RNS 510 CAN communication fault repair

In RNS 510 / RNS 810 models made by Siemens VDO / Continental, one of the common faults is a damaged CAN bus..

Get a repair quoteHow to send the unit

Photo from the OEMatic workshop - car electronics repair

From our observations, lack of CAN connection in the RNS 510 affects most units in this series. Problems such as not switching off with the key, no steering wheel control, and buttons not lighting up are typical symptoms of this fault. Today we will show you how to confirm this problem and what to do to enjoy fully working navigation again.

Typical fault symptoms

To make diagnosis easier and save time, we have collected the most characteristic symptoms of this fault. Compare the problems below with how your unit works; if most of them match, your navigation unit has a damaged CAN bus:

  • the navigation unit does not switch off when the key is removed, and does not switch on when the key is inserted (ignition logic does not work),
  • after turning the key, the buttons on the front panel do not illuminate,
  • the multifunction steering wheel controls do not work (you cannot turn the music up or down, skip tracks or change radio stations),
  • there is no navigation item on the MFD display,
  • the parking sensors do not work,
  • the unit switches off after an hour (even if the ignition is on),
  • there is no connection using the diagnostic interface

 

No CAN communication via OBD2

A similarly quick and reliable way to check is to connect a diagnostic computer to the socket in the car. The RNS 510 is always found under #37 (Navigation).

The fault prevents a proper connection to the control unit:

CAN fault RNS510 1

If the radio is working properly, communication is established immediately:

CAN connection problem in RNS 510

In our workshop, we verify a correctly carried out repair exactly this way – using the VCDS interface.

How long does the repair take?

Normally we need 1-2 working days to carry out the service, but it is also possible, if arranged for a specific day and time, to repair your unit on site. We can also remove and refit it in the car.

Repaired CAN in RNS510 1

Tomasz Mazurkiewicz is the founder and owner of the OEMatic brand – a workshop specialising in repairing factory car radios, navigation systems and amplifiers. For over 15 years he has worked on OEM electronics, combining day-to-day workshop work in Sochaczew with mail-in service for customers across Poland.

In his published texts, he draws on real jobs – from identifying faults in audio modules and displays, through CAN bus diagnostics, to restoring security codes and soldering SMD components. He writes the way he speaks to customers: directly and with an emphasis on what actually works. Every article on oematic.pl is based on his own experience gained with factory car electronics.


More posts by this author