Description

Volkswagen/audi Radio Navigation System, Plus Navigation System Training Manual

If you’ve ever had a customer bring in a VW or Audi with a dead navigation screen and the radio locked in some language you can’t read, you know the drill. Scan tool gives you a code, but the aftermarket wiring diagram shows twelve pins that don’t match the factory connector. That’s where this 44-page Volkswagen/audi Radio Navigation System, Plus Navigation System Training Manual earns its keep. It’s a factory Self-Study Programme (SSP 199) that walks you through how the system actually works, not how some third-party writer guessed it works. I’ve been twisting wrenches for 28 years, and the difference between OEM training material and a Chilton’s page is the difference between a clean swap and a melted harness.

Basic Principles of Satellite Navigation – What You Need to Know

Page 7 of the manual starts by breaking down the physics you actually need for diagnosis. It covers GPS signal structure, satellite triangulation, and how the vehicle’s dead reckoning system fills in when you lose sky view. The manual explains why the VW system uses a gyro sensor and wheel speed inputs to keep the position accurate inside tunnels or parking garages. If you’ve ever troubleshooted a “searching for GPS” fault that only happens in the concrete shop bay, this section tells you what the control unit expects to see on those sensor lines. No fluff—just signal path logic you can verify with an oscilloscope.

Self-Diagnosis of the Navigation Unit – Factory Procedure

The section on self-diagnosis (page 30 for the navigation unit, page 26 for the radio unit) is where this manual outshines any generic wiring book. VW/Audi nav systems have a specific diagnostic mode accessed through a key combination that most aftermarket guides skip. The manual lists exactly which fault codes map to which component failures—like the GPS antenna open circuit or the CAN gateway timeout. You get the factory test steps, not a suggestion. Follow the sequence, write down the codes, then refer to the system overview diagram on page 20 to trace the circuit. I’ve seen techs chase a “no communication” fault for two hours when the real cause was a 5V reference short at the radio tuner module. This manual would have pointed you there in ten minutes.

Audi Plus Navigation System – TV Reception Testing

The Audi Plus Navigation System includes an integrated television receiver. The manual dedicates pages 36-37 to TV function—how to set the region, check antenna diversity, and run a signal strength test. If a customer complains the TV screen stays black, you don’t replace the module blindly. The manual tells you to enter the radio’s self-diagnosis mode (page 26) first to verify the tuner registers. Then it guides you through the antenna path: the diversity module, the two roof-mounted antennas, and the coax connections. One of the common faults is a broken solder joint inside the diversity antenna amplifier, which the manual describes as “frequent repair case” in the workshop tips section. Real-world knowledge, not theory.

Differences Between VW and Audi Radio Navigation Systems

Page 38 lays out the differences clearly. The VW system uses a separate radio unit and navigation computer, while the Audi Plus system integrates them into a single head unit with TV capability. The control logic, button mapping, and CAN messages differ. If you’re used to the Audi interface and a B5 Passat rolls in, you’ll waste time if you don’t check the manual first. The manual also includes a table of connector pin assignments for both systems—something you won’t find in any aftermarket reprint. Use that table before you take a multimeter to the back of the unit. Saves burned pins and blown fuses.

Service Procedures and Test Your Knowledge Quiz

The last few pages (40-42) cover general service recommendations: software updates, component removal precautions, and a “Test Your Knowledge” section that quizzes you on system functions. The test isn’t for certification—it’s a check to make sure you didn’t miss a critical detail, like the fact that the Audi TV tuner can’t be coded without the radio first being in “factory mode.” I’ve had a junior tech brick a navigation computer because he skipped the coding sequence. The quiz questions highlight those traps. If you can answer all seven questions on page 42, you’re ready to diagnose at the bench.

Every page in this 44-page Training Manual is factory-original from Volkswagen/audi. No scanned copies of third-party reprints, no missing pages, no generic diagrams. You get the same document dealer techs used in the early 2000s when these navigation systems were new. The only aftermarket stuff I trust is the Volkswagen/Audi 2013 Technical Manual – Factory Diagnostics for later model diagnostics. For general transmission fundamentals, check the Hyundai Kia Transaxle Training Manual. If you need heavy equipment guidance, the Gottwald HMK 260E Training Course Manual 2003 covers crane systems. And for broader automotive context, the Automotive Industry Overview at Wikipedia gives a good baseline on navigation evolution.

Does this manual cover the Plus Navigation System with TV?

Yes. Pages 32-37 walk through radio operation, navigation operation, TV reception setup, and TV function testing for the Audi Plus system.

What tools do I need to use this manual effectively?

A VAG-compatible scan tool (VCDS or equivalent) to access self-diagnosis modes. A multimeter for pin checks. An oscilloscope if you need to verify GPS antenna signal. The manual gives you the expected waveforms.

Can I use this for a 2003 VW Passat?

The manual covers the first-generation Radio Navigation System used in early 2000s VW models like the Passat, Golf, and Bora. Check the system overview on page 20 to confirm your model’s control unit part numbers.

Is this a repair manual or a training manual?

It is a factory Self-Study Programme – a training manual that explains system design and function. It includes self-diagnosis procedures but not step-by-step removal instructions. Use it alongside the Workshop Manual for repair work.

If you’ve been burned by generic printouts that skip the critical steps, this is the stack of paper that gets you back to fixing things instead of guessing. The Manual Transmission page on Wikipedia gives context for older mechanical systems, but for modern nav diagnosis, you need factory documentation. Access the Factory Manual and keep it within arm’s reach of your scan tool.