Q70 2017 Infotainment Center Malfunction

[mklemp]

My infotainment center is malfunctioning.

Sometimes it boots up and functions just fine.

I usually get this simple display of the temperature setting and fan speed. (See Attached Picture)

I've tried disconnecting the battery but no change in the symptoms.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[VStar650CL]

First thing to try is a "hard" reset, disconnect both battery lugs and jump them together for about 5 minutes to completely discharge everything in the car. That display most likely means your A/C Amp, IT switch, and display unit are fine but the AV/Audio unit is offline. Since it's intermittent it may be a problem with the power or ground wiring, but more likely it's a problem with the internal power supply. If that's the case you're into a new AV Unit.

[mklemp]

Hard reset attempted. AV unit was removed and all connections were reseated. Same symptoms exist so I'm moving to the next step of replacing my AV unit.

I see several of these on eBay for roughly $50. I'm assuming that older units may translate into more dated maps if they were not updated.

Is there any level of programming required if I install one of these from another vehicle?

[VStar650CL]

No programming per se, but if it's a Bose it does need to be configured for Base/Bose, TPMS/no-TPMS, mic directional/non-directional, and camera rear/side-rear/AVM. So a used one may not work correctly even if it's the right part. The configs on the Base system are much more limited, so it's probably no worry if that's your system.

Make sure the part you use is either an identical part number or a supersession, don't go by make/model/year. The dealer Parts Dept can print you a supersession chain if you have difficulty finding the identical p/n.

[mklemp]

Here's the PIC of my unit on the left and one that I'm eyeing up on eBay on the right.

Let me know your thoughts on capability.

[VStar650CL]

That's the same p/n. The only number which matters is the 25915-3JA1D, the other stuff is all serial and EIN crap. No worries, that'll work.

[mklemp]

I replaced my AV unit with one from eBay, reset and ran diagnostics.

Everything works perfectly except no audio. I do have Bose speakers and you mentioned something about the need to configure for Bose.

The receiver works, scans for stations, identifies the music playing and artist...but just no audio.

[VStar650CL]

Chances are that isn't a config issue. You might have a blown Bose fuse or you might just have a bad radio. When a non-Bose unit is installed in a Bose car or vice versa, the problem is always the audio volume. In the former case the volume will blast, in the latter it will be faint, but you should still hear something in some fashion. If you get nothing even with the volume cranked to max, it likely isn't a config problem.

[VStar650CL]

I just checked your WD and the Bose should have two 15A fuses in tandem, #8 and #10 in the cabin fusebox. They should be marked Bose. Because they're tandem, if one blows then the other usually quickly blows too, so both need to be good for the Bose to function.

[mklemp]

Unfortunately, the fuses are fine. I put the old AV unit back in and it plays.

I put the new / old unit back in and no joy.

[VStar650CL]

Sounds like the new-used unit is a bust, then. This is the config list from the FSM. You can see there's nothing affecting the operation of radio audio except Bose/non-Bose, so the problem won't be software.

[mklemp]

Where do you manually set these items?

[VStar650CL]

With a Consult3+ (the official Nissan/Infiniti scanner). There may be aftermarket scanners which can do it, but I don't personally know of any.

[mklemp]

Do you have a recommendation for a J box?

I was eyeing up this one...

Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable - Toyota/Lexus/Scion OEM Reprogramming and Diagnostics

[VStar650CL]

Looks to be mostly a reflashing tool, so if it will also do Nissan/Infiniti configs then it should do the job. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask about that, as a dealer tech I don't frequently use anything except the C3+.

[mklemp]

The Mongoose-Plus J2534 supports Consult3+ so I think it will get the job done.

[mklemp]

I took my vehicle to the dealership for troubleshooting and the diagnosis was that the TCU module is bad.

New TCU module from the dealership = $1600 plus installation and programming is $2400 out the door.

I can buy a used TCU module from eBay for $80, but I read in a service bulletin that these modules cannot be reused once programmed to a specific vehicle.

Reference part number 283B0-3JA6C

Does anyone have the source of truth here about reusing a module from another vehicle?

[VStar650CL]

To my knowledge there's no Nissan/Infiniti TCU which is swappable. They're all mated to the VIN and can't be reprogrammed to a different vehicle once they're installed. I'm very leery about the diagnosis, though. You said the new AV worked perfectly except for the audio, and the old AV has audio but everything else is crapped. Those problems exclude one another, so the cause being anything outside the AV seems terribly unlikely. The one thing I will say is, if they sell you a TCU and it doesn't fix it, getting it right will be on them and not you. They can't return the new TCU and will have to eat it.

[mklemp]

I replaced the TCU, which was bad, but the no audio condition still persists.

Swapping back to the original AV unit with known good audio doesn't work either.

The fuses are good to the Bose amplifier. Is it possible that the amplifier is now bad?

[VStar650CL]

Did they replace the TCU, or did you DIY it? The TCU positively needs to be VIN-mated to the car and activated, otherwise it won't wake up and nothing will work. If they did the job and not you, get mad and make them do a proper diag and fix it.

[mklemp]

I replaced the TCU with a used one, but the programmed VIN cannot be changed.

I found a place online called Module Experts that will repair my original programmed TCU for $200.

Turn around time is 5 days.

I'll report back the results.

[mklemp]

The dealership has been holding my vehicle hostage for over a month now. I provided a rebuilt TCU module, and they are struggling to program it.

Not sure how to bring a greater level of expertise to this problem. Any suggestions are welcome.

[mklemp]

New TCU purchased from online Infiniti parts.

The dealership installed the new TCU and it apparently works.

The dealership claims that my purchase of a used and already programmed Infotainment unit violates Infiniti's approach to solving problems.

They claim that this used infotainment unit has confused the car's computer system making it unserviceable going forward.

Infiniti doesn't ever want to see my car again (30K miles) as my change out of the infotainment unit violates their policies.

My last 4 car purchases have been Infinities and I've been pleased with them.

Never will I ever buy another Infiniti. My experience with the dealership was horrible by any standard.

So, I'm back to troubleshooting the no audio condition by myself. That's after I make a youtube video and finish my rants on social media.

[VStar650CL]

I kind of knew that TCU diagnosis was bogus, and what they told you about the CANbus getting "confused" is patent hogwash.

The Bose on the Q70 looks to be a hybrid type, having some smartwork to handle microphones and such, but getting "dumb" analog audio input from the head unit. Since one head unit had audio and one didn't, I'm thinking the second one simply isn't talking properly to the Bose. We're back to what I said in the beginning, it's probably just a misconfiguration in the replacement head unit.

[mklemp]

Okay, I have some details where I can use your help and it seems we're close.

I scanned for DTCs in Consult and there was nothing.

It immediately wanted to program the AV Control Unit and started walking me through that process.

I completed the process per Consult but the unit is not happy... buttons don't work etc.

Consult prompted me to complete the programming again and I received this error...

A new DTC has appeared

[mklemp]

*** Problem Solved ***

One must delete the AV Control Unit config to program a unit from another vehicle.

Access the Secret AV Control Unit Menu
1. Turn the ignition on
2. Turn off the radio
3. Press and hold the settings button
4. Turn the volume knob counterclockwise for 40 clicks.

There's a plethora of tests and checks one can perform here.

Navigate to an oddly named menu item called: Accessory Number Initialization

Don't press this button unless you are prepared to program your AV control unit with Consult3+ as this will give it a lobotomy and it will not work without reprogramming.

The Consult3+ programming was straight forward and uncomplicated.

Select Reprogramming Configuration, read the vehicle's VIN, select Multi AV and write the VIN.

I've seen examples where options were presented for manual configuration. In my case, the only option was to program the VIN.

Start to Finish Time: 10 minutes once you know the process

Lesson's Learned (Painfully):

Dealerships live in a world where all parts are new and in my case the repair cost would have been $9,000+ for an AV Control Unit and TCU replacement.

If you go down the path of DIY and buy used parts from ebay or elsewhere, the dealership won't be able to help you with programming. Used items (preprogrammed) are not ready to receive new programming.

My DIY project involved the purchase of VXDIAG interface module (<$200) and everyone should own one. It came with software and a great support website (Highly Recommended). I bought more expensive modules and returned them as most companies don't offer support for Consult3+ software. VXDIAG is one-stop shop for everything needed.

The AV Control unit came from ebay for $280

The TCU (Telematics Control Unit) is a dealer-only and program-once item. You cannot use a TCU from eBay that is already programmed. The retail cost (what the dealership will charge) is $1,600. You can buy these from online Infiniti parts dealerships for $1000+.

There are Module Rebuild scams on the internet. Module Experts (Nice Website) took me for $400 and there are hundreds of review posts where they did the same. Bite the bullet, buy a new TCU, or thoroughly check the company that you think might rebuild it.

Physical Installation: Remove the battery cable BEFORE you disconnect anything electrical as many of these modules have power with the ignition off.

Total DIY cost = $1,500 - $1,600.

[VStar650CL]

Good info, great job!

[mklemp]

I appreciate all your help.

I would not have got this over the finish line without it.

[VStar650CL]

You're most welcome. Posting the full details as you did is always the best way to pay it forward, so once again, great job!

[garethm56]

Hi there,

I did the unfortunate thing of doing the same thing
Could you guide me though what you did specificlly?

So i need to buy this module:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006 ... ry_from%3A

Then buy consult 3+ and do the below stuff is that all?

*** Problem Solved ***

One must delete the AV Control Unit config to program a unit from another vehicle.

Access the Secret AV Control Unit Menu
1. Turn the ignition on
2. Turn off the radio
3. Press and hold the settings button
4. Turn the volume knob counterclockwise for 40 clicks.

There's a plethora of tests and checks one can perform here.

Navigate to an oddly named menu item called: Accessory Number Initialization

Don't press this button unless you are prepared to program your AV control unit with Consult3+ as this will give it a lobotomy and it will not work without reprogramming.

The Consult3+ programming was straight forward and uncomplicated.

Select Reprogramming Configuration, read the vehicle's VIN, select Multi AV and write the VIN.

I've seen examples where options were presented for manual configuration. In my case, the only option was to program the VIN.

Start to Finish Time: 10 minutes once you know the process

Lesson's Learned (Painfully):

Dealerships live in a world where all parts are new and in my case the repair cost would have been $9,000+ for an AV Control Unit and TCU replacement.

If you go down the path of DIY and buy used parts from ebay or elsewhere, the dealership won't be able to help you with programming. Used items (preprogrammed) are not ready to receive new programming.

My DIY project involved the purchase of VXDIAG interface module (<$200) and everyone should own one. It came with software and a great support website (Highly Recommended). I bought more expensive modules and returned them as most companies don't offer support for Consult3+ software. VXDIAG is one-stop shop for everything needed.

The AV Control unit came from ebay for $280

The TCU (Telematics Control Unit) is a dealer-only and program-once item. You cannot use a TCU from eBay that is already programmed. The retail cost (what the dealership will charge) is $1,600. You can buy these from online Infiniti parts dealerships for $1000+.

There are Module Rebuild scams on the internet. Module Experts (Nice Website) took me for $400 and there are hundreds of review posts where they did the same. Bite the bullet, buy a new TCU, or thoroughly check the company that you think might rebuild it.

Physical Installation: Remove the battery cable BEFORE you disconnect anything electrical as many of these modules have power with the ignition off.

Total DIY cost = $1,500 - $1,600.