2011 Stereo Caught Fire! (RCD510)

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
Hello All.

I have a 2011 Jetta TDI, one of the reasons I bought this car was the trim package that included the RCD510 stereo.

I was on the highway cruising playing an old WMA CD I found containing an old Dj mix I did years ago.

The left speaker seemed to stop working, then it started crackling, then I smelt some burning. Shortly after there was smoke coming out of my vents, a lot of it. I turned the radio off but the crackling of the speakers and smoke continued so I pulled over on the side of the highway and turned the car off.

I was almost at my destination so I started the car again, the stereo was dead but no more smoke.

Yesterday I pulled out the stereo to find that it seems it was something inside the deck itself as none of the wiring shows any signs of burning or even heat.

I called the dealer and they told me the warranty was 4 years 80,000km (Canadian car). I am at 104,000km.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? I am really surprised the dealer won't cover it as it seems it failed premature.

My car and sound system is 100% stock, I am not impressed that it is only 4 years old and the Stereo is already dead. I will be even more pissed if I can't get my CD's out of the thing.

I am now looking at either putting another RCD 510 in there or trying to upgrade to the RNS510 or aftermarket. But it seems aftermarket with navi is a lot more expensive.

Any thought's?
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
I have done some research and it seems aside from Chinese knock off's even the junkyards in my area want $450 for the RCD- 510.

I am now looking at this as an alternative, it's a group buy for an android system with navi for only 350.00.

Has anyone had any experience with the eonon GA5153V? It seems to be plug and play, same wring harness etc.

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2270898#post2270898
 

joeelmex

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Location
Atlanta GA
TDI
2012 Jetta Premium
That looks neat, I tried to install one of them a couple of years ago but it did not power on the AMP. IF you drive the premium model, there is an AMP on under the seat driver side. The older model would not power on the amp. This is a newer model so it might work or if you drive the non-Tdi Premium you dont have the amp. I might get on the group buy and buy 2.
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
That looks neat, I tried to install one of them a couple of years ago but it did not power on the AMP. IF you drive the premium model, there is an AMP on under the seat driver side. The older model would not power on the amp. This is a newer model so it might work or if you drive the non-Tdi Premium you dont have the amp. I might get on the group buy and buy 2.
Thanks for the reply Joe,
I see you replied in the thread.

I have the 6 speaker wound system with the RCD510. Is the amp visible if I look under the seat? Thanks for the heads up as this is kind of an important thing.

I would think it should have the ability to power an amp as many systems use them.
 

joeelmex

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Location
Atlanta GA
TDI
2012 Jetta Premium
Hmm you might have the premium. look under the seat driver side. If you see a box then you have the amp. The amp requires a digital signal to power on. I was hoping I could by-pass it with a remote (12V) but it was a no go. Some people have completely pulled the amp and wired a general amp in it's place. Here is my original thread and a picture of the amp. (I removed the cover so you can see the actual AMP)

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=378592
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
Hmm you might have the premium. look under the seat driver side. If you see a box then you have the amp. The amp requires a digital signal to power on. I was hoping I could by-pass it with a remote (12V) but it was a no go. Some people have completely pulled the amp and wired a general amp in it's place. Here is my original thread and a picture of the amp. (I removed the cover so you can see the actual AMP)

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=378592
Thanks for the link.

I looked under the seat and don't see the amp, assuming it is in the same location as the 2012 I would say I don't have one.

I still can't believe there is no solution to getting the factory amp to work with an aftermarket head unit.
 

joeelmex

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Location
Atlanta GA
TDI
2012 Jetta Premium
Then you should be good to go. Steering wheel controls worked and it even provided some other readings from the car if I recall correctly. I think they added this on the premium models 2012.
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
Then you should be good to go. Steering wheel controls worked and it even provided some other readings from the car if I recall correctly. I think they added this on the premium models 2012.
Thanks for the feedback, I am going to order this unit via the group buy.

If it takes too long I'll just order it from their website as it is only $40.00 cheaper.
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
Just ordered today, I will let you know how it goes once installed.
 

joeelmex

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Location
Atlanta GA
TDI
2012 Jetta Premium
Keep us posted. He came back to me and told me it wont work with the VW Fender Amp. I think you will be fine.
 

DjEclipse

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Location
Niagara Region
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI (Comfort Line), 2001 Jetta TDI Gone to TDi Heaven
Keep us posted. He came back to me and told me it wont work with the VW Fender Amp. I think you will be fine.
That is too bad, I don't understand how there can't be a solution to make it work with the Fender AMP. It seems to work for others that have different AMP's.
 

sydneycb

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Location
Sydney, NS
TDI
2011 Jetta TDI Highline
Hey,
I also have a 2011 Jetta TDI and my stereo died today. Started the car and it wouldn't power up. Suddenly it powered up after a while and it asked me for my code. Didn't know it so I turned the car off and started it again. Again no power to the stereo. Throughout the day it would come on for a bit then freeze up or when I turned the car off it wouldn't power up again. Went to the dealer and they checked it out. Told me power was going to the back of the unit but must have an internal error. Told me I would have to replace it at a cost of $655Cnd.
Are these units able to be repaired? Is this a common failure? Can the problem be diagnosed?
Just seems to be one thing after the other with this car. Into it for thousands of dollars in repair cost so far.
 
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