MIB3 - Update stuck, bootloop, and missing FEC's

[trailz]

Hello Formentor fanatics,

I kindly request your help with an issue I am having with my Formentor's MIB3 system.

We recently acquired our Formentor 2nd hand. It's been imported from Spain (to the Netherlands), a 1.5 TSi with a manual gearbox. The car's MIB system came with software version 1803 when we took ownership. After we set it up with the Cupra application and enabled the connectivity, it didn't show an update available. The next day however, my co-owner came home and mentioned that the car had showed an update available, he let it install, and it was now showing A896 as the software version. So far so good. But he doesn't remember if he drove off while the update was still going, which might explain what happened next.

I have two problems with the MIB system now.
1. If I enable the smart connect functions, the MIB systems keeps restarting. It starts, plays radio for maybe 30 seconds, and then restarts, over and over again.
Putting the MIB system in full privacy mode, it works perfectly fine, except you don't have the smart connect functions of course. And it doesn't update further. The software update section does show a next update progress bar (to 1896 I think), but without the connectivity it doesn't download, and with connectivity it never gets that far before it restarts. I suspect the MIB system tries to download the update but somehow gets stuck, confused or panics and then restarts, and tries again. But I have no idea how to fix it. Restarting the system manually doesn't help, and the "cancel" button in the update progress bar is greyed-out.

2. The FEC/SWaP code section is completely empty after the update to A896. Both the active and non-active code lists are blank. I am 99% sure there were codes in there before the update to A896, and they are gone now.

I have a USB memory stick ready with the 1969 update. But I am hesitant to do it, I'm a bit afraid to mess it up. So I ask for your help or advice in this matter.

Thank you so much!

Kind regards,

trailz

 

[st4niu]

If it's still under warranty and it should be coz it's 5 years if I remember correctly then I wouldn't mess with updating myself to 1969. You did an update provided by cupra and everything related to it should fall under warranty. After all you did normal procedure. Updating via usb to 1969 yourself could lead to voiding it and then they might tell you that it's your fault. If for example the main unit will have to be replaced you will be charged a lot of money. At this point it's hard to tell what's the problem.

On the other hand I don't think updating to 1969 will make anything worse than it is right now. But then again if it still doesn't work then visit in cupra workshop will be required and then who knows how they will handle this situation.

 

[CupForm]

I have a USB memory stick ready with the 1969 update

I'm not sure it's safe to proceed with the 1969 update from the version you're currently on... especially since your infotainment was originally down to v.1803. You should look carefully into that, to avoid further problems.
Restart loops are a well-known issue that was eventually solved by sw v.1940 (or 1941, depending on car brand) over several VAG cars sharing the same MiB3. I would consider visiting a Cupra dealer to fix this issue, or at least diagnose it...

IIRC, version A896 is basically version 1896, but installed OTA.
And on my previous Octavia v.1896 had the exact same problem: random loop-restart. It was fixed by the dealership with the installation of 1940.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

Hello Formentor fanatics,

I kindly request your help with an issue I am having with my Formentor's MIB3 system.

We recently acquired our Formentor 2nd hand. It's been imported from Spain (to the Netherlands), a 1.5 TSi with a manual gearbox. The car's MIB system came with software version 1803 when we took ownership. After we set it up with the Cupra application and enabled the connectivity, it didn't show an update available. The next day however, my co-owner came home and mentioned that the car had showed an update available, he let it install, and it was now showing A896 as the software version. So far so good. But he doesn't remember if he drove off while the update was still going, which might explain what happened next.

I have two problems with the MIB system now.
1. If I enable the smart connect functions, the MIB systems keeps restarting. It starts, plays radio for maybe 30 seconds, and then restarts, over and over again.
Putting the MIB system in full privacy mode, it works perfectly fine, except you don't have the smart connect functions of course. And it doesn't update further. The software update section does show a next update progress bar (to 1896 I think), but without the connectivity it doesn't download, and with connectivity it never gets that far before it restarts. I suspect the MIB system tries to download the update but somehow gets stuck, confused or panics and then restarts, and tries again. But I have no idea how to fix it. Restarting the system manually doesn't help, and the "cancel" button in the update progress bar is greyed-out.

2. The FEC/SWaP code section is completely empty after the update to A896. Both the active and non-active code lists are blank. I am 99% sure there were codes in there before the update to A896, and they are gone now.

I have a USB memory stick ready with the 1969 update. But I am hesitant to do it, I'm a bit afraid to mess it up. So I ask for your help or advice in this matter.

Thank you so much!

Kind regards,

trailz

It’s normal for them to display as blank, as the activation codes aren’t stored in the infotainment system. They’re stored in the diagnostic gateway.

 

[trailz]

If it's still under warranty and it should be coz it's 5 years if I remember correctly then I wouldn't mess with updating myself to 1969. You did an update provided by cupra and everything related to it should fall under warranty. After all you did normal procedure. Updating via usb to 1969 yourself could lead to voiding it and then they might tell you that it's your fault. If for example the main unit will have to be replaced you will be charged a lot of money. At this point it's hard to tell what's the problem.

On the other hand I don't think updating to 1969 will make anything worse than it is right now. But then again if it still doesn't work then visit in cupra workshop will be required and then who knows how they will handle this situation.

Thanks for your thoughts! Much appreciated. I don't know about the warranty, the car was imported after all. Still debating on updating it myself, not decided yet but I'm leaning towards just doing it myself.

I'm not sure it's safe to proceed with the 1969 update from the version you're currently on... especially since your infotainment was originally down to v.1803. You should look carefully into that, to avoid further problems.
Restart loops are a well-known issue that was eventually solved by sw v.1940 (or 1941, depending on car brand) over several VAG cars sharing the same MiB3. I would consider visiting a Cupra dealer to fix this issue, or at least diagnose it...

IIRC, version A896 is basically version 1896, but installed OTA.
And on my previous Octavia v.1896 had the exact same problem: random loop-restart. It was fixed by the dealership with the installation of 1940.

I got in touch with a local equivalent to @East Yorkshire Retrofits about the software versions and he said its no problem to go to 1969 from A896/1896.
Thanks for your insights!

It’s normal for them to display as blank, as the activation codes aren’t stored in the infotainment system. They’re stored in the diagnostic gateway.

Thanks for your insights! Can I check/see the list of codes that are enabled and codes that are available through my OBD11?

 

[st4niu]

Thanks for your thoughts! Much appreciated. I don't know about the warranty, the car was imported after all. Still debating on updating it myself, not decided yet but I'm leaning towards just doing it myself.


I got in touch with a local equivalent to @East Yorkshire Retrofits about the software versions and he said its no problem to go to 1969 from A896/1896.
Thanks for your insights!


Thanks for your insights! Can I check/see the list of codes that are enabled and codes that are available through my OBD11?

To be honest warranty shouldn't be an issue. After all it was imported from eu country to eu country so we all here fall under same laws and I believe it shouldn't matter. Warranty is tied to VIN number in their system so everything should be smooth.

In 2001 we were visiting our family in Germany and Poland back then wasn't part of eu and we had brand new Seat Toledo bought in Poland. Something went wrong with radiator and they fixed it under warranty in Seat workshop near Koln. So if it worked back then then I wouldn't worry much now.

 

[raedinkhaled]

Were you able to restore the installed codes ?

I manually did a software update to 1969 and the list of codes is blank for me too!

also I can not turn on wifi and hotspot! (When I tried to turn them ON the switch immediately goes back to OFF)

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

Were you able to restore the installed codes ?

I manually did a software update to 1969 and the list of codes is blank for me too!

also I can not turn on wifi and hotspot! (When I tried to turn them ON the switch immediately goes back to OFF)

The list of codes will always be blank… the SWaP/FoD is stored in the diagnostic gateway not in the infotainment unit

If your vehicle doesn’t have a telematics module, then you won’t have wireless connectivity

 

[raedinkhaled]

The list of codes will always be blank… the SWaP/FoD is stored in the diagnostic gateway not in the infotainment unit

If your vehicle doesn’t have a telematics module, then you won’t have wireless connectivity

Before I had wireless connectivity without any issues, I lost the ability to turn on wifi or hotspot before the update when I did a factory reset to my unit and after that I thought with an update all will be fine but it’s not.
Now I can’t even turn of the eSim.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

Before I had wireless connectivity without any issues, I lost the ability to turn on wifi or hotspot before the update when I did a factory reset to my unit and after that I thought with an update all will be fine but it’s not.
Now I can’t even turn of the eSim.

In that case, it's likely you have a telematics update outstanding (amongst many other updates)

 

[raedinkhaled]

In that case, it's likely you have a telematics update outstanding (amongst many other updates)

How can I do these updates ?
i need to do them myself as I live in Algeria and we do not have any VAG dealer
The car is imported from France in 2021.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

How can I do these updates ?
i need to do them myself as I live in Algeria and we do not have any VAG dealer
The car is imported from France in 2021.

It is not possible to DIY, sorry.