Infotainment Screen Failure

Sloucher

Sloucher

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Location
Bristol, UK
Driving
MG4 Trophy LR
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 :unsure:

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

MuzGB1970 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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).
 
Most electronics are assembled in China now. The chances of MG using Grey Market crap components is i feel quite low
 
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.
 
stevegus said:
Most electronics are assembled in China now. The chances of MG using Grey Market crap components is i feel quite low
Click to expand...
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.
 
Sloucher said:
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 :unsure:

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.
Click to expand...
 
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.
 
jerry1963 said:
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.
Click to expand...
That's encouraging - that it can be resolved through an update.
 
tsedge said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
stevegus said:
That would be a very stupid strategy on a part of the car that’s warranted for three years (not 7 in that case).
Click to expand...
Well, I am speculating on the possibility that's all, companies can do stupid things - or be let down by their suppliers.
stevegus said:
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
Click to expand...
I agree and I wouldn't do it but I am not in charge at MG.
 
Sloucher said:
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 :unsure:

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.
Click to expand...
Have you tried disconnecting battery for 5 minutes, to reboot like
Computer, just a thought
 
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.
 
PristDean said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?!!
 

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