Camera calibration issue after windscreen replacement

[Shytot]

I've not been on for while - busy with work - but I've encountered a problem which may be a warning but also looking for ideas.

I had my windscreen replaced at Autoglass in May - the pre sense/front camera needed to be calibrated afterwrds and it failed.

Autoglass said that the error - inhomogenous illumination - was a random error which meant that there was a SW issue with the car. I didn't believe  that.

Audi  had a look and said that the windscreen didn't have their logo so it's not a standard windscreen and they weren't interested. 

An independent garage tried to calibrate and got the same error and suggested that the camera was working but just not getting accurate enough images.

 I decided to check if it was a windscreen issue and managed to get a replacement windscreen this week (at a different fitter) and the same calibration error occured.

that suggested that he car or the camera were the issue. Looking into it, the camera module on my 68 Q5 is part number 80A907217A and looking around, it is now up to 80A907217G

It suggests that the cameras were an issue or were improvemed and maybe the A version is only good for specific windscreens with specific light characteristics.

So I'd be interested in any other owners having any issues (or not having any) with calibration after windsreen replacement on vehicles around 2017/2018.

For me, the option is to spend more money on a newer camera (eBay or scrapper £100 - £300) plus calibration (£300) with no guarantee and possibly needing coding to fiyt my vehicle. Or just get the pre sense disabled.

It is a bit of a tricky one because Autoglass and others would be out of business very quickly if their windscreens were not up to spec and Audi are not interested in looking into "SW issues" without charging lots of money. The first windscreen was FUYAO (I've seen them on BMWs) and the second was Pilkingtons (well known).

So it's something to be aware of if you need a windscreen changing and maybe you have to insist that it is an Audi approved one.

I've got an OBD Eleven dongle which can enable and disable some fetures but I don't want to delve any deeper than that.

I need to find someone who can either do a reset on the driver assisitance module (5F) SW in case there is a bug or corruption, otherwise get the pre sense module disabled.

I also need to check if the pre sense is part of the MOT checks - that could be a real problem if it is.

Any suggestions welcome!

 

 

[Magnet]

Hello Richard, nice to hear from you again. 

I could be wrong, and hopefully others will be along and give you to correct story, but I believe Autoglass and other windscreen fitting companies fit aftermarket windscreens, and not the far more expensive ‘main dealer’ ones. Having said that, I would think there are few main dealers who would fit windscreens as opposed to using specialists - such as Autoglass - so there you go, you complete the full circle! 
The capability of these windscreens correctly reacting to automatic lights, cameras etc.?? 
What I did hear about them was not to be too surprised if they show stone chips at a rate of knots - ‘softer’ than originals-? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[cliffcoggin]

I have no suggestions for you Richard, though I may be able to offer a glimmer of hope. It was recently reported that a similar problem with Tesla cameras was resolved by a software update. I doubt that Audi are as keen to update their software as Tesla, but it might be worth invesigating.

[Shytot]

Gareth and Cliff - thanks for the replies - both worth considering 👍 

I'm pretty certain that Audi use Autoglass as their installer. 

I'm also certain that there is more to the software and revisions but I don't think don't want to burn lots of money only to be no further forward. 

As with my original post, it's just as much a heads up for others.