Enable VIM TV-playback using VCDS/VAG-COM in your Audi MMI
Comments(596) Now, this is something for the Audi folks. If your Audi is equipped with a MMI TV-module or a DVD-player, security restrictions have been applied to stop video-playback while your car is moving above a certain speed threshold. This feature is also called VIM (Video In Motion) lock. There’s a guy from Russia who offers a VAG-COM/VCDS based solution to disable this restriction but a) he wants your precious money for this hack and b) he needs online access to your computer and to your car to set the VIM threshold. There are also expensive, CAN-based programming cables on the market for the same purpose.
Changing the VIM-threshold requires you to set a higher threshold value to a so called adaptation channel in your MMI head unit. Unfortunately, this channel is read-only unless you use a proper login code first. The login code is derived from a unique component ID in your car. Once you know this number you can write to that adaptation channel and set the threshold to any value you want to, whenever you want to and as many times as you like. Please read the instructions to learn how to obtain the component ID (it’s not the vehicle ID number VIN) from the MMI head unit. This component ID then has to be entered in the VIM code calculator.
Using some creative witchcraft (I can’t be more specific but it didn’t involve any of the mentioned commercial solutions) I figured out how the VIM unlock login-code is being calculated. I wrote a free web-based VIM-code generator so anyone can disable the VIM restrictions, you just need someone with a VAG-COM/VCDS to do it for you. If you don’t own a VAG-COM/VCDS diagnostic cable you may be interested to know that there’s a VAG-COM locator available.
Fortunately, the VIM unlock login-code generation algorithm is the same for the MMI 2G and 3G (at least as of July 2009), so yes, using the generated login-code you can enable TV/DVD-playback at all vehicle speeds for the MMI 3G as well!
Depending on the MMI system generation you want to VIM-enable, click one of the following links to get to the detailed instructions. This is MMI 2G/3G only, I won’t offer a solution for RNS-E based systems.
Click here to learn how to enable VIM for the MMI 2G
Click here to learn how to enable VIM for the MMI 3G
You can either use the links above to generate your personal login-code or download a Windows based generator here.
Warning/Disclaimer: Do not “watch and drive”! It may even be illegal in your country to watch video/TV while the car is moving! This is for experimental purposes only.
Use this link to translate this post to German or any other supported language.
If you bought it off ebay for $50 or less it’s probably not a real cable. :)
Ross-Tech is the genuine manufacturer. http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/cat/VCDS.html.
The cable also functions as a hardware authenticator (dongle) for the software, so genuine software has to run through a genuine cable.
Folks sell hacked versions of the software that will work on cheap cables, but it is not upgradeable (and of course illegal / pirating / bad karma / etc)
When I enter the security access key, I get a Controller refused the key! error 35: Invalid key. My cable works and I can see everything just cant get passed the security code? I have tried both codes? I turn the car on for 10 min and try the second code with no success?
Your personal login-code is 03699 (alternative code is 06959)
Worked for me Q5 2013. Followed the steps step by step and had no problems.
WORKS, TUAREG 3, 2011 3,0 TDI BM. FIRST TIME ERROR BECAUSE I FILL WRONG NUMBER, THEN WAIT 10 MIN, AFTER OK.
Worked for me on a March 2013 A4 2.0TDI, with “jukebox” based MMI 3G+
Hello, I have the Audi Q3 with the basic mariner. Across the cable, I can see with the iPhone 4 videoes on the screen of the MMI, but when the vehicle is circulating, the sign of video is blocked. I have entered the module 5F to realize the process of activating video in motion but the switchboard does not facilitate the serial number to me to be able to generate the code. Since I can obtain the serial number of this switchboard. Do you need some information more? Thank you
Excuse me, my model car it’s Audi Q3 navigation basic. I worked with vcds in version 11.11.3. I cant find the number serial. The number serial isn’t.
Excuse me for my english
Thanks
Hi Trocomalo,
Sorry but only certain combinations of MMI will show you a serial number in the 05 controller.
No serial number = no ability to switch off the “video in motion” sorry.
Steve B
I select the control module 5F, after select the Advanced ID – 1A. When intro, no show the number serial.
In audi q3 navigation BASIC isn’t compatible this process?
Works like a charm on 2012 Touareg Lux
Hi trocomalo
Unfortunately that is true.
It appears to be impossible to switch off the video in motion on the basic system.
There are hundreds of people who would be very happy if we could find a way to do this for that set up.
So unless you can see the serial number in controller 5 F you are unable to do this.
But there are other options. You can buy a part that guts into the diagnostics socket and that stops the screen from shutting off when you are moving. But that costs money I think around 100 pounds sterling ( I am not sure).
But google it and you will find where to buy them.
Steve B
Thanks
I wanted to say thank you for the detailed steps provided for VIM in my 2012 Audi C7 A6…..It worked the very first try and my kids will forever be grateful!
Sbloccata VIM su Audi A5 2012 procedura perfettamente riuscita grazie
Hello!
Tell me please, can your “generator” work with “Discover Pro” on the VW Golf 7.
If not, is there a way?!
Hi,
I have just used this code generator and vcds on my 2013 A6. Has worked a treat now have tv on the go (if there is reception) and can watch a dvd also on the move. Had to use the later re set technique after but apart from that just followed the instructions on this site.
Audi A4 8K BJ 2/2010 worked perfekt with DVD!Thank you!
I tried this on my 2007 Audi S6…
Works perfect!
Tv whilst in motion now!!!
Worked perfectly fine on my Audi Q7 3Tdi 2010 model. Even gave me an alternate security code.
Hey guys I have and Audi A7, my AC just stopped working when I click on AC it does not light up any ideas? I get air with no AC. ; /
Hi.
Do you know how to do it with VAS5054A. The “Select “Security Access – 16″ ?
Select “Adaptation – 10″
Select channel 48
I can’t see any channels in adptation.