Wiring on solar roof
 

Hello , finally getting back to working on the A8 , decided to fit the solar roof that's been in the garage for 10 years ! It's an early and fully optioned( except the solar roof ) 95 car the question is will the complete wiring be already in place for the roof or will I need to make some of it , Thanks in anticipation

That's the sort of question that IT can probably answer, but even if it's not there the wiring is surprisingly simple.
(I'd put money on the wiring being effectively part of the roof, so not included.)
There's a thread somewhere IIRC where said IT (Ian) describes the fitting process in detail.
Out of interest is yours the original or later type of panel; I think it's purely a matter of how many solar sections and fitting is identical.

Here's the thread, from when Ian retrofitted one to my S8, seemingly eons ago now...;) http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthrea...unroof+fitting

The key sentence from Ian seems to be: "The critical part of this job is to have the correct wiring loom, or at least remove it from a donor car in a useable fashion"

Also worth noting though that Ian mentioned the harness was from a 97 pre-wired car without the solar roof so it seems likely a 95 will already have the wiring +++

There's also some good details in this thread, including some I took of the stripped down panel

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthrea...t=solar&page=1

Thanks for the all the advice it’s 21 panel version if that makes any sense be giving it a go this weekend.

3 rows, vs 4 later. Pretty sure everything else is identical apart from the panel itself. Later ones just have more "oomph".
My fan was whizzing away so fast today I went and turned it off - I fitted a bypass switch some while ago - just a break in the earth cable from the panel. It's a rocker switch on the transmission tunnel cover, passenger side, accessible only with the glovebox open. Thread on it somewhere... ;)

Sorry, missed this.

Yes, a 1995 should have the wiring for the solar roof all pre installed. It will be in the passenger footwell, under the door sill trims somewhere. Really distinct plastic encased cable with a yellow plug that goes nowhere. You will need to remove the upper A pillar trims and feed it up to the sunroof control panel where it belongs...

oh, and then locate the solar relay in the passenger footwell - Its obvious as its the only relay position that has no relay, and instead a metal blade shorting the climate power supply direct to the blower motor. Replace this with a regular relay and you're all done bar installing the actual panel...

Great advice , thanks so much all in just got to sort the last bit of wiring , it’s a lot ! heavier than the aluminium panel , was the motor upgraded in these for the weight ? Thanks again