Review: R340G head-unit in my Polo GT TSI

thevwguy · 8th October 2018, 01:12

Hi folks,
Sorry if I’m hijacking the thread.
I’ve a problem with my RCD340G in the 2018 Vento and just wondering if anyone else has faced this issue? Please do let me know if you have any pointers.

1) I do have the same echo issue with android phones and I think this is specific to Android phones on these new head units.

2) My BIL has the 2016 Vento TSI with the RCD 330G and the sound output is much better in the old gen when compared to the 340G. Iniatially I thought this was because my car was new and the speakers needed to “break in” but that wasn’t the case. It lacks the soundstage and bass punch which may be due to the heavy UI. I’m a part time audiofool (pun intended). This may not be noticeable by all or could be cuz my unit is faulty given the below problem as well.

3) My HU goes into a weird state. The backlight for the buttons if you notice, has only an on/off state controlled by the headlights knob on the right. However while playing music, the backlight goes into a ‘dim’ state which is neither on or off. This happens like 2 out of 5 days and when it does, only the Apps like Android auto and car play work. The Bluetooth does not and when I try to connect via BT says “Please turn on ignition for Bluetooth pairing” even if the car is running. I need to hard reset the device by pressing both knobs simultaneously at least 3-4 times for the dim lights to disappear.

The worrying fact is, sometimes, the dim lights turn on automatically when I unlock and lock the car in a standstill

and it freaks me out that it would drain out the batteries. I’ve attached an image of this as well. See the immobiliser light as well which is on meaning that the car is locked.

Any thoughts from the veterans here please or anyone else facing this issue?

Gannu_1 · 13th August 2019, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by prabhuferrari

Am facing a very strange issue with this Head unit just on Android auto. When I make a phone call people at the other end complain of echo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by niteshbids

I'm facing the same issue in my car. Have you found a solution to this problem? Or does anyone else have any info on this issue? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevwguy

I’ve a problem with my RCD340G in the 2018 Vento and just wondering if anyone else has faced this issue? Please do let me know if you have any pointers.

1) I do have the same echo issue with android phones and I think this is specific to Android phones on these new head units.

To resolve the echoing issue, first, turn on the bluetooth on the system and then connect the USB cable to the phone to enable Android Auto. Right now, this seems to be the only workaround and I can confirm that this definitely works.

Thought of dropping this note here just in case someone refers to this problem in the future.

Gannu_1 · 19th August 2019, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Right now, this seems to be the only workaround and I can confirm that this definitely works.

Update: Nope, not the most effective workaround. The echo persists after I did something - using the Google Assistant or something, not sure.

But, I was fiddling around and found something better that works! But there's a catch - Google Assistant won't work nor can you use the voice based commands through Android Auto i.e. either by pressing the voice command button on the steering of the car to bring up the Google Assistant or by saying "Hey Google". But I figure this may not be a big deal for most of us since all we need is the Google Maps integration on the HU without the smartphone stuck on the windshield, yeah?

With this workaround, the mic input is disabled from Android Auto and therefore, there's no echoing issue. Plus, no order of plugging in the USB cable or turning on the Bluetooth with this method.

From your phone, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone > Disable Android Auto using the slider bar. You're set!

You'll see this under the Android Auto settings once the mic is disabled:

Review: R340G head-unit in my Polo GT TSI-screenshot_20190819214456.png

Guaranteed, no echoing.

JoshMachine · 2nd January 2020, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by genopv

We took the delivery of a Polo GT Tsi on 1st Sep 2017. This came with a brand new head unit - R340G (PQ).
The manual which came along mentions this system to be R340G (PQ)

Hey there, many thanks for the detailed write-up!
By any chance, do you have / know where to source the digital copy / .PDF of the manual?

thevwguy · 24th March 2023, 07:44

Delayed update - the issue I’ve mentioned above looks like a manufacturing defect. Got the BCM module and the HU replaced under warranty. Thankfully, I had take the add-on warranty. The quote given without warranty was 90k. I normally don’t let things slide but I made the mistake of cutting my losses and living with it. Lesson learnt: don’t let tiny niggles slide.

8th October 2018, 01:12	#46
thevwguy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chennai Posts: 25 Thanked: 16 Times	Re: Review: R340G head-unit in my Polo GT TSI Hi folks, Sorry if I’m hijacking the thread. I’ve a problem with my RCD340G in the 2018 Vento and just wondering if anyone else has faced this issue? Please do let me know if you have any pointers. 1) I do have the same echo issue with android phones and I think this is specific to Android phones on these new head units. 2) My BIL has the 2016 Vento TSI with the RCD 330G and the sound output is much better in the old gen when compared to the 340G. Iniatially I thought this was because my car was new and the speakers needed to “break in” but that wasn’t the case. It lacks the soundstage and bass punch which may be due to the heavy UI. I’m a part time audiofool (pun intended). This may not be noticeable by all or could be cuz my unit is faulty given the below problem as well. 3) My HU goes into a weird state. The backlight for the buttons if you notice, has only an on/off state controlled by the headlights knob on the right. However while playing music, the backlight goes into a ‘dim’ state which is neither on or off. This happens like 2 out of 5 days and when it does, only the Apps like Android auto and car play work. The Bluetooth does not and when I try to connect via BT says “Please turn on ignition for Bluetooth pairing” even if the car is running. I need to hard reset the device by pressing both knobs simultaneously at least 3-4 times for the dim lights to disappear. The worrying fact is, sometimes, the dim lights turn on automatically when I unlock and lock the car in a standstill and it freaks me out that it would drain out the batteries. I’ve attached an image of this as well. See the immobiliser light as well which is on meaning that the car is locked. Any thoughts from the veterans here please or anyone else facing this issue? Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

24th March 2023, 07:44	#50
thevwguy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chennai Posts: 25 Thanked: 16 Times	Re: Review: R340G head-unit in my Polo GT TSI Delayed update - the issue I’ve mentioned above looks like a manufacturing defect. Got the BCM module and the HU replaced under warranty. Thankfully, I had take the add-on warranty. The quote given without warranty was 90k. I normally don’t let things slide but I made the mistake of cutting my losses and living with it. Lesson learnt: don’t let tiny niggles slide.
	() Thanks