UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

JDX98 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:37 pm Thanks Dink for the reply.

What needs to be displayed as the option, MirrorLink?

How easy is it to change the hardware to one that is compatible and rough cost.

Thanks again

JaegerStriker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:58 pm so atm it seems that app connect gets linked to the vin number. since 2015 polos apparently never came with it as an option then it wont work regardless of swapping out the main unit (glovebox)

still waiting for a reply from vw app connect support germany

bzzzracing wrote: ↑Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:11 pm This week I have been fitting a new Head Unit to my 2015 Polo in order to get the App Connect menu option and connect my iPhone to get Apple Car Play so I can use Google Maps & Spotify.

My Polo was registered 31-3-2015
Has Composition Media (820A) and multi-function steering wheel. Display has Mute Button bottom left hand corner but steering wheel has a Voice button as well as the usual volume and track buttons. It also has a USB port in front of the gear stick.

Worked out that I needed 3Q0035842B which I bought from VW Main Dealer (it was made by Delphi) which they had taken out of a 2017 Tiguan that they had upgraded to NAV. They said it would need de-coding but no mention of whether they had changed it to a 'Virgin' component.

Last night I removed the old Head Unit from the Glovebox and swapped it for the 842B. I then switched the Display on and it worked. I then connected my iPhone via the USB socket and it recognised the phone and activated Apple Car Play. All the Apps worked as expected (Spotify, Messages, Google Maps). All the buttons worked on the steering wheel including Voice Control, volume, skips tracks etc.. All going smoothly.

After 10 minutes the Display then when into Component Protection Mode which was what I expected. I'm also expecting to have to pay for the privilege of activating App Connect which is Part Number 5G0054830A (CIRCA £200 and requires the VW to register something on the VW Server against the Car's VIN. I'm guessing it is just another PR Code (see below)?

Today I went into my Main Dealer to see if they would remove the Component Protection. They said yes and quoted 30 mins. 3.5 hours later they admitted defeat and said that the car kept on throwing error messages which they couldn't clear e.g. ABS Warning Lights, Tyre Pressure Monitor etc. They told me that they spent time on the phone to 'Head Office' but no joy. They told me that the Head Unit is not compatible with my car. Clearly this cannot be true as it worked perfectly for 10 mins and then the sound board was deactivated as expected because of Component Protection kicking in.

I've spoken to a few local experts who say they can remove Component Protection and also 'give it a go' to get everything working.

I'm not wanting to spend another 3 hours with someone giving a go without knowing exactly what they should be doing in the first place. I've looked at the various forums and think it must be something to do with the PR Codes that are associated with the car and sit against the cars VIN Number on a VW Server not being the correct ones for the new head unit to work (software speaking rather than hardware). Anybody know what PR Codes should be added to the car to make the 842B work? My car has the following:

1AZ = Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
CU8 = Alloy wheels 6J x 15
H8D = Tires 185/60 R15 H
4KC = Side and rear windows in heat-insulatingglass
3NC = Rear seat bench/backrest, split folding
2ZH = Leather multi-function steering wheel
Q1A = Standard front seats
J0S = Battery 320A (59Ah)
8K1 = Separate daytime running lights
8M1 = Rear window wiper and washer system with intermittent control
8ID = Halogen twin headlights
U0L = Instrument insert with tachometer clock and mph speedometer
8RL = 6 speakers (passive)
8TD = Rear fog light for driving on the left
I8E = Standard radio (Gen2)
M5F = 4-cylinder gasoline eng. 2.0 L/83 kW w/ activ. charcoal canister, electr. fuel inj., base engine is T5E

If anybody can help me solve this it would be great.

andraski wrote: ↑Sat Oct 06, 2018 10:14 am So let's go to the facts!

My 2015 Polo GTI is an early 2015, so it left the factory before App-Connect was released. In VW words it means my car doesn't have the right head unit and wiring. The truth is that its head unit and USB port are not compatible with App-Connect and its functions (CarPlay and Android Auto).
Just to clarify, the Polo can have various versions of the Composition Media (just radio) or Discover Media (with satellite navigation). Here's a list of all those units:

These are NOT compatible with App-Connect:

- 3Q0 035 820 (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 A (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 B (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 C (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 (Composition Media, can have MirrorLink only)
- 3Q0 035 874 (Discover Media, can have MirrorLink only, it's the one my Polo has)


These units are compatible with App-Connect:

- 3Q0 035 842 A (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 B (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 C (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 A (Discover Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 B (Discover Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 C (Discover Media)

The only way to have App-Connect working on a car fitted with the units that are not compatible with it it's to replace the head unit for one of the ones that are compatible. If it left the factory before App-Connect was released (early 2015) you also have to replace the USB port for a newer compatible version. If you want an upgrade from Composition Media to Discover Media you have to replace the screen unit as well.
The real problem is that VW doesn't do that, for them it's straightforward: if your car left the factory after the release of App-Connect you can have it, otherwise they can't help. They can get you a newer head unit but they will not change the USB port to retrofit App-Connect on you vehicle. The only option is this case is to look for external companies that can do the job.

I got the head unit and the USB port of my Polo replaced for a newer version by Satnat Systems, just outside London, in Surbiton. I totally recommend them since they're very professional and extremely polite. You'll only find good reviews about them, no matter where you look. It's a bit pricey but worth the investment (specially if you have the Composition Media and want satellite navigation).

Hopefully this will be helpful to someone in the future.

Cheers