I just bought a Vodafone data sim for the car. Went in OK but when I try to initiate it in settings, it just hangs on "Reading SIM" for about a minute before reverting to off. If its relevant, the car connects to the house wifi without issue. Software says its up to date, version 20 plus change.

Having read various threads on here, I tried the sim in an old phone to check it. The phone definitely sees it, but wouldn't actually make a call (but I'm assuming because its data only sim?). Anyway did an online chat with Voda help who were absolutely no help - didn't seem to understand the concept of it not being in a phone and no surprise they concluded its an issue with the car. However, I see a few have had trouble with the reader in the car and have had swaps under warranty. So currently expecting to have to revert to the MD. But just thought I'd check first to see if anyone has any other ideas of what I might try to fix it myself. Mike - MPx

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it does sound like the reader that is faulty but to make doubly sure put that data sim into a tablet and see if its ok getting data.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Ah yes. Would have done that in pref to trying the phone, but our only tablet is an original iPad from 100 years ago and its got no sim slot. We just use it around the house on wifi.  Mike - MPx

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I got that when I first put a Sim in mine, I don’t think it was located properly so I did it again using tweezers to push it down and make sure it was in right. I don’t think it connected straight away either, took a little while so it worth leaving it in for a few hours / overnight to see if that works.

Did Vodafone say that the Sim had been activated as they don’t usually until they’re in a device?

I bought a 12 month 3 sim from Amazon. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

I hade this exact issue on mine and I cut-down a business card to fit behind the SIM card to make it make firmer contact with the six copper contacts and it worked for me (I left some of the card exposed to act as a 'tab' so I could get it out again!) 2017 - L405 SC - WOW! just WOW!
2014 - L405 4.4
2010 - L322 3.6 - Carried me 100,581 miles then broke big-time

There are 10 types of people in this world;
Those that understand binary,
and those that don't.

Thanks @Martin2 - have put it in and out numerous times and pretty comfortable that its clicking in OK...but will leave it in and see next time. On the Voda help chat they confirmed that the data was usable on my account, but I'm not sure they could see the sim so don't know if they actually did anything.

Interesting idea on the card wedge @Wrecker79. I'll try it... Mike - MPx

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Suggestions tried, still no joy... Mike - MPx

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A slight update on this, but no success yet.

As others probably know and as suggested above there is more to getting a Voda data sim working other than just pushing it in the slot. I don't have another MicroSim slot device, but as a last resort decided to split out the nanosim and put it in my iPhone. Just as it did in my old burner phone, the sim was read straight away by the phone, but then I received messages that I needed to update my APN settings (whatever they are) - but to do so all you needed to do was download them by clicking https://vdms-prd blah blah. So I clicked that link and the sim was "activated " such that I could then do internet searches, etc on the iPhone. Took the sim out, carefully rebuilt it to a microsim and reinserted in the FF slot and..... nothing. Exactly the same issue when trying to switch on mobile data in comms settings. Hangs on reading sim for 30-40 seconds then greys out again. Tried it three times over about 10 mins with the engine running.

Anyone know if these APN settings that Voda messgaes are device specific? Ie now that it was used in my iPhone it wont work in the car by design? The problem of course is that since the car wont read it, I'll never get to the stage where I can connect to the net to change anything! Mike - MPx

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I think the APN message is pretty standard when using a new data SIM in a phone. In your case it does seem that there may well be a fault with the reader.
One other thing to try is to make sure the vehicles wi-fi client is switched off so it does not attempt to connect to any wi-fi networks whilst reading the SIM, I've found that if the vehicle is connected to a wi-fi network then when it moves out of range it is very hit and miss (mostly miss) whether it then connects via 3G. This seems more like a software issue rather than the reader though.
With my vehicle, it would have random periods where it gave the same symptom as yours with not connecting to 3G, a new interface cured the issue, however its still a bit flakey if it connects to a wi-fi network first.

If you got the vehicle from a dealer then its worth going back to them to get this resolved.
For the 2017 models the interface unit is part LR114028 with rrp £150 inc vat - (this supersedes the original part LR087366)

Just to finish this thread in case anyone is searching for a solution...in my case the selling dealer has "replaced damaged SD card reader" under warranty and its now reading the sim absolutely fine.

Time now for me to learn what exactly that does for me ! Mike - MPx

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2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
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2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)