A3 Sportback CarPlay issue

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Scott Nevett

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Hi all. Took delivery of my new A3 Sportback S Line a couple of weeks ago.

I’m having an issue with CarPlay. The MMI screen intermittently flashes black when in use. I’ve changed cables and tried both types of USB ports and the problem persists. iPhone is up to date too.

Has anyone had the same issue with a new A3 or is it a known fault with other models?

Thanks.
 
I've had similar issues with mines, sometimes it wont connect which can be really frustrating, especially when I have to get out the car, lock it up, reopen and start again, it normally works after that. I spoke to Audi UK and they said that there isn't any updates available yet.
 
Still not been able to have this resolved as of yet. Anyone else experienced this ‘cutting out to black’ issue?
 
Scott Nevett said:
Hi all. Took delivery of my new A3 Sportback S Line a couple of weeks ago.

I’m having an issue with CarPlay. The MMI screen intermittently flashes black when in use. I’ve changed cables and tried both types of USB ports and the problem persists. iPhone is up to date too.

Has anyone had the same issue with a new A3 or is it a known fault with other models?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I assume you've updated the phone to the latest iOS? Some owners of different cars were also experiencing something similar with version 13..
Anything in here helps? https://appletoolbox.com/carplay-not-working-after-ios-update-how-to-fix/
 
I picked my new A3 8Y last week and been having the same issue. Happens both when the phone is connected by USB and wirelessly, so don't think it's a USB/connection issue. I've got an iPhone X on the latest iOS version.

I've also had a whole bunch of other electronics-related issues - MMI randomly restarting whilst I'm driving, microphone stopped working for a few hours, warning flashes up saying "electrical fault - safely stop vehicle" and goes away after a few seconds. Not great after just a week of having the car.

Having it all looked at by the local Audi dealer this week, so will update if they can resolve the CarPlay issue too!
 
Ray88 said:
I picked my new A3 8Y last week and been having the same issue. Happens both when the phone is connected by USB and wirelessly, so don't think it's a USB/connection issue. I've got an iPhone X on the latest iOS version.

I've also had a whole bunch of other electronics-related issues - MMI randomly restarting whilst I'm driving, microphone stopped working for a few hours, warning flashes up saying "electrical fault - safely stop vehicle" and goes away after a few seconds. Not great after just a week of having the car.

Having it all looked at by the local Audi dealer this week, so will update if they can resolve the CarPlay issue too!
Click to expand...
I haven’t been able to connect wirelessly with CarPlay. Is there a setting I’m missing?

I also have the same problem with the screen cutting to black, at first I though it was just when driving over a bump but it’s just very random. And also very distracting while driving
 
I believe at the moment the wireless CarPlay is only available on the models that come with 2x USB-C ports (rather than 1x USB-A + 1x USB-C), which have been installed on the A3s built from September onwards I think, but it will be available for everyone via a software update at some point - at least that's what my dealer told me.
 
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blythy said:
I haven’t been able to connect wirelessly with CarPlay. Is there a setting I’m missing?

I also have the same problem with the screen cutting to black, at first I though it was just when driving over a bump but it’s just very random. And also very distracting while driving
Click to expand...

Hi all,finally returned to Audi after having had 3 mercedes over the last few years ,have to say it feels good to be back in one.I picked up my car yesterday and it’s having the same issue of blacking out for a split second, iPhone connected wireless aswell.It’s not a huge issue at the moment but clearly something isn’t quite right hopefully an update will fix,otherwise loving the car so far !
 
I’ve got the same issue, just flashes black for a second then goes back to normal. I’ve only connected wirelessly so thought it might be loss of connection briefly but it’s quite annoying.

anyone had any joy with getting this fixed yet?
 
I haven’t had the time to sort out with a local dealer. I’m hoping I can over the Christmas break. Hopefully a software update will fix it.
 
Ray88 said:
I picked my new A3 8Y last week and been having the same issue. Happens both when the phone is connected by USB and wirelessly, so don't think it's a USB/connection issue. I've got an iPhone X on the latest iOS version.

I've also had a whole bunch of other electronics-related issues - MMI randomly restarting whilst I'm driving, microphone stopped working for a few hours, warning flashes up saying "electrical fault - safely stop vehicle" and goes away after a few seconds. Not great after just a week of having the car.

Having it all looked at by the local Audi dealer this week, so will update if they can resolve the CarPlay issue too!
Click to expand...


Hoping to provide everyone with an update to this later on, we might have a potential explanation to the cause of the random warning lights we have all been experiencing, the video goes live at 7 tonight, hope to see you there:

 
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Scott Nevett said:
Hi all. Took delivery of my new A3 Sportback S Line a couple of weeks ago.

I’m having an issue with CarPlay. The MMI screen intermittently flashes black when in use. I’ve changed cables and tried both types of USB ports and the problem persists. iPhone is up to date too.

Has anyone had the same issue with a new A3 or is it a known fault with other models?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Scott,

My Mrs has the same issue with her iphone in our new A3 8y. Very Annoying.

If you discover a solution please let me know.

Ade
 
Same with mine too, I’ve heard nothing back from York Audi, but rubbish with contact but everything is up in the air at the minute with lockdown I suppose.
 
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They literally do not have a clue at the moment :(

Is everyone also having the warning lights too or just a flickering mmi?
 
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I’ve been so busy and tied up with work etc I haven’t contacted my local dealer yet. Need to do it really. Still flickering when using CarPlay
 
Dealership have come back to me and said service department are investigating as it’s happening on the salesman’s car as well, they said they’ll confirm when they’ve fixed that and then fit me in with the service department. Will post any updates I get here
 
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I’ve noticed something odd, might be worth seeing if someone else can also verify.
This blank screening only happens when I’m around 2-2.5k revs and changing up a gear, Usually 3rd to 4th.

now this makes no sense to me why this would effect CarPlay, but I’m not very up on how cars work from a technical standpoint, the only thing that makes sense is if it’s drawing power somehow.

any ideas anyone? I’ll report back to Audi tomorrow, as it’s clearly not an Apple issue in my opinion.
 
Moots said:
I’ve noticed something odd, might be worth seeing if someone else can also verify.
This blank screening only happens when I’m around 2-2.5k revs and changing up a gear, Usually 3rd to 4th.

now this makes no sense to me why this would effect CarPlay, but I’m not very up on how cars work from a technical standpoint, the only thing that makes sense is if it’s drawing power somehow.

any ideas anyone? I’ll report back to Audi tomorrow, as it’s clearly not an Apple issue in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Ours seems to go blank when cornering.
 
Moots said:
I’ve noticed something odd, might be worth seeing if someone else can also verify.
This blank screening only happens when I’m around 2-2.5k revs and changing up a gear, Usually 3rd to 4th.

now this makes no sense to me why this would effect CarPlay, but I’m not very up on how cars work from a technical standpoint, the only thing that makes sense is if it’s drawing power somehow.

any ideas anyone? I’ll report back to Audi tomorrow, as it’s clearly not an Apple issue in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Is your car a 35tfsi - stronic?

If so it could be the mhev battery causing the split second issue as the car switches power from the alternator when the car is running to the mhev when it's trying to save fuel.

Just a guess! - but sounds like it could be linked as there is a software recall for all mhev A3 cars
 
auzzam_crd said:
Is your car a 35tfsi - stronic?

If so it could be the mhev battery causing the split second issue as the car switches power from the alternator when the car is running to the mhev when it's trying to save fuel.

Just a guess! - but sounds like it could be linked as there is a software recall for all mhev A3 cars
Click to expand...
Ive had 2 software updates and a new alternator. Still have the Car Play issue and the MMI re-initialising! Fortunately the warnings seem to have stopped.
 
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auzzam_crd said:
Is your car a 35tfsi - stronic?

If so it could be the mhev battery causing the split second issue as the car switches power from the alternator when the car is running to the mhev when it's trying to save fuel.

Just a guess! - but sounds like it could be linked as there is a software recall for all mhev A3 cars
Click to expand...
No it’s an S3, I’ll ring Audi again today. Definitely seems to be something to do with a certain type of car though, I wonder if it’s all S-tronics, the dealer said he was in another demo car and it had stopped. Be interesting to see if that’s a manual.
 
Moots said:
No it’s an S3, I’ll ring Audi again today. Definitely seems to be something to do with a certain type of car though, I wonder if it’s all S-tronics, the dealer said he was in another demo car and it had stopped. Be interesting to see if that’s a manual.
Click to expand...
Mines Tdi manual, since my came back from the dealership the only ( upto yet ) problem with the mmi came after I’d used CarPlay ( wired )
I’ve now stopped using CarPlay to see if the problems don’t reoccur
 
ADE2000 said:
Ive had 2 software updates and a new alternator. Still have the Car Play issue and the MMI re-initialising! Fortunately the warnings seem to have stopped.
Click to expand...
that sounds similar to what happened to a friend of mine, he was getting constant warnings which have now become less frequent (I think only once in the last 2 months).

But every day he gets in the MMI is asking him to update his user settings lol
 
SamB2020 said:
Mines Tdi manual, since my came back from the dealership the only ( upto yet ) problem with the mmi came after I’d used CarPlay ( wired )
I’ve now stopped using CarPlay to see if the problems don’t reoccur
Click to expand...
What’s the issue you’re experiencing? I’m talking about the mmi screen going blank for a second or 2 when using CarPlay specifically here
 
Moots said:
What’s the issue you’re experiencing? I’m talking about the mmi screen going blank for a second or 2 when using CarPlay specifically here
Click to expand...
I’ve noticed this exact issue today using CarPlay over wireless connection, screen goes blank for a split second or so.

Using an iPhone 11 Pro with the latest public release of iOS.
 
mark2380 said:
I’ve noticed this exact issue today using CarPlay over wireless connection, screen goes blank for a split second or so.

Using an iPhone 11 Pro with the latest public release of iOS.
Click to expand...
Have you noticed when it does this? I’m now confident that mine is specifically when changing gear into 4th at around 2000 revs, I’ve no idea what could cause this but it’s fairly consistent and I’m able to recreate it.
 
Moots said:
Have you noticed when it does this? I’m now confident that mine is specifically when changing gear into 4th at around 2000 revs, I’ve no idea what could cause this but it’s fairly consistent and I’m able to recreate it.
Click to expand...
I’ll have a check over the next few days and feedback, I’ve only done 63 miles so it’s a little too soon to say, not too sure to be honest seems as though when I plant the throttle a bit I can see that split second flash of the screen.

Any specific driving modes that you have observed it in, I was in comfort this morning in D on my daily commute and it seemed to happen when I pressed the pedal to kick down to overtake a slow moving car?
 
mark2380 said:
I’ll have a check over the next few days and feedback, I’ve only done 63 miles so it’s a little too soon to say, not too sure to be honest seems as though when I plant the throttle a bit I can see that split second flash of the screen.

Any specific driving modes that you have observed it in, I was in comfort this morning in D on my daily commute and it seemed to happen when I pressed the pedal to kick down to overtake a slow moving car?
Click to expand...
Yea I’ve only noticed when it’s in D as well but only put it in sport when I’m wanting to go fast and I don’t really care what the MMI is doing at that point :)
 
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I have a 35 tfsi manual and mine is still doing this. Going into the dealership next Monday. I’m not hopeful they will be able to sort it based on comments in this forum.
Mine basically does this whatever drive mode is selected and is when I push on the throttle for some welly. I drive over loads of speed bumps in and out of my estate and they have no impact. It seems throttle related. But I could be wrong. Really odd.
Luckily my MMI works perfectly otherwise and, touch wood, my emergency call warning haven’t showed for over a week. Again all very odd.
 
Scott Nevett said:
I have a 35 tfsi manual and mine is still doing this. Going into the dealership next Monday. I’m not hopeful they will be able to sort it based on comments in this forum.
Mine basically does this whatever drive mode is selected and is when I push on the throttle for some welly. I drive over loads of speed bumps in and out of my estate and they have no impact. It seems throttle related. But I could be wrong. Really odd.
Luckily my MMI works perfectly otherwise and, touch wood, my emergency call warning haven’t showed for over a week. Again all very odd.
Click to expand...
If it’s not stopping you driving the car then to be honest I wouldn’t worry about it, I can imagine it’s frustrating to say the least. Especially when you’ve put up you hard earned cash against a premium car.

I’m sure it’ll be fixed in the coming months, not sure who your dealer is but Lookers in the north east are pushing for the MMI issues to be resolved.

I spoke to Audi connect team earlier regarding myAudi connection issues and they were more than obliged to help.

I will have a look to see if I can invoke the issue in certain modes. But to be honest I’ve only done 60 miles since collection yesterday and average about 13 miles per day.
 
Thought I’d bring this post back to peoples’ attention again. Basically, dealer says they can’t see an issue. They would like to take me out in the car with my phone plugged in at some point when possible. It’s as if I’m lying :tearsofjoy:
 
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Scott Nevett said:
Thought I’d bring this post back to peoples’ attention again. Basically, dealer says they can’t see an issue. They would like to take me out in the car with my phone plugged in at some point when possible. It’s as if I’m lying :tearsofjoy:
Click to expand...
I’ve sent York Audi a couple of videos, they’ve done sod all with them and when i chased after a couple of weeks to see wtf they were doing they just said oh we can’t see the videos. They’re a complete shower, I’ve escalated to Audi Uk this morning. Sick of their incompetence, I’m convinced they’ve done nothing at all and are just hoping I’ll go away.
 
Anyone else heard anything more on this? I’ve been advised now that Audi are aware of the issue and are hoping to have a fix in July
 
I have been told the same by York Audi, but I think its a hardware problem myself but lets see??
 
Moots said:
Anyone else heard anything more on this? I’ve been advised now that Audi are aware of the issue and are hoping to have a fix in July
Click to expand...
Mine is going in late July to follow up on my CarPlay issue (unresolved) the first time. I also have a crack that has appeared on the passenger side dash (the aluminium/plastic part) during the hot weather. Want to see if in warranty. They’ll probably say I did it. I did not.

In terms of the MMI I’ve also recently noticed what would be described as a grid of dots on the display (both CarPlay and Audi MMI) that appears disappears as you move your head. Weird.
 
Moots said:
Anyone else heard anything more on this? I’ve been advised now that Audi are aware of the issue and are hoping to have a fix in July
Click to expand...
Mine is back in with Audi for the 5th time tomorrow! The car is actully coming apart! The boot trim came off in my hand when closing and the trim on the drivers door pillar is off also! Build quality is not up to scratch at all! Anyway, please see the attached job card as there is a recall and a couple of updates. Hopefully the have solved the MMI issues and maybe the carplay bug as well! Fingers crossed!
 

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