So, your 1st gen InTouch system is acting up. I've been getting a ton of questions about how to fix various issues with these things, so I figured that I would make a thread for treating common issues. I should note however that this does not cover everything. I cover the common failures here, and the options for repair/replacement.
Common Problems
I want to make a distinction between the two types of storage we are using here. They are very different from each other and are stored in different places.
Solutions
Dealership
If you are still within warranty, just take it to the dealership. This is the easiest solution out of all of them. If you pressed the reset button, don't mention that part.
Configuration Table Issues
Unfortunately, the only solution as of yet for changing the configuration is paying to have the DCU reconfigured by a dealer using CONSULT. Do not let the dealer talk you into replacing the DCU like many have.
If anyone out there has a CONSULT and wouldn't mind letting me reverse engineer the CAN signals it sends to the car, I could build an open-source configuration tool to save Q owners thousands.
System Boot Drive Failure
Should you suspect a system boot drive failure, you have a couple of options before having to pay for a replacement + programming from the dealer.
1. Replace the SD card with a factory image:
The first attempt to fix a boot drive issue is to flash the correct size of SD card with a new one. To do this, you will need to flash the SD card using a tool like balenaEtcher. Pick an image from the repository below (constantly being updated, more images welcome). Once you have flashed it, install it in the DCU using the following steps:
If the image does not work, hop on eBay and search for a DCU (also called "upper screen", "head unit", "radio", "infotainment", and a variety of other names) from any Q50/Q60 with the same year range (14-15 or 15-19). These will typically have the donor vehicle VIN and options. Try to find one that is as close to your vehicle's technology options as possible. You can also call a dealer to ask what options are on the donor VIN and your VIN. These options are typically very similar within trims. I have gotten one as cheap as $70 before. Just shop around.
The key options to look out for are:
Following all of this, it might be better to look into other systems than the original one. You have a few options:
That's it for now! Feel free to ask questions here. It's getting hard for me to juggle the dozens of people reaching out to me for help.
Common Problems
- Configuration Table Invalid: this is typically the byproduct of installing a DCU purchased from a donor Q, and results in issues specifically relating to accurate configuration of BOSE/Around View Monitor/etc.
- Configuration Table Reset: this is the result of pressing the reset button in the diagnostic menu without looking up what it does, and results in symptoms such as no clock/no drive mode selector/no audio/etc.
- System Boot Drive Failure: this is a more rare occurrence, but I suspect it will start happening more often for 2014/2015 given the lifespan of these older SD cards. The boot drive on the DCU is an SD card (2014/2015) or a microSD card (2016+). This can cause a "loading all apps" issue, or failure to boot.
I want to make a distinction between the two types of storage we are using here. They are very different from each other and are stored in different places.
Configuration Table The configuration table is stored in a chip on the DCU. It is unable to be transferred or otherwise changed without CONSULT. For all intents and purposes, it is part of the DCU motherboard. | Boot Drive The boot drive is the microSD card (or SD for 14-15) that stores the operating system and Android subsystem for the infotainment system. This is located on a card slot inside the DCU. Card failures can occur after a long time - specifically on the Android partition since it is not read-only. |
Solutions
Dealership
If you are still within warranty, just take it to the dealership. This is the easiest solution out of all of them. If you pressed the reset button, don't mention that part.
Configuration Table Issues
Unfortunately, the only solution as of yet for changing the configuration is paying to have the DCU reconfigured by a dealer using CONSULT. Do not let the dealer talk you into replacing the DCU like many have.
If anyone out there has a CONSULT and wouldn't mind letting me reverse engineer the CAN signals it sends to the car, I could build an open-source configuration tool to save Q owners thousands.
System Boot Drive Failure
Should you suspect a system boot drive failure, you have a couple of options before having to pay for a replacement + programming from the dealer.
1. Replace the SD card with a factory image:
The first attempt to fix a boot drive issue is to flash the correct size of SD card with a new one. To do this, you will need to flash the SD card using a tool like balenaEtcher. Pick an image from the repository below (constantly being updated, more images welcome). Once you have flashed it, install it in the DCU using the following steps:
| Image Database: |
- Remove the DCU and open the case. If you don't know how, follow along with this video the DCU is open.
- Replace the SD card on the board. It is a bit tricky because the card needs to be installed upside down. It will not slide all the way in the wrong way.
- Reassemble the DCU
- Install the DCU into the car
- Test (before reinstalling all of your trim pieces)
- Reinstall interior components
If the image does not work, hop on eBay and search for a DCU (also called "upper screen", "head unit", "radio", "infotainment", and a variety of other names) from any Q50/Q60 with the same year range (14-15 or 15-19). These will typically have the donor vehicle VIN and options. Try to find one that is as close to your vehicle's technology options as possible. You can also call a dealer to ask what options are on the donor VIN and your VIN. These options are typically very similar within trims. I have gotten one as cheap as $70 before. Just shop around.
The key options to look out for are:
- BOSE Audio
- Around-view Monitor
- Intelligent Cruise Control/DAS
- Navigation/Non-nav
- Year (aside from the ranges mentioned earlier)
- Color
- Engine
- Your significant other telling you to stop buying parts for your car
- Install the SD card and reassemble the DCU
- Test the DCU functions as expected
- Remove the old users and all phonebook data
- After wiping it of the previous owners personal details, take the DCU back out
- Remove the SD card and take an image of it. You can google how to do this or reach out to me.
- Reinstall the SD card and put it in the car
- Contact me to share the DCU SD image with me so others can use it in the database
Following all of this, it might be better to look into other systems than the original one. You have a few options:
- If you have the loading apps issue but you can still play audio via aux: consider a Tesla screen or CarPlay module. A few notes:
- Don't get any older Tesla screens. If you really want one, the mk6 is the first decent one I have seen. No idea on quality though. Also interface doesn't feel remotely OEM and the buttons are a separate font/color from the rest of the car.
- I am not historically a fan of either, as I like OEM implementations, I consider some of the technical workarounds with the Tesla/CarPlay modules to be a bit sloppy, and you never know what you are getting quality-wise. That said, it can typically be a cheap workaround/upgrade.
- Consider a kit I am working on. I am in the final stages of my retrofit kit which allows installation of a 2020+ OEM infotainment system w/wireless CarPlay & Android Auto into a pre-2019 Q. Currently I am tackling a couple of final things (USB harness, CONSULT response emulation, and a real settings interface), but I have been using it for months without issue.
That's it for now! Feel free to ask questions here. It's getting hard for me to juggle the dozens of people reaching out to me for help.
