Autowatch Ghost

jdp1962

jdp1962

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I'm contemplating getting a Ghost installed. I contacted Autowatch head office and they arranged for their nearest approved installer to me to get in contact. They rang me yesterday, and were very informative and confidence-inspiring (it helps they're a firm I've done business with before, albeit about fifteen years ago). But one thing he did say, which I hadn't picked up in any of my research to date, is that some Audi models might need an additional analogue engine cut-out, and they won't know until they inspect the car at the time of installation.

Has anyone here heard of that before?
 
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Wasn't an issue on my RS3 or 4.

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk
 
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My mate has 1 installed by awesome gti on his b8.5 and he never mentioned anything about it.
 
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You have me thinking about it too Jeff.

I would have expected that the installer would be able to determine issues like that in advance. However possibly it is because they cannot be sure based on the information supplied and do not have the facility to check using the VIN. Remember that the CREC engine uses SENT sensors and has the completely new SIMOS16 ECU. Did you tell them that? Also your ECU has been remapped - is that relevant?

If I get one of these installed my other concern is whether it will be compatible with my FIS-control MMI which is connected to the CAN bus. I can't see why it would but...
 
Dippy said:
You have me thinking about it too Jeff.

I would have expected that the installer would be able to determine issues like that in advance. However possibly it is because they cannot be sure based on the information supplied and do not have the facility to check using the VIN. Remember that the CREC engine uses SENT sensors and has the completely new SIMOS16 ECU. Did you tell them that? Also your ECU has been remapped - is that relevant?

If I get one of these installed my other concern is whether it will be compatible with my FIS-control MMI which is connected to the CAN bus. I can't see why it would but...
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I have no idea what SENT sensors are........ :search:
 
I've just had one fitted on my S4 and there was no additional engine cut-out required (to my knowledge - they didn't mention anything anyway...) however mine is the B8 w/ SIMOS 8.4 ECU, I've seen it on much newer Audis than mine and never heard of the additional work needed but would be interested to find out more!
 
I suspect he’s being over-informative, nothing more than that. I’ll mull it some more and then decide.
 
It seems to be a great bit of kit which the way things seem to be going with these cars is needed more than ever.

As soon as mine is out of storage it’s having 1 fitted
 
Apparently it's "Single Edge Nibble Transmission". With the lack of technical information about the Ghost (which makes sense since its a security device) I have no idea what parts of the car it needs to interface to. I was just highlighting the key differences which may affect compatibility.
 
Hate to be the negative ned on this but I’m sure I recall a post where Audi claimed they couldn’t trace or fix an electrical fault until the owner had the ghost system removed.
I guess that’s just one post counter balanced by many positives
 
Keef said:
Hate to be the negative ned on this but I’m sure I recall a post where Audi claimed they couldn’t trace or fix an electrical fault until the owner had the ghost system removed.
I guess that’s just one post counter balanced by many positives
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Not true.

Ive had a ghost on mine for about 1 1/2 years.

Only problem ive ever had with anything aftermarket vs main dealer was previous owners hands free wiring intergrated badly into the radio pack. Had to remove this before Audi would do heater element recall.

The Ghost system was fitted at this time and caused no issue! Hell there techs didnt even pick up that the battery level sensor cable was unplugged to render stop/start inoperable (By choice).

Also had a Revo map put on while Ghost was fitted and caused no issues there either.
 
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CarbonMike said:
Not true.

Ive had a ghost on mine for about 1 1/2 years.

Only problem ive ever had with anything aftermarket vs main dealer was previous owners hands free wiring intergrated badly into the radio pack. Had to remove this before Audi would do heater element recall.

The Ghost system was fitted at this time and caused no issue! Hell there techs didnt even pick up that the battery level sensor cable was unplugged to render stop/start inoperable (By choice).

Also had a Revo map put on while Ghost was fitted and caused no issues there either.
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Tell me more about the battery level sensor cable please!
 
Good the know, I just had a vague recollection of a post. Guess my memory is not up to par, it’s an age thing
 
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Jeff, I'll wait for your report before I go ahead with mine.
 
RyanJonS4 said:
Tell me more about the battery level sensor cable please!
Click to expand...

Owned car since Jan 2018 and the stop/start has (thankfully!) never worked.

Was having some work done on the car and the garage call me up and ask me if Im aware the battery level sensor has been unplugged as that would cause the stop start to be permenantly inoperable. Who knew lol.

I didnt even know it was a thing but apparently if the CANBUS cant read the battery power level the stop start system wont work, which would make complete sense thinking about.
 
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CarbonMike said:
Owned car since Jan 2018 and the stop/start has (thankfully!) never worked.
I didnt even know it was a thing but apparently if the CANBUS cant read the battery power level the stop start system wont work, which would make complete sense thinking about.
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Similar to my Company Van.
I disconnected the seatbelt warning sensor [in the belt buckle socket] and this disabled the stop/start too.
 
jdp1962 said:
Great; I'm your gatekeeper!? :grinning:
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Yes. But in addition although I love my car I still have over 6 months of my vehicle replacement GAP insurance. So in theory (hard not to be cynical about insurance companies) if my car is stolen and not recovered I should get up to £50K (I am guessing that when I say that Audi don't sell a petrol S5 sportback any more I ought to get a cash option instead). That money will go a long way to easing my distress at the theft!
 
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True that ^^^^^^

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
Keef said:
Good the know, I just had a vague recollection of a post. Guess my memory is not up to par, it’s an age thing
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You're not imagining it. I read that post too. Off to try and find it. :)
 
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To be fair I think its a lot to expect that an automotive technician should be skilled at both the traditional mechanics and also the sophisticated electronics that exist on modern cars. I can't blame a tech who probably started out as a mechanic from jumping at the conclusion that a 3rd party CAN device could be to blame. If dealers don't already have specialists then they will need to as they move towards all electric cars.

I guess I missed that thread the first time around. If I hadn't I would have answered "of course it can invalidate the warranty". I would say that the OP was rather fortunate that the dealer agreed to persist in investigating as they would have been in their rights to refuse or charge for it.
 
Update!

Not only is the Autowatch Ghost being installed next week. I've just ordered the following items to be retrofitted at the same time. :)

Carplay and reversing camera.

I know these items can be obtained at lower prices from AliExpress and the like, but I prefer the security snd support of having a UK -based supplier I can talk to directly if there are niggles. My installer feels very much the same way.
 
jdp1962 said:
Update!

Not only is the Autowatch Ghost being installed next week. I've just ordered the following items to be retrofitted at the same time. :)

Carplay and reversing camera.

I know these items can be obtained at lower prices from AliExpress and the like, but I prefer the security snd support of having a UK -based supplier I can talk to directly if there are niggles. My installer feels very much the same way.
Click to expand...

I used Unique AD for my non-MMI carplay kit and they were great, good support available if you have any issues. I had an issue where it froze randomly and the only way to revive it was to stop the car, they send me a firmware update and it sorted the issue. That kit now lives in my girlfriends A5 and still works great.

I’d have used them for CarPlay in my new (MMI 3G) car too if they offered a touchscreen kit but that was a dealbreaker for me so I’ve gone down the android screen replacement route.
 
AndrewW said:
I used Unique AD for my non-MMI carplay kit and they were great, good support available if you have any issues. I had an issue where it froze randomly and the only way to revive it was to stop the car, they send me a firmware update and it sorted the issue. That kit now lives in my girlfriends A5 and still works great.

I’d have used them for CarPlay in my new (MMI 3G) car too if they offered a touchscreen kit but that was a dealbreaker for me so I’ve gone down the android screen replacement route.
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You’ve got me puzzled there, @AndrewW . According to the product description I read today, all MMI versions use the MMI controls and/or the supplied touch screen.
 
jdp1962 said:
You’ve got me puzzled there, @AndrewW . According to the product description I read today, all MMI versions use the MMI controls and/or the supplied touch screen.
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So it does, you’re right!

last time I enquired there wasn’t a touchscreen overlay for the larger MMI screen but that must be available now. Apologies for the panic
 
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It must be a fairly recent thing as it was just after I got my current S4 (mid August) I checked and it was MMI controls only.

Their ebay ads also still seem to suggest its MMI controls only so looks like they haven’t updated them yet, but their website is clear as day. May have to re-think my android unit now!
 
AndrewW said:
It must be a fairly recent thing as it was just after I got my current S4 (mid August) I checked and it was MMI controls only.

Their ebay ads also still seem to suggest its MMI controls only so looks like they haven’t updated them yet, but their website is clear as day. May have to re-think my android unit now!
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@AndrewW , I've not unwrapped the unit yet, but from looking at it through the protective wrap and reading the instructions, it seems it has two USB inputs; one I'm assuming is to provide power to the phone, the other for firmware updates. If that's right, how did you locate the lead for firmware updates? Surely that would need to be routed and postioned so that's the port is accessible without having to tear down the dash?
 
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jdp1962 said:
@AndrewW , I've not unwrapped the unit yet, but from looking at it through the protective wrap and reading the instructions, it seems it has two USB inputs; one I'm assuming is to provide power to the phone, the other for firmware updates. If that's right, how did you locate the lead for firmware updates? Surely that would need to be routed and postioned so that's the port is accessible without having to tear down the dash?
Click to expand...

I ordered a 2m one of these: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/232270424055

And extended them through to the cubby hole under the arm rest.
I’ve just ordered the same thing thing again for my android unit.
 
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Installation of the Ghost and the CarPlay unit is underway at Bromley Car Audio: fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and to schedule. Yesterday’s delays at Maidstone Audi were such a ball ache.
 
jdp1962 said:
Installation of the Ghost and the CarPlay unit is underway at Bromley Car Audio: fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and to schedule. Yesterday’s delays at Maidstone Audi were such a ball ache.
Click to expand...
Great stuff, look forward to your thoughts on the CarPlay system!
 
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AndrewW said:
Great stuff, look forward to your thoughts on the CarPlay system!
Click to expand...
Yup; will do that, but let me have a few days to explore and get used to it. :)

What I can say is that despite what the ad said, the supplied touchscreen overlay didn't seem to want to come out and play on the MMI 3G High. So we left it out of the installation and I'm using the MMI controls, which is OK for me anyway.
 
I don't like the idea of touchscreen controls whilst driving and I would have thought that being set further back than most OE touchscreens would be, it would be more distracting to have to touch the MMI screen?

When I look at the screen on my wife's Qasqhai I just see all the fingerprints...
 
Also Jeff, are you getting any insurance discount for the Ghost?
 
Dippy said:
I don't like the idea of touchscreen controls whilst driving and I would have thought that being set further back than most OE touchscreens would be, it would be more distracting to have to touch the MMI screen?

When I look at the screen on my wife's Qasqhai I just see all the fingerprints...
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Yeah it’s a good point but I guess it’s just what you’re used to. To me moving the MMI wheel around to move the selection on the screen takes longer and more concentration compared to a touch, but my last few cars have all been the same.

you’re right about the finger prints though, the new gloss screen I’ve fitted needs to be wiped every day otherwise it looks horrendous
 
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