Change USB ports module from double USB-A to double USB-C

[Antani81]

Hello, i've a 2017 Ibiza with the two USB-A and 3.5mm audio jack module (code 575035736).
I occasionally have disconnection problems from both the USB-A ports, when the phone is connected.

I would like to change the module with the one installed in the newer versions of the car, which have two USB-C ports (code 575035736A).
The modules seems mechnaically interchangable and the connectors key, from what i can see online, seems comparable.

Do you think is it possible to replace the module without changing wirings?

Of course i will loose the 3.5mm jack, but i never used it.
I dont now if the wires and pins that goes to this jack needs to be removed from the connector if trying to replace the module, since they will not be used.

Thank you

 

[serdar_18fr]

Do you think is it possible to replace the module without changing wirings?

Of course i will loose the 3.5mm jack, but i never used it.
I dont now if the wires and pins that goes to this jack needs to be removed from the connector if trying to replace the module, since they will not be used.

Looking at the diagrams below, there seems to be two wiring looms coming into both units.
One with 5-pins (T5l) looks the same at both ends (connecting into a round socket, I believe)

But the other is a 8-pin one (T8e, 6 of them look populated) in USB-A unit, and a 4-pin one (T4bq, all of them look populated) in USB-C.
Looking at the images of actual units on secondhand part ads, it is clearly seen that USB-A unit has a 8-pin socket but USB-C unit has a 4-pin socket.

So you would need to find out what those pins are used for in both units, buy a 4-pin connector that would fit in USB-C unit's socket, and make the required wiring changes.

 

[Big Vinny]

I would just buy a couple of USB-A to USB-C adapters from eBay. They are cheap about £2 each.

 

[Tell]

On adapters you got to be careful that they are fully wired for data. Some aren't, so they only charge but dont ship data that's if you want to use Android Auto / Car Play. Read the small print of the advert or just try it with a gamble. It was the downfall of some people using old USB A drives with adapters to do firmware and map updates in mib3. Pin out not fully wired, they are in some, not in others.

Ps when I have used AA I've found broken USB cables to be an issue and length. After about a metre their ability to pass data deteriates. Connections bouncing about causes cables to break around the plug. Something else to be aware off.

 

[Antani81]

Thank you for the answers. Taking a look at the schematics, it seems that its not an easy one-to-one substitution.
USB-C protocol also have different input/output voltage than the 5V of the USB-A standard, so also different power connection will be needed to the module.

I've tried two different cables and have different behaviours, one of them can connect more steadily the phone to Android Auto, but the phone doesn't charge while connected. I dont' know if it's a problem of the worn USB-A ports or of the quality of the cables. I will try to buy a new quality cable and see what happens.

 

[Tell]

There were also in the past firmware issues with mib2 standard. Depends whether your Ibiza is suffering from that. People use to say update your firmware. Each year bought a new "train". 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx. You cant jump trains but the fixes came at the end of each train like 2xy etc. End letter. People would seek an update to fix connections dropping away. These are suppose to be done by your dealer but the firmware files are available in the wild. If you got one of the last updates in the train, the y letter then it wont be that.

The mib2 firmware thread is here:

SW update for MIB2 infotainment system?

Hi, I'm going to update software for the Seat Leon Hatchback 5F1; One year ago I've done the latest official firmware update: MST2_EU_SE_ZR_P0253T. There are little bugs on this update, like the volume that strikes down randomly... Is the latest possible firmware MST2_EU_SE_ZR_P0516T sure for my...

www.seatcupra.net

Mibsolution.one was the lucky dip library setup by enthusiasts. That has gone offline.

 

[Antani81]

There were also in the past firmware issues with mib2 standard. Depends whether your Ibiza is suffering from that. People use to say update your firmware. Each year bought a new "train". 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx. You cant jump trains but the fixes came at the end of each train like 2xy etc. End letter. People would seek an update to fix connections dropping away. These are suppose to be done by your dealer but the firmware files are available in the wild. If you got one of the last updates in the train, the y letter then it wont be that.

I replaced the MIB2 last week, since it was stolen eight months ago. During this period i didn't use the USB ports, since they were disconnected. At the moment it seems to me that the behavior or the USB ports is the same as before. I don't know which FW version is installed in the actual unit, probably they had to install the original FW associated to the version of my car to let it "talk" correctly with the headunit. When you say that I can't jump, you mean that i cant install a firmware version that is not associated to the year i bought the car?

 

[Tell]

I replaced the MIB2 last week, since it was stolen eight months ago. During this period i didn't use the USB ports, since they were disconnected. At the moment it seems to me that the behavior or the USB ports is the same as before. I don't know which FW version is installed in the actual unit, probably they had to install the original FW associated to the version of my car to let it "talk" correctly with the headunit. When you say that I can't jump, you mean that i cant install a firmware version that is not associated to the year i bought the car?

Right and the new user library that replaced the one that went offline is here

Plain M.I.B

mib.plain.gg

Now in the past hacked firmware where people had jumped trains did give issues, so it might be that if a retrofitter installed hacked firmware. The official ones end with a T in libraries although that doesnt mean someone has hacked it to give it that letter.

You can tell whether you are looking at a hacked file in a library by whether it finished with a signature bank on the metainfo2.txt file. No signature bank file it's not original. Early mib2 standard units would not finish with 516 which is the last release. They would be on the 2xx train. So anything above that I'd say its been hacked.

Anyhow something else to throw into the mix.