HowTo: Install GROM Audio VLine VL2 (NIS9VL2) Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Interface (2011+ Infiniti M/Q70)

[Brian35XR]

We have the next group order, starting March 9th. If you would like to join, send us the pm with your email address and name, and we will add you to the list. You can also contact us via the web form at https://gromaudio.com/support.html

After all of my previous issues with the VLine unit, I want to warn people against downloading the v60 firmware upgrade released this morning, it BRICKED my unit & factory car system.

Back in 2020 GROM had an issue where they released a corrupt/incomplete firmware update (v28) which borked the video output from the VLine (showed all WHITE or random colors) while audio still worked. It was fixed by GROM releasing v29 which bricked users had to manually install using a flash drive.. there were many posts here at the time.

Well this morning after downloading v60 I rebooted to a BLACK screen, but not just with the VLINE... with my car's entire system. This means every visual aspect of my car does not work - Ex: Backup cam, factory radio, A/C controls, tire pressure, etc... My HVAC buttons are no longer functional nor do they light up. Additionally my A/C turns on full blast which is typical when Infiniti's detect fault to the factory infotainment system.

If I unplug the main wire harness of the VLine and plug it back in, for a split second the factory screen and lights come on and say "No USB Memory..." while it loads the VLine, but as soon as VLine loads everything goes BLACK in an instant.

I opened a ticket with GROM regarding this but caution people against downloading the v60 firmware update in the meantime until this is resolved.

[Yoda's Master]

We have the next group order, starting March 9th. If you would like to join, send us the pm with your email address and name, and we will add you to the list. You can also contact us via the web form at https://gromaudio.com/support.html

After all of my previous issues with the VLine unit, I want to warn people against downloading the v60 firmware upgrade released this morning, it BRICKED my unit & factory car system.

Back in 2020 GROM had an issue where they released a corrupt/incomplete firmware update (v28) which borked the video output from the VLine (showed all WHITE or random colors) while audio still worked. It was fixed by GROM releasing v29 which bricked users had to manually install using a flash drive.. there were many posts here at the time.

Well this morning after downloading v60 I rebooted to a BLACK screen, but not just with the VLINE... with my car's entire system. This means every visual aspect of my car does not work - Ex: Backup cam, factory radio, A/C controls, tire pressure, etc... My HVAC buttons are no longer functional nor do they light up. Additionally my A/C turns on full blast which is typical when Infiniti's detect fault to the factory infotainment system.

If I unplug the main wire harness of the VLine and plug it back in, for a split second the factory screen and lights come on and say "No USB Memory..." while it loads the VLine, but as soon as VLine loads everything goes BLACK in an instant.

I opened a ticket with GROM regarding this but caution people against downloading the v60 firmware update in the meantime until this is resolved.

Good luck, hope they help. They completely blew me off when i opened a ticket saying they're system broke my headunit.

[Ilya]

I have good luck with their support, specifically Heath. This happened to our QX60 with the VLite system on our way back from Miami - boringest 4hr drive ever! But I still think GROM Audio is the best bang for the buck and AA/CarPlay solution.

[Yoda's Master]

I have good luck with their support, specifically Heath. This happened to our QX60 with the VLite system on our way back from Miami - boringest 4hr drive ever! But I still think GROM Audio is the best bang for the buck and AA/CarPlay solution.

but did they have to pay for anything? I think it's a different story if they break your car and don't want to pay to repair it.

[Ilya]

I have good luck with their support, specifically Heath. This happened to our QX60 with the VLite system on our way back from Miami - boringest 4hr drive ever! But I still think GROM Audio is the best bang for the buck and AA/CarPlay solution.

but did they have to pay for anything? I think it's a different story if they break your car and don't want to pay to repair it.

I've had a few firmware issues over the years with some of their releases but it's never damaged either one of my cars, so can't speak to that.

[Brian35XR]

I worked with Sean at GROM; he sent me v53 firmware which I loaded on a flash drive and was able to auto-install via USB. Happy to say my issue is fixed.. all functions of my car now work again.Oddly this issue also caused my dashboard BRAKE light to illuminate which I had no idea the VLine could affect, but after the update the BRAKE light is off.

I attached the file for our cars to this post if anyone else has this issue. It has to be renamed to "gromvl1.hex" and placed onto a formatted FAT32 flash drive. Unplug everything on the VLine, Insert flash drive into USB2 and wait 15 secs, plug 20-pin harness and wait 15 secs, then plug everything else in and start car.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Looks like Grom is finally moving to Android 12

[Brian35XR]

Looks like Grom is finally moving to Android 12

Yup, for $35 lol ($25 before June 30th).

I remember the upgrade to Android 8 was free. Ah well, you know i already pre-ordered even if just for more polished Android menus.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Seems like everything nowadays is a money grab lol. About to pre-order mine as well.

[Ilya]

I'm okay with the approach...it's a cheap upgrade. It's no different than Google making you buy a new Pixel by stopping updates for old phones - kind of. You need a Pixel 5 or 6 to still get updates (which is hundreds of dollars) where as if you have Pixel 4 or older you're outa luck.

I wish they would have going to A13 or A14 instead of 2yr old A12 (nearly 3 year old actually)...but I'm lookin forward to not being on 8.1 anymore.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

I'm okay with the approach...it's a cheap upgrade. It's no different than Google making you buy a new Pixel by stopping updates for old phones - kind of. You need a Pixel 5 or 6 to still get updates (which is hundreds of dollars) where as if you have Pixel 4 or older you're outa luck.

I wish they would have going to A13 or A14 instead of 2yr old A12 (nearly 3 year old actually)...but I'm lookin forward to not being on 8.1 anymore.

For sure cheaper. I'll take it a step further and say it's still cheaper than what Infiniti was charging for their map updates lol. I agree for all long as this has been it would've been nice for them to have incorporated A13 or 14

[Ilya]

I'm okay with the approach...it's a cheap upgrade. It's no different than Google making you buy a new Pixel by stopping updates for old phones - kind of. You need a Pixel 5 or 6 to still get updates (which is hundreds of dollars) where as if you have Pixel 4 or older you're outa luck.

I wish they would have going to A13 or A14 instead of 2yr old A12 (nearly 3 year old actually)...but I'm lookin forward to not being on 8.1 anymore.

For sure cheaper. I'll take it a step further and say it's still cheaper than what Infiniti was charging for their map updates lol. I agree for all long as this has been it would've been nice for them to have incorporated A13 or 14

Yeah hah, those map updates were like $170 for just some POI stuff lol.

[Big_Tone]

Sadly the update is only for VLine, VLite isn't included. I wonder if the lite will get it later?

[Ilya]

Sadly the update is only for VLine, VLite isn't included. I wonder if the lite will get it later?

I doubt they will update the VLite in any way. VLite doesn't need an update as it runs just Android Auto or Car Play, not a full standalone Android system in the sense that it needs to be managed, can install apps, etc. Whatever version of apps are on your phone is the version that VLite streams to the screen.

[Big_Tone]

Sadly the update is only for VLine, VLite isn't included. I wonder if the lite will get it later?

I doubt they will update the VLite in any way. VLite doesn't need an update as it runs just Android Auto or Car Play, not a full standalone Android system in the sense that it needs to be managed, can install apps, etc. Whatever version of apps are on your phone is the version that VLite streams to the screen.

Makes sense. I was hoping there would be an update of some sort that would allow additional apps to be installed or to improve stability.

[Ilya]

The release has been delayed to July 2nd.

[emm3seven]

Anyone know if the preorder discount is going to be extended? I’d hoped to get some early adopter feedback before biting.

[Ilya]

Anyone know if the preorder discount is going to be extended? I’d hoped to get some early adopter feedback before biting.

Their email or pricing page doesn't state when it expires.

[Brian35XR]

For me the email and website still indicate the sale will end on June 30th.

I don't think you're gonna get much feedback even after release unfortunately since except for a few specific scenarios, 99% of the change is just that the factory Android menus will look slightly different, and some Android apps do have a minimum Android version they will run on.

I purchased it knowing full well the functionality of the VLine is not going to improve, hell it may even be detrimental with the introduction of new bugs or increased system requirements. If this is a deal breaker I recommend waiting over saving $10... GROM will not be providing a way to rollback.

[Ilya]

I would imagine A12 might perform better on the hardware that the VLine has compared to A8. That's 4 versions of Android newer. In theory. They optimized it a lot over the year...but yeah, it's a bit laggy now and this is why I personally prefer and advocate for the VLite over the VLine. I don't need standalone apps (except for maybe Torque). All I need is Android Auto.

[Ilya]

Update is downloading as I type this! Finally the day has arrived!

[Bonkle]

Update is downloading as I type this! Finally the day has arrived!

They finally added Android 12? I need to go update mine now lol.

[Ilya]

Be warned, this is a factory reset. You will lose your apps and such so make sure you have a backup and all of your account credentials.

[emm3seven]

Thanks, going to tackle this in next day or so. Do we still have to install GApps separately to get the Play Store?

[DoN_BLaZe34]

@Ilya any immediate reactions to the updates? I haven't done mine yet

[Ilya]

The verdict so far is avoid updating.

First impression is WOW THIS THING IS SNAPPY. Typing text is literally instant now where as before there was a half-second delay between pushing a letter and it entering into the system.

BUT...

Immediately after booting into Android 12 - which BTW is a full factory reset and not an OTA as advertised - I cannot connect to any WiFi network. Not my home network, not my segregated IoT network at home nor my phones hotspot. None of them connect.

So, it's effectively a paper weight. BUT, if they can fix the WiFi issue, this thing may be amazing. It's SERIOUSLY snappy from what limited time I've had with it.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Ugh that's a bummer. Has Grom weighed in yet?

[Ilya]

I've just sent them the logs like an hour ago - hopefully they can find the issue.

[Bonkle]

Appreciate the warning, definitely going to wait until you get word back from Grom. I'm excited to try it, and I won't mind the reset since I only use android auto anyway, but I would like to use Spotify natively. It's just too slow on 8.

[Brian35XR]

Anyone else upgrade besides Ilya yet and want to comment on whether they're having issues or not?

I'm hesitant to press the button since I'm taking a weekend trip to the Cape tomorrow and won't be able to deal with a WiFi-less car the whole way.