GUIDE: Fitting Dension Gateway 100 (or other iPod connector)

Shadders

Active Member
Apr 14, 2009
190
6
Sandy
shadders, i think our cars are carbon copy's, lol.
There is some kind of connection port at the rear of the HU, more then likely for the CD changer.
make sure when you take the HU out that the gear stick isnt in 'P' or 'N' i scuffed mine a little. try to put it in 'S' however doing this you wont be able to take the keys out of the ignition!

I'll let the guy know when he fits it!

If there is a port for the CD changer, this is where you connect the gateway as it replaces the CD changer.

Once it's done I'll let you know all the details & how well it works. Just hope they can get the part they need!
 

DSUK

Active Member
May 9, 2009
26
0
I have a 2006 Leon with the standard head unit. It does not have the 'MP3' facility. Will the Dension 100 still work with this unit and if so, where on the head unit do you switch over to the 'aux' input?
 

Yannerson

Newbie
Oct 16, 2005
12
0
I have a 2006 Leon with the standard head unit. It does not have the 'MP3' facility. Will the Dension 100 still work with this unit and if so, where on the head unit do you switch over to the 'aux' input?

The CD button switches between the single CD and the "AUX" input that masquerades as a multiplay CDC.
 

PKBadboy

Guest
Hi - Firstly I am new to this forum so apologies if missed something. I am trying to get a iPod connector kit for my Leon 07. Noticed you guys are in the same area. I called up Letchworth Auto Centre and they said that Seat had stopped producing the kit for the 07 Leon due to problems. What would be the best kit to get and how did you get on at L M Audio - was going to go there on Friday

Cheers for your help
 

Shadders

Active Member
Apr 14, 2009
190
6
Sandy
Hi

I'm actually booked in LM Audio tomorrow although need to confirm they have the Dension kit in now.

They had problems originally saying their supplier didn't list a part for this car but I done some research & it is available.

I'll let you know how I get on & will post a reply with any details.

Cheers & hope you enjoy your new car:D
 

PKBadboy

Guest
Hi

I'm actually booked in LM Audio tomorrow although need to confirm they have the Dension kit in now.

They had problems originally saying their supplier didn't list a part for this car but I done some research & it is available.

I'll let you know how I get on & will post a reply with any details.

Cheers & hope you enjoy your new car:D
Thanks for that. May even be down there tomorrow to find out the cost, details etc..

Had the car about 18 months but just getting fed up using the aux lead - having to take it out every time I get out of car.

Will wait to hear what you think of the work the guys do in Knebworth

Cheers
 

JK1

Full Member
May 15, 2002
531
2
Bedford
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Shadders, did you manage to get it installed in the end?

I also have an original Seat Leon Sport '06 (without the aux socket) and was wondering if this would be compatible. I have the Bluetooth built in so want the menu navigation to.

Was hoping MK Seat might be able to do it during its service next week but from reading the thread seems Seat don't offer the MFD capable one?
 

Shadders

Active Member
Apr 14, 2009
190
6
Sandy
Shadders, did you manage to get it installed in the end?

I also have an original Seat Leon Sport '06 (without the aux socket) and was wondering if this would be compatible. I have the Bluetooth built in so want the menu navigation to.

Was hoping MK Seat might be able to do it during its service next week but from reading the thread seems Seat don't offer the MFD capable one?

Sorry no joy!

LM Audio couldn't source the correct part from the normal supplier. They then tried someone else & nothing arrived!

The part is out there as emailed Dension direct & confirmed new release only happened in Jan this year. Think part number was GW16VC1 which is the Can-Bus version & should then work with dashboard MFD.

You can buy on line from Ipod Car Kit Direct or Car Vision. LM said if I wanted to buy myself & bring to them, they would install for £70. Bit steep as unit would cost about £160 & then fitting on top.

I've got this on hold at present as just had to get 2 new tyres @ £230, tax, MOT & insurance all due end of month along with final payment on finance! Gonna be a lot of outgoings & plus I'm getting married in September. Will be skint for years!

Sorry can't give you any more help. I did research quite a lot in first place & am sure you can source it.
Another option for you, LM Audio orignally got a Connects 2 unit in for me which apparently does exactly the same & may still have in stock. Worth a go but check price as Connects 2 much cheaper that Dension.

All the best.
 

JK1

Full Member
May 15, 2002
531
2
Bedford
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Well Seat MK fitted mine for me, seems the correct part, and have got sound out of it however it seems the iPhone 3G won't charge from it and no menu access from the dashboard (apparently an Apple 'feature').

On the look out now for an old iPod classic to use with it instead...
 

JK1

Full Member
May 15, 2002
531
2
Bedford
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I went out today and bought a full iPod... and still no track/menu on the MFD :censored:

The Dension unit is the GW16xxx as it does charge my iPhone 3G and I can use the controls to change tracks.

Just don't know what the issue is, could be that the original '06 MFD doesn't work with it, or that the original '06 stereo doesn't support it, or that the Dension unit installed is the VW not the VC unit.

Right now it's just a 3000 track CD, how do they expect you to navigate or use it?!
 

mmdd

Guest
I'm in the same situation as you.
My car is a 2006 fr version 100 and Dension cam-bus does not show titles inthe MFD.
Dension do not know no answer. Any solution?
 

JK1

Full Member
May 15, 2002
531
2
Bedford
Visit site
I'm in the same situation as you.
My car is a 2006 fr version 100 and Dension cam-bus does not show titles inthe MFD.
Dension do not know no answer. Any solution?

Oh that's not good :cry:

Have you got the iPod in Gateway UI mode - http://www.dension.com/index.php?pageID=13&articleID=56 also have you tried setting the text display - http://www.dension.com/index.php?pageID=13&articleID=53

I assume you have a iPod Classic/Nano? The iPhone and iPod touch don't parse menus or id3 tags so they can't show on the MFD anyway.

I do have my suspicions that it's the MFD, I remember the mid year '06 revision added several functions to the MFD setup screen so there must have been a version upgrade perhaps the original isn't compatible.
 

mmdd

Guest
I tried to tell the two solutions with the same text resultado.No supports tex in MFD.
I have an ipod classic 30 gigabytes, and I can select the radio artists, albums etc. through the radio .. but without any text in MFD.
 

Juggels

Guest
Thanks a lot for this guide LeonMunkee... I've followed this one this weekend and I must say that I am one very happy camper :D
My iPhone 3G works perfectly with my GW16VW1 (except for the well known lack of ID3 tags on the display)... It's almost fun now to be stuck in traffic ;-)
 

DSUK

Active Member
May 9, 2009
26
0
I have also now fitted the GW16VW1 and can confirm that it works fine. The only slight issue I have is sometimes when connecting the iphone 3G up the unit does not resume what was previously being played but just displays 'track 99' and plays nothing! I have tried both connecting before and after the head unit is switched on. Think its something to do with the CD6 input mode setting switching itself, because if I go to CD6 and re-input either mode (track) 2 or 3 it sorts itself out! Was going to see what version of firmware is on the dension, but this information is not displayed on the iphones screen, unlike an ipod
 

LeonMunkee

Active Member
Jan 5, 2008
165
0
Reading, Berkshire
I have also now fitted the GW16VW1 and can confirm that it works fine. The only slight issue I have is sometimes when connecting the iphone 3G up the unit does not resume what was previously being played but just displays 'track 99' and plays nothing! I have tried both connecting before and after the head unit is switched on. Think its something to do with the CD6 input mode setting switching itself, because if I go to CD6 and re-input either mode (track) 2 or 3 it sorts itself out! Was going to see what version of firmware is on the dension, but this information is not displayed on the iphones screen, unlike an ipod
I see this issue on mine (Dension Gateway 100/GW15VC1 with iPod nano), and it's usually when the head unit has been switched to CDC with no iPod connected. CD6/Track3 will get me out of it, or using the MFD menu.

JK1 said:
The iPhone and iPod touch don't parse menus or id3 tags so they can't show on the MFD anyway.
My girlfriend's iPhone 3G has been connected and shows ID3 tags on the MFD ok, so maybe it's just then GW16VC1 that doesn't parse properly?

Juggels said:
My iPhone 3G works perfectly with my GW16VW1 (except for the well known lack of ID3 tags on the display)
I suspect that'll be because the GWxxVW1 part isn't CAN-BUS compatible so won't send the ID3 info to the MFD. The GWxxVC1 part is needed for that.
 
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Juggels

Guest
I suspect that'll be because the GWxxVW1 part isn't CAN-BUS compatible so won't send the ID3 info to the MFD. The GWxxVC1 part is needed for that.

True, i think so as well... but seeing as I don't think I have an MFD (I believe I have the RNS 300) it's not that big of a deal for me...

The store I ordered the cable from first sent me the GW15VW1, which isn't compatible with the 3G. You would expect a specialised store to know that :(
Anyhow, I was pretty darn happy when I finaly heared music from my iPhone playing over the car speakers :D
 

LeonMunkee

Active Member
Jan 5, 2008
165
0
Reading, Berkshire
True, i think so as well... but seeing as I don't think I have an MFD (I believe I have the RNS 300) it's not that big of a deal for me...

The store I ordered the cable from first sent me the GW15VW1, which isn't compatible with the 3G. You would expect a specialised store to know that :(
Anyhow, I was pretty darn happy when I finaly heared music from my iPhone playing over the car speakers :D
Probably worth me clarifying a few things here, as there seems to be some confusion:

  • 'MFD' refers to the large display in the instrument cluster (where your MPG, odometer, trip counter etc.. is displayed), and not to the head unit. The MFD is fitted if the car has the bluetooth option. VW refer to this same display as 'Hi-Line'.
  • 'MFD2' and 'MFD3' are what people refer to the the Sat Nav head units (HU) fitted in the Leon as. (People shortening this to 'MFD' just causes confusion.)
  • 'RCDxxx' are Blaupunk or Grundig Radio CD (RCD) head units used in other VW group cars but not fitted as standard to the Leon. They have similar functionality I believe to ours, but look different. (Do a google image search for RCD 300 to see...).
  • 'RNSxxx' are similar, but are SatNav head units.
  • The Dension Gateway boxes all connect to the standard Leon head unit via the 'CDC' CD Changer interface and 'pretend' to be CD changers so the head unit can control track selection and receive the audio.
  • The CAN-BUS versions of the Dension also have a connection the the MFD wiring to send data to the instrument cluster display.
  • There is no connection between the standard Leon CD head unit and the large instrument cluster MFD, so no ID3 tags from MP3 CDs are viewable.
  • If you fit the GWxxVC1 Dension Gateway, then ID3 tags from the iPod/iPhone will be viewable on the large instrument cluster MFD (where fitted).
  • No ID3 tags from iPods are viewable on the CD head unit display, no matter which Dension Gateway is purchased, as the Leon standard HU doesn't support text-in on the CD changer interface.
I believe the standard Leon CD head unit is either the SE359 or SE360 (MP3 version).
I think facelifted Leon's use the SE250 head unit.
 
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Juggels

Guest
Thanks a lot for clarifying this! Especially the bit with MFD/MFDxxx/RNSxxx apparently had me confused...
 
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