Post Description

Volkswagen RNS 510 Firmware Upgrade to version 3970 / 3974 / 3976 / 3978
Version 3970/3974/3976/3978 firmware for the Volkswagen RNS 510 and the Skoda Columbus has been released. Confirmed BETA firmware.

Voice Control (requires microphone - see Volkswagen RNS 510 Microphone Connection for voice control)
NEW hold down the setup button for 30 seconds and get the following menus: FM, AM and the new VERSION INFO (map version and type, hw and sw versions)
NEW Compass
NEW POI- see Volkswagen RNS 510 Maps POI - New Features with firmware 3xxx
NEW Languages - Arabic,  Russian, Turkish and Polish
Speed Limit Display
Stability Improvements
Faster Startup (this has been improved on 2720)
Display OPS and RVC at the same time
SDHC 32 GB Support (HW04 and above)
Display Off on extras tab
Climatronic control if approriate climatronic fitted
Clock display if RNS 510 swtiched off
Excluded roads (under route options)
GPS coordinates entry
Additional adjustments for video
Larger RVC screen with transparent menus at the side
Units that can be upgraded include (still being compiled may not be 100%)

All D and later versions.
1T0 035 680 C (1T0035680 C) from software version 1000, 800,  900, 1100 , 2660 and 2700 to version 3810.
3T0 035 680 A (3T0035680A) to version 2704.
7F0 035 680 (7F0035680) to version 2700.
7E0 035 680 (7E0035680) to version 2700.
Revision A, B and C units can be upgraded however there are issues.
Revision A, B and C revision units

These units will become SW revision D after the upgrade however when coding the unit using VCDS you will receive the error
"Coding Rejected, Error 31: Request Out of Range"
Before saving the new coding manually add a 10th byte (00) at the end before pressing "Do It" as per the example below

9 byte coding (A/B/C SW revisions):
020104000400001100

10 byte coding (D SW revision):
02010400040000110000

Downloading:

you will have a NRG format ISO file to burn. Using Nero burn a DVD+RW or DVD-R (CDR works as well) at a slow speed (4 x is ok for DVD and 16 x for CD). Make sure you use quality media (Verbatim?) and keep the burn speed down as low as you can to ensure there are no problems during the installation process. Also note that you may need to edit a file before you burn it (see below) if you want to access the setup menu without Vagcom/VCDS.

Warning! This upgrade will not create the new partitions required for the new POI system if you upgrade from 1xxx/2xxx. Upgrading from 3800-3910 is required so the new partitions are created.

Warning! 7L6 Touareg RNS 510's are no longer supported since version 3870 due to the Touareg being fitted with the RNS 850. Version 1200 was the last version factory loaded on the 7L6 units with a hardware revision B.

Warning! There is a remote chance of you 'bricking' the unit, this is a fraction of a percent but it could happen! The process takes around 60 minutes.'

Warning! There are a small number of users where the RNS 510 does not know where it is after it's been powered on, details of the previous location are kept in the unit but at this stage there is no pattern to this problem.
I have wrecked one C version!

Warning! There are a small number of users where the RNS 510 display has a dim backlight after upgrading. See the post "Volkswagen RNS 510 Backlight Dim after upgrading Firmware" for more details.

Warning! Users with cars MY07 and earlier may experience power drain issues after the upgrade. See the post "Upgrading 2nd generation radios (RCD 300, RCD 500) to 3rd generation (RCD 210, RCD 310, RNS 310, RCD 510) power drain issue" for more details.

Warning! Users with the Skoda UHV bluetooth 1Z0 035 729 B (1Z0035729B) may want to delay upgrading the firmware, there is an issue with the RNS 510 no longer displaying the phone book and/or the call details but signal strength etc are visible for some phones. My HTC Diamond for example worked fine before the update but only partially afterwards however my Iphone 3G worked fine before and after. This is not a problem with the 1Z0 035 729 D (1Z0035729D) Skoda UHV bluetooth kit. The MFD functions as per normal with phone book and last calls listed correctly. Android 2.1 phones work fine with the update.

Note! - Test/Setup Mode. The firmware can allow access to enter test/setup mode without Vagcom/VCDS access see Accessing the Setup Menu on the RNS 510 head units with firmware later than 1100. The procedure for entering the test/setup mode for those with Vagcom/VCDS is slightly different as well. To enter the test/setup mode when the RNS 510 is operating press and hold the setup button, keep holding it when the radio menu appears and shortly after the test menu appears . I had to reboot my unit after coding it but it may be possible a power cycle is enough.

Note! - Failure (Gateway Error 202) - You can downgrade back to 1100 by inserting the 1100 firmware and rebooting the RNS 510 (Setup + eject + info).

Steps to load firmware:

Unlock and/or open the car
Do not start the car and do not insert the key in the ignition
Turn the RNS 510 on and insert the firmware CD/DVD into the drive
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Just for people who know how to recover when the system doesnt start-up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check the link for system crash reports, they can occur!!!!!!!!!!!=muchos dineros!!!!!!!!!!
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Questions: I'll check this post but advice you to check the link for faq and troubles.
Reports here with burningsetups (burner-burnerfirmware-burnersoftware-diskbrand and OS combined) will not only help your fellow RNS owner, but are the most useful and highly appriciated by me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Credits to the original designer