Infotainment Screen Failure

[Sloucher]

Well, I suppose it was inevitable. After 1500 miles of trouble-free driving, my infotainment screen is borked with the usual flicking from one screen to another (see Video). It seems to be a problem with the screen driver as the main screen decreases slightly in size and it's enough for the left edge of the second screen to be revealed. The software then can't decide which screen to show, so it flicks between the two and becomes impossible to use.

I've tried the long press on the home screen but the reset doesn't cure it. However, all my settings are now lost because of the reset, I can't apply them again. I now can't control the drive mode from the steering wheel now or set a charge limit (the app doesn't work on my phone).
I have to put Android Auto on so the continual flicking of screens doesn't distract me, but it seems to keep dropping the AA connection (also AA GPS no longer seems to work, it can't find the car's location).

I also note that now all sorts of errors are being displayed! Such are the joys of owning a car with amateur software on it I suppose - or is it that all the electronics are Chinese rip-off imitation components

I've contacted the dealer and have to take the car in for them to video the problem (they won't use my video), send it off to MG and then wait for permission to perform a warranty repair, which will - judging by other people's experiences - involve replacing the whole display unit. Undoubtedly that will mean a long wait for a new unit to be ordered and arrive, then fitted.

Has anyone else with this problem had it cured by a software update rather than a hardware replacement? My unit is at R30 and not R33.

 

[siteguru]

Have you tried (carefully, and with luck) selecting/changing DAB radio station? From other threads this seems to resolve the issue - at least temporarily.

 

[MuzGB1970]

Have you tried (carefully, and with luck) selecting/changing DAB radio station? From other threads this seems to resolve the issue - at least temporarily.

I had this issue once some months ago, the DAB station fix sorted mine out and I've not had the issue again since. Hopefully it stays that way.

 

[Sloucher]

Have you tried (carefully, and with luck) selecting/changing DAB radio station? From other threads this seems to resolve the issue - at least temporarily.

I had this issue once some months ago, the DAB station fix sorted mine out and I've not had the issue again since. Hopefully it stays that way.

Unfortunately, because of the continual movement of the screen, I can't actually get to any of the radio settings (or any settings for that matter!) to try anything. It's stuck, paused, on FM (not selected by me).

 

[siteguru]

I think it's a case of "prod and hope". ?‍

 

[stevegus]

Most electronics are assembled in China now. The chances of MG using Grey Market crap components is i feel quite low

 

[Ian Key]

Might be worth just giving a bit of downward pressure with a gentle back and forward movement on the screen to see if it's a loose connection.

 

[Eber]

Maybe it's worth a try to disconnect the 12V battery for a couple of minutes.

 

[tsedge]

Most electronics are assembled in China now. The chances of MG using Grey Market crap components is i feel quite low

Yes the Chinese can make any level of quality desired, including high end (eg iPhones). However, MG may have cut costs too far with the display unit, leading to poor quality.

 

[jerry1963]

Well, I suppose it was inevitable. After 1500 miles of trouble-free driving, my infotainment screen is borked with the usual flicking from one screen to another (see Video). It seems to be a problem with the screen driver as the main screen decreases slightly in size and it's enough for the left edge of the second screen to be revealed. The software then can't decide which screen to show, so it flicks between the two and becomes impossible to use.

I've tried the long press on the home screen but the reset doesn't cure it. However, all my settings are now lost because of the reset, I can't apply them again. I now can't control the drive mode from the steering wheel now or set a charge limit (the app doesn't work on my phone).
I have to put Android Auto on so the continual flicking of screens doesn't distract me, but it seems to keep dropping the AA connection (also AA GPS no longer seems to work, it can't find the car's location).

I also note that now all sorts of errors are being displayed! Such are the joys of owning a car with amateur software on it I suppose - or is it that all the electronics are Chinese rip-off imitation components

I've contacted the dealer and have to take the car in for them to video the problem (they won't use my video), send it off to MG and then wait for permission to perform a warranty repair, which will - judging by other people's experiences - involve replacing the whole display unit. Undoubtedly that will mean a long wait for a new unit to be ordered and arrive, then fitted.

Has anyone else with this problem had it cured by a software update rather than a hardware replacement? My unit is at R30 and not R33.

 

[jerry1963]

Yea mine did exactly the same a few months back and my dealer had it in and sent the problem to MG then the following week had it in again for a software update and it cured the problem. So far so good no further problems. Car t remember what what update I’m on and I’m away at the moment and not near the car.

 

[tsedge]

Yea mine did exactly the same a few months back and my dealer had it in and sent the problem to MG then the following week had it in again for a software update and it cured the problem. So far so good no further problems. Car t remember what what update I’m on and I’m away at the moment and not near the car.

That's encouraging - that it can be resolved through an update.

 

[stevegus]

Yes the Chinese can make any level of quality desired, including high end (eg iPhones). However, MG may have cut costs too far with the display unit, leading to poor quality.

That would be a very stupid strategy on a part of the car that’s warranted for three years (not 7 in that case).

You can sell knock off cheap electronics on ali express that doesn’t really work but with a 30k car thats going to get a warranty claim and not just lobbed in a bin as a lesson

 

[tsedge]

That would be a very stupid strategy on a part of the car that’s warranted for three years (not 7 in that case).

Well, I am speculating on the possibility that's all, companies can do stupid things - or be let down by their suppliers.

You can sell knock off cheap electronics on ali express that doesn’t really work but with a 30k car thats going to get a warranty claim and not just lobbed in a bin as a lesson

I agree and I wouldn't do it but I am not in charge at MG.

 

[Sloucher]

Maybe it's worth a try to disconnect the 12V battery for a couple of minutes.

I've tried that I'm afraid, with no change ?

 

[charlie bravo]

Well, I suppose it was inevitable. After 1500 miles of trouble-free driving, my infotainment screen is borked with the usual flicking from one screen to another (see Video). It seems to be a problem with the screen driver as the main screen decreases slightly in size and it's enough for the left edge of the second screen to be revealed. The software then can't decide which screen to show, so it flicks between the two and becomes impossible to use.

I've tried the long press on the home screen but the reset doesn't cure it. However, all my settings are now lost because of the reset, I can't apply them again. I now can't control the drive mode from the steering wheel now or set a charge limit (the app doesn't work on my phone).
I have to put Android Auto on so the continual flicking of screens doesn't distract me, but it seems to keep dropping the AA connection (also AA GPS no longer seems to work, it can't find the car's location).

I also note that now all sorts of errors are being displayed! Such are the joys of owning a car with amateur software on it I suppose - or is it that all the electronics are Chinese rip-off imitation components

I've contacted the dealer and have to take the car in for them to video the problem (they won't use my video), send it off to MG and then wait for permission to perform a warranty repair, which will - judging by other people's experiences - involve replacing the whole display unit. Undoubtedly that will mean a long wait for a new unit to be ordered and arrive, then fitted.

Has anyone else with this problem had it cured by a software update rather than a hardware replacement? My unit is at R30 and not R33.

Have you tried disconnecting battery for 5 minutes, to reboot like
Computer, just a thought

 

[Sloucher]

Yes, I have - twice! Unfortunately there's no change ?

 

[PristDean]

From an IT perspective that looks like a resolution issue with the display not quite sizing correctly hence the settings screen coming into view. That then triggers a switch to the setting screen, but the system thinks it should be on the home screen so, rinse and repeat.
That needs the dealer to either update the software and see if it resolves it or re-install display drivers at least. At worst it may as you say require the head unit to be replaced.

 

[Sloucher]

From an IT perspective that looks like a resolution issue with the display not quite sizing correctly hence the settings screen coming into view. That then triggers a switch to the setting screen, but the system thinks it should be on the home screen so, rinse and repeat.
That needs the dealer to either update the software and see if it resolves it or re-install display drivers at least. At worst it may as you say require the head unit to be replaced.

I quite agree. What seems odd is the number of people who are able to pin down the genesis of the problem to the DAB radio. I don't see the connection, but can relate to it, as the morning before all this kicked off, I did have trouble with the DAB signal cutting out for 15 seconds or so then returning. All this without the car moving!
I'm going to see if any of the suggested cures work - after my visit to the dealer tomorrow, when they'll video the problem and submit it for a warranty claim (even though I offered them my recording).
I will suggest to them that maybe they could install R33 as mine is still at R30. They didn't do it at the recall update as, in their opinion, R33 introduced more bugs than it squashed.

Well, that was weird!!

I took the car to the dealer this morning and, after connecting it up to their computer and taking a video of the problem, they have agreed to start a warranty claim and have contacted MG with the details.

That, however, is not the weirdness. That happened on the way home, when the screen went totally black for around 5 seconds or so before returning - with a steady home screen with no flicking back and forward. Woohoo, I prematurely thought, because it also became apparent that the second (settings) screen and the slide down A/C screen weren't accessible. On the positive side, I could now select drive mode from the steering wheel again and the rear view camera was working again. Voice control would also allow me to request the configuration screen.

But....you've guessed it....I went to use the car again this afternoon, and guess what? Yup - it's back doing it's flickity flick thing again and no more rear view camera, drive mode selection or voice control.

Ah well, you lose some, you lose some more. At least the car is still drivable ..... now, where's a piece of wood to touch - quick?!!

 

[siteguru]

Should have selected/changed DAB radio station while you had the chance.