Retrofitting radio controlled clock

[Adrian E]

Here's an A although postage cost is mental so would need to see if they'll ship surface mail

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-A...item2325ada813

They're not ridiculous money to buy new but since they're standard fit on all LHD models I'm sure they must turn up all the time on German ebay

[HPsauce]

There are several A versions on eBay inside the EU, mostly in Germany.
I just made an offer saying what I thought was a reasonable postage cost to UK (by courier, they used DHL) and they accepted.

Though my seller doesn't have any more.

[The_Laird]

The linked one has the connector cut off, but I've also found one who doesn't ship to the UK, so I'll try your offer method. We have a German student staying that can help me with that!

[HPsauce]

My seller was happy to talk English via eBay message.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by notorious

you will need to tell cluster that radio controlled clock is now connected. This is done with VAGCOM / VCDS.

Select adaptation channel 19. The lower bit should be changed from 0 to 1.

Might be a dumb question, but which module - 17, Instruments?

[notorious]

Yes

[notorious]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

What's the difference between these 2 units? There are a few without the 'A' suffix on ebay.de, but not with the 'A' suffix

I think they are the same. Manufactured by different companies. One batch finished and they ordered another batch elsewhere. Assigned new part number to distinguish them.

I don't know that for a fact. This is just my guess.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by notorious

the dashboard plastic 'visor' above the instrument cluster is hollow inside -- perhaps it's possible to fix the receiver there.

Gathered some statistics that I wanted to share with everyone interested:

*** I installed receiver inside the visor and it lost signal after 3 days. As we know, cluster waits 3 days before switching off antenna symbol.

*** I removed receiver from visor and just left it on top of the visor, basically on the same location, but outside. I've put it in the evening, car stayed with receiver of top of the visor overnight and in the morning I saw antenna symbol again. As we know, cluster turns on antenna symbol during night hours. The only difference was the layer of dashboard plastic!

This illustrates how sensitive the location of receiver is. At least, in my situation with heated windscreen.



I have 3 plans now:

Plan A. Bite the bullet and install in OEM location via centre console. That will involve removing everything from centre console, including 'shelf' for the radio. I'm looking at something like this:



Well, because this thing needs to be removed to get proper access:



Don't want to do that really

Or maybe try to get access to that area via passenger footwell. This is what ELSA is saying about LHD cars. Sounds like a mockery, at it is VERY tight there



Plan B. Cut 3 wires of the receiver in the middle, extend them and snake those wires to boot, where I can install receiver under parcel shelf. This is rear seats out job, which is I think is more pleasant than plan A.

Plan C. Get myself another receiver. My example can be a bit weak. Here's how it looks from inside BTW. Basically, it's a long wave antenna configured for specific wavelength.

[Adrian E]

If it proves impossible to access via dash clocks I may have to wait till I fit the wiring for my solar sunroof - at least then there's more reason to be working to that extreme in that area! Also got to wire up properly for an anti dazzle rear view mirror.

I'm happy to have a go at being the contortionist to access via the dash clocks - if it won't go in that way at least we'll know!

The radio comes out quite easily - is there a lot more trim to remove before that frame comes out?

[The_Laird]

I'm waiting for you to do the rear view mirror and the radio-clock, and post the write-ups, before I start the same mods on mine!