RNS510 disc stuck DVD disassembly - pics

[bluey]

Having finally sorted out the stuck disc problem, pics to show how to fix with minimal pain. There is no way to do this other than remove and disassemble the DVD mechanism. Could be a 10 minute job!

It appears that after loading firmware, the unit requires Maps DVD next and no other disc will make it happy. (I wanted to reinstall firmware in SSD after making sure it worked on old HDD without putting on maps. Don't do that, it won't work.) Maps DVD may be locked in the unit until "new owner" takes delivery of new vehicle, to prevent Maps DVD theft. (Presume there are other conditions embedded in the software to prevent disc removal prior to delivery.) No other method appeared to work apart from putting in the Maps DVD, since any other disc would generate error until Maps are loaded and would not eject. VCDS shows an ejection lock, but this was already off.

Interesting my corrupted HDD appears to be working fine at present having reinstalled firmware.
(Replacement original Hitachi HDD model - mine was 40GB HEJ421040G9AT00
TYPE ES4PAA400, is available on Aliexpress for about $25. 100% Brand new Hard Disk drive HEJ421040G9AT00 40GB For Car HDD navigation systems made in Japan-in Radio from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group)

To manually remove a stuck disc, separate the two halves of the DVD mechanism. Front assembly with disc lock is not designed to be removed unless the two halves are already separate. Hopefully the DVD will behave itself like a new one when installed empty, as long as Maps are already installed.

0. Remove RNS-510 from vehicle. Wiring loom plug has latch lever that unclips at bottom and swings out. Antenna plugs also have latch levers of a sort - white nylon part pulls up and then acts as lever for the catch to release when squeezed. Remove lid (2 screws at front).

(General instructions on RNS-510 removal thread RNS-510 HDD replacement/SSD swap DIY. Extra long torx bits not needed for this job but are needed for SSD swap. https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10224A-.../dp/B003X5KEUK )

Local copies of pics:
1. Remove rear attachment of the DVD bracket rather than the DVD itself. Remove DVD mechanism so you can see the cables. Disconnect ribbon cable and power cable. Ribbon cable has usual wedge lock - release lock by pulling out inline with cable, then cable slides out. Power cable is latched to main board and easy to remove there - squeeze latch and pull.


2. Separate the halves of the DVD assembly. Disconnect the 2 cables marked that join between the two halves of the mechanism. Use either a pointed spudger in the hole or non-marring flat nosed pliers on the reinforced cable end. Lift the looped around part whilst gently puling the cable end out inline with cable. Be careful removing the sticky tape holding the cable to front mechanism. Remove the four torx screws that go through the shock mounts - marked - 2 visible and 2 through PCB access hole. Top and bottom of DVD mechanism will separate and disc can be removed. Reassemble.


3. For reference, shows what the bottom half of mechanism looks like with PCB removed. Removing PCB is unnecessary unless you wish to replace mechanics of mechanism without renewing PCB. Aliexpress shows complete mechanisms with and without PCB are available for around $30-$70. OEM mechanism is made by PLDS = Philips LiteOn Digital Systems.

(EG ORIGINAL NEW SF-HD88CPH SF-HD88S car DVD mechanism DVD-M5 DVD-M5/1 DVD M5 for VW RNS510 Ford BMWMK4 GPS navigation Drive systems Original PLDS DVD mechanism DVD M5 navigation loader SF HD88S HD88 laser for Ford RNS510 Escalader BWM E60 2006R GPS dvd radio-in Car Multimedia Player from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group; DVD-M3.5 no PCB for earlier models has different connectors. Original New PLDS single DVD mechanism DVD M3.5 drive loader SF HD8 Deck No PCB for Mercedes BMW CCC MK4 SAAB Ford Car DVD audio-in Car Multimedia Player from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group)



4. Drive mechanism (top half) shown in what appears to be the "home" position (ie as if disc inserted). Motor gear can be manually turned with a pointed stick in the gears (shown obscured by the cable connector). DVD failed to talk to RNS-510 in any other mechanism position.


5. For reference shows parts of mechanism front. I had pulled this apart from the front initially trying to removed stuck DVD, and having displaced several parts in the process, required to reassemble them. Don't take the front off the DVD mechanism (unless the two halves are apart).


Pics on photobucket: RNS-510 Slideshow by blouis79 | Photobucket

[Jakiejake]

Hi Bluey.

It is a while that you witte this tutorial. I have the same issue. I cloned my original HDD and copied it to my new SSD. put the SSD in the unit and hot to the car. I think i put the key in the ignition and it started up. After a minute the unit wanted a MAPS DVD and i putted the wrong cd in the unit.. it was a firmware update.. then the unit did not respond anymore.

I have removed the DVD as you told, but in what state must be the unit for feeding a cd.. I have done a cupple of variations, but it does not work.. do you know or do you have some more pictures i what state the DVD player must be, so that the RNS 510 will read again?

[bluey]

See:

RNS-510 (Skoda Columbus) CD/DVD slot locked/clamped - ??due to invalid clamp state

Anti-theft logic is designed to stop maps DVD being stolen. Best option is to put the correct disc in whilst the drive is disassembled. Anything else didn't work for me.

Pics reposted on Google photos.
RNS510 disc stuck DVD disassembly - Google Photos

Pic 4 shows obscured motor worm drive (right red box) and carriage position stop (left red box). (See notes on pic 4 above.)

[Jakiejake]

Hi Bluey,


thank you for your message and I only see your message now .. In the meantime I have taken out the DVD several times and put it back in again, only the DVD / CD was not drawn in by the DVD player. it looked like the white clamp part was still down. at a later stage I put the DVD back together again and the DVD / CD is now pulled in again and it is also spinning again, but is not doing anything. the only drawback is that if there is no DVD / CD in it, a message will appear saying "CD / DVD error" without a CD in it. Does this have to do with the laser of the DVD player?


do you know if the CD player with the laser should be pushed all the way in, as can be seen in your photo?


Thanks for your information!

[bluey]

Best to put the player in the "disc in" position and put the correct DVD (maps) in the player and assemble with the disc in.

[Jakiejake]

Hi bluey. The problem is now that when i remove the SSD and nothing is in the "columbus" then i can put a dvd in and it will spin up and it will load the Maps...
But when i put the SSD in again it will not work.. why is the unit blocked with a new SSD?

Greets

[Jakiejake]

Hi Bluey.

it is not going to work.
maybe that Kingspec has a differrent controller or something, but the unit is not working with the new SSD.
As i said, with the SSD in the unit, the DVD drive is not spinning up and when i remove the SSD, then the DVD drive is spinning up and the eject button is working again. So i think the is not be able to set the master / slave setting on the new SSD.

Greets Jakob

[bluey]

Hi Bluey.

it is not going to work.
maybe that Kingspec has a differrent controller or something, but the unit is not working with the new SSD.
As i said, with the SSD in the unit, the DVD drive is not spinning up and when i remove the SSD, then the DVD drive is spinning up and the eject button is working again. So i think the is not be able to set the master / slave setting on the new SSD.

Greets Jakob

Cloning has been reported to never work. The drive has proprietary formatting. I believe the SSD has to be formatted from scratch as a new drive by the RNS 510.

[Djh]

Hi I know it’s old but I need need some answer for my problem, my dvd drive loader is broken, so I’m trying find new one but the number of the dvd drive doesn’t match mine to those out for sale, mine is dvd-m5 GZ 04 , those for sale is GZ 01 or GZ 05 , they told me it doesn’t fit ? Is it true ? They look like same to me. Here is my dvd drive, please help
IMG-4650 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB
IMG-4647 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB
IMG-4646 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

[The_Hawk]

I can't help with parts, but at this point in its life cycle the recommendation is to swap out the old RNS510 with something a little more modern which supports AndroidAuto and CarPlay (wireless if you can get it!). As nice as the RNS510 was, CarPlay is essentially a must have for me today.

There is a couple of things to watch out for, depending on what you currently have.

You can buy any double DIN unit and use a mounting bracket and adapter/wiring harness, or you can buy something that is designed to replace the OEM unit directly. The OEM style look a little more... well OEM. A square aftermarket double din unit looks just like that... and aftermarket add on. There is nothing wrong with that, some people just prefer the more factory look.

The stock reversing camera is probably CVBS (that little blue 4 pin plug) rather than composite (the old school yellow thing from your NES).
Many (most) aftermarket options only support composite so you may have to swap out your camera (I had to swap mine out a few years ago).

In my searching to post examples I found this one which supports CVBS, which I think give a much much better picture especially in low light.


Another thing thing to watch out for is how they implement Wireless Android Auto/CarPlay. Some have it built in (which is much better in my experience) other use a USB adaptor.

I installed this Maxca unit a few years ago myself.
My install thread.

My feedback is that the screen isn't bright enough when in bright sunlight and I can never get the touchscreen to calibrate quite right. The volume controls are also a single dumb setting so I find that phone calls are too quiet until you turn them up, then your music is too loud after you hang up. In better implementations (like the Pioneer I had or the Mazda OEM system in my Wifes car) the volume level for music, navigation and phone are separate things.

That said, it was dirt cheap, plug and play and otherwise has worked flawlessly. My iPhone connects 99% of the time without issue (where the Mazda with a dongle can be a little slow to start and finicky when it doesn't want to connect until you power cycle the dongle, same story with a similar adaptor on my Pioneer).