Another dead Concert HU!

danA3T · Jul 7, 2009

My 99 A3TS is now on it's second concert HU after the first one got the all-too-common dodgy volume knob. Now it seems that the replacement is going the same way!

I've just been reading this http://www.erta.ru/review/chorus-problem_eng.shtml and I'd guess it's the EEPROM failure, not the simple tightening of the screw, though would love to know if this has worked for anyone as a simple repair?

Either that or to ebay for a replacement....the replacement HU was slightly wider so had to make a small cut into the dash, which has worked for 3 ish years.

Will the slightly newer Concert (2?) HU with CD player out of a newer A3 work in my 99 A3 without any drama or is nothing that simple!? I've got a Sony CD Changer into my Concert HU as well - it would be great if this would work with a newer Concert CD HU as well.

Thanks in advance.

danA3T · Jul 8, 2009

bit of a follow up-- whilst in traffic today I fiddled with the Bass/treble/fader controls and they're erratic too, so maybe it's just the screw on the nob that is loose as per the link above.

Anyone done the repair before?

AndyMac · Jul 8, 2009

No the eprom issue effects all the controls, it's just more apparent on the volume. Basically the eprom stores every adjustment made to any of the knobs on the HU, up to a limit of 10,000, when it runs out of space and won't work properly anymore.
You can fit a Concert2 but they nly work properly with CANBUS controlled vehicles, which a 99 is not. So you'll get the HU turning itself off after an hour, manual turn on/off and no DIS. Your changer will work with any Audi HU.

danA3T · Jul 9, 2009

******, knew it couldn't have been that simple! thanks for the reply though - saved me the cash to find out it wouldn't work!

Wondering if it's worth to try another replacement Concert I HU or if they're all dying by the time they get this old?!

AndyMac · Jul 9, 2009

Yes they all will reliably fail after 10,000 changes to volume/bass/treble/fader/balance, which isn't a lot. Only 3 years use if you drive every day and change the volume 10 times per day. Stafford Audi were doing a special offer on ebay for £130 on refurbed units with 1yr warranty which had the new chip in them so the problem would not recurr, but nothing on there at the moment. Personally I'd spend the money on a Becker GP, and get the benefit of far superior sound and functionality (mp3 etc) for around £250. Looks totally stock as well:
http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/GP7992_becker-grand-prix-7992-cdmp3wma-tuner.html

danA3T · Jul 10, 2009

Like it a lot. would have to get a new surround though as had to butcher the existing one to fit the slightly wider Concert HU (got one out of a larger model - A4/6 or something).

Saw a mint example on here of a guy who'd fibreglassed and filled around his new HU and it looked the business. Sadly, I don't have that kinda talent...

A3Tom · Jul 11, 2009

AndyMac said:
Yes they all will reliably fail after 10,000 changes to volume/bass/treble/fader/balance, which isn't a lot. Only 3 years use if you drive every day and change the volume 10 times per day. Stafford Audi were doing a special offer on ebay for £130 on refurbed units with 1yr warranty which had the new chip in them so the problem would not recurr, but nothing on there at the moment. Personally I'd spend the money on a Becker GP, and get the benefit of far superior sound and functionality (mp3 etc) for around £250. Looks totally stock as well:
http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/GP7992_becker-grand-prix-7992-cdmp3wma-tuner.html

My concerts doing the same, its pants.

Would that Becker system run OK with the BOSE set up and would it be OK with the stock Audi changer in the boot of my 2000 A3?.

Cheers

Tom

AndyMac · Jul 11, 2009

It'll be fine with Bose, doesn't even need an adapter, but no aftermarket HU's will work with the stock changer.

A3Tom · Jul 11, 2009

AndyMac said:
It'll be fine with Bose, doesn't even need an adapter, but no aftermarket HU's will work with the stock changer.

Ahhh crap, so a new changer will be required then

Back to the original issue with the Concert though, mines fine in warm weather but in the vold the volumes all over the shop, is that the same fault as everyone else?.

My other halfs TT has one in too which has the same problem, warm weather and its good as gold....cold weather and its a nightmare.

T

Boxxer1973 · Jul 12, 2009

i just bought the shorter HU from a member on here you can have it for what i paid £50

AndyMac · Jul 12, 2009

But if you go for a Becker you don't need a changer as it'll play mp3 CD's so 10 CD's per disk. You can sell the changer for about £70 to put towards the cost.

Boxxer1973 · Jul 12, 2009

will the becker do ipod ? and whats really needed to put a aftermarket stereo in a facelif 8ls3?

A3Tom · Jul 12, 2009

AndyMac said:
But if you go for a Becker you don't need a changer as it'll play mp3 CD's so 10 CD's per disk. You can sell the changer for about £70 to put towards the cost.

Hmmm, I like the sound of that.

Is it the same width as the concert or would I need to locate some of those little blanking plates to cover the gaps at each side?.

T

AndyMac · Jul 12, 2009

No you still need to blank the gaps. On a 2000 you just need the wraparound surround, which looks a bit more OEM than the little plates on each side:
http://www.caraudiodirect.biz/audi-facia-adaptor-6.html

A3Tom · Jul 13, 2009

Thanks Andy, great advice here, certainly food for thought.

Cheers

Tom

A3Tom · Jul 13, 2009

Stoke Audi have got some Concert 1's in stock, I've had a look in my owners book for mine and its says that its a 'Concert', is this a Concert 1 before I order one?.

Also will it be BOSE enabled etc as I know that not all of them are so just checking.

Cheers

Tom

AndyMac · Jul 13, 2009

Yes a Concert is a Concert 1. Bose enablement is nothing to do with the HU, it is the wiring that dictates whether you get any response from your bass and treble controls not the HU. Your Bose wiring will have an earth lead to the Bose pin on the HU which will put the HU automatically into the awful flat Bose EQ. The Bose welcome when you turn the HU on is purely cosmetic and is set via VAGCOM.

A3Tom · Jul 13, 2009

Thanks Andy, I'll order one up tomorrow as its a fair bit cheaper than the becker and I can retain my CD changer.

T

GaryAD · Aug 5, 2009

Hi

I have a Concert, and it works fine, the volume knob playin the mickie, sometimes when I want to turn it up, it goes from 0... but a good twist help so far... My bigger problem are the rest of the pushbuttons. The previous owner butchered them with a black marker when the paint started to fade away, so I know this sound a foolish and idiot but I would need a only the buttons. Therefore I would be interested faulty HU-s as long as they appearance is nice (paint not faded etc) Any idea?

AndyMac · Aug 6, 2009

That's how it starts I'm afraid. You are experiencing the first stages of the volume issue. The problem will just get worse & worse the more you use it until it becomes unusable, so no real point spending money on it.

Another dead Concert HU!

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