reading the wiper fluid.

This week, a friend of mine whom I replaced a Dashboard without DIS with Dashboard with DIS, will give me my old one. After I swaped in my car, then I will continue the tests and check the NAVI communication. If the tests with the new Dashboard without DIS are successful, I will need a rotatde in 180 degree display, so I can mount it on the dashboard. I think that you can do it more easy by software, than I do by hardware.




Greetings:

[autopilot]

Please take photo of screen menu->System->Motor Info

Is it possible to mark the area visible on the screen after installing the front dashboard cover ?

[bsdnikolov]

Please take photo of screen menu->System->Motor Info

Is it possible to mark the area visible on the screen after installing the front dashboard cover ?

I can, but not right now. Tomorrow or the thay after tomorrow, I'll tell you with sure. Now I'm not near the car.

[autopilot]

Another noticeable disadvantage is that there is no analog input for reading the wiper fluid.

Washer fluid level warning must be present on CAN-bus. Not need make additional connection.

[bsdnikolov]

A48E does not work correctly in your car.
About connection (use with firmware for Golf Mk5):

I did the Golf MK5 firmware tests.

TrInput2 - connect to Brake Pad (dashboard - pin 7)
TrInput4 - connect to Oil level sensor (dashboard - pin 8 )
All other TrInput's disconnect from dashboard. All other info must be present in CAN-bus.

asher fluid level warning must be present on CAN-bus.

Yes end No.
When the dashboard is with FIS, the fault for the washer fluid is indeed logged by the CAN. But when the dashboard is without FIS (there is no half FIS dashboard in Audi A3 8P, only with or without FIS), it does not register an error and accordingly does not reflect anything on the CAN. Therefore, when using a dashboard without FIS, it is necessary to have a separate input to record the wiper fluid error.

Not need make additional connection.

Is needed, when dashboard is without FIS.

Another uniquely annoying problem is the constant fault of "WARNING! Coolant temperature too high!".

Appears every time after starting the engine. Apparently, the software is misguided at startup, and although it can see and display normal temperature in the information field, it still spells out the error.

Is it possible to mark the area visible on the screen after installing the front dashboard cover ?

I attach the photos. The photos were taken on a dashboard without FIS, as I will put a color MFA display on one. The goal is to master the navigation information as well.



























As you can see from the pictures, if the display is not rotated 180 degrees, there is a rather large dead zone below and a lot of information is hidden from above. Whereas, when on the back of the display, the visible area becomes perfect.


Greetings:

[autopilot]

Ok. In this week I'll make separate firmware for A38P for testing and send to you (PM).

[bsdnikolov]

Hello.
Due to a lot of work commitments, on Saturday I finally found some free time to continue with the project.
Many thanks for the speedy processing of the firmware as I wish. I am impressed. You've done a great job!



Here are the secondary existing problems that still stand:

1. Still have "WARNING! Coolant temperature too high" error message on ColorMFA, every time I start the car.



2. When I connect the ColorMFA to the car CAN, every time my original DIS displays error "washer fluid low". I think in some way the ColorMFA sends a command via CAN that there is no fluid. When ColorMFA is not connected, there is no massage "washer fluid low" until it's really low. When I completely disable the DIS function of the dashboard, there is no such problem, but I also lose the detection of the fluid (below you will see why I disable the DIS). I would like, if convenient, to make the firmware recognize this function (washer fluid low), as it did with the older generation Audi. If you can, just do a Trinput1, for example, to detect "washer fluid low" when there is no GND at Trinput1 inlet. This is a simple, reliable and workable solution to the problem.

These are the only problems I have noticed so far. The display worked perfectly, and we mastered navigation.

Navi and normal screen switched always after you press "Set/Reset" button. This function is not possible to disable in original screen

It's possible.

For navigation, the solution turned out to be quite simple in our eyes. No need to change the dashboard with new one without DIS! Here are the 4 steps, needed to get things done:

1. In ColorMFA software:


It was not marked by default "Show immediately" and for this reason, ColorMFA did not start previewing the navigation data. My request is, in case of a subsequent change in the software, that you make it checked by default.

2. In car dashboard: dashboard coding must be changed, that the dashboard is "Highline without DIS". Befor changeq my coding was 0004103, and I changed to 0006103.


3. Again in car dashboard: In dashboard adaptation channel 20, must disable "range display active" and "ambient temperature showing". My original valve was 111, and I change it to 12.


4. And again in car dashboard: In dashboard adaptation channel 82, must disable "Advanced Comfort Menu active". My original valve was 2, and I change it to 0.



Here is the video where you can see how the present day finally worked. This eliminates the need to replace the dashboard and look for one without DIS! Everything works just great!!!

phpBB [video]

+


And a personal and a bit silly request. For the A3 8P, the five-door is called the Sportback. If possible, the inscription should be this one:



Greetings:

[autopilot]

Still have "WARNING! Coolant temperature too high" error message on ColorMFA, every time I start the car.

Hmm... I'll try to check and fix it.
Possible take some photo in CAN-Monitor screen with active only Motor-CAN ? Data on the screen can be scrolled up and down. It is necessary that the photo contains all the data.

When I connect the ColorMFA to the car CAN, every time my original DIS displays error "washer fluid low". I think in some way the ColorMFA sends a command via CAN that there is no fluid. When ColorMFA is not connected, there is no massage "washer fluid low" until it's really low.

In normal condition ColorMFA not send any data to CAN-bus. Only if enabled additional features like OPS supporting, DDP master, e.t.c. But by default this options is disabled.
May be I sent to you firmware with active Debug CAN options. Sorry, I'll check it.

It was not marked by default "Show immediately" and for this reason, ColorMFA did not start previewing the navigation data. My request is, in case of a subsequent change in the software, that you make it checked by default.

Not all people use navigation, and not all people need to show Navi information immediately after it is launched. But it’s not a problem to enable this option manually. Also, if navigation is active, in the upper right corner on the main screen there is a green text "NAVI". If this text is present, you can switch to navigation by pressing and holding the reset button. Returns back to main screen also via pressing and holding the reset button

Main problem not in show navi or not show navi. Main problem with press the reset button while navi active. If all options in cluster is really disabled via coding, pressing the reset button does not affecting to display navi info on ColorMFA screen. Need check this... Use Reset/Up/Down in ColorMFA while navi active and see what's happening.

For the A3 8P, the five-door is called the Sportback.

Ok, I'll fix it.

[DPapazoff]

I wish to have one free pcs to return to mk5 project But soon
Great work boys, you are great

[bsdnikolov]

Hmm... I'll try to check and fix it.
Possible take some photo in CAN-Monitor screen with active only Motor-CAN ? Data on the screen can be scrolled up and down. It is necessary that the photo contains all the data.

Main problem not in show navi or not show navi. Main problem with press the reset button while navi active. If all options in cluster is really disabled via coding, pressing the reset button does not affecting to display navi info on ColorMFA screen. Need check this...

Yes, all options in cluster are really disabled via coding

Use Reset/Up/Down in ColorMFA while navi active and see what's happening.

Nothing happening on original DIS. Only ColorMFA change Navi and normal mode, when I hold "Reset".
[/video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_j1fjV ... e=youtu.be[/video]

And just one more small detail. When I open the door, the picture is shifted to the left.

At the end of the week, I also think to physically mount the display on dashboard.

[bsdnikolov]