My Murple

[Audifan]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

It looks like there is 4 servos here in this picture and guessing there is 4 on the other side. Is there any more of these hiding elsewhere under the dash?

Ah I see. I didn't know the A8 had this combo.

[Adrian E]

You could stick one of the radio frequency clock modules in there, and have the full range of fitting locations to choose from

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

You could stick one of the radio frequency clock modules in there

Should.

And being MJ ONLY the OEM location will do, which oddly I think might be on the crossmember inside the dash panel that is currently removed.

[MikkiJayne]

Originally Posted by Audifan

It looks like there is 4 servos here in this picture and guessing there is 4 on the other side. Is there any more of these hiding elsewhere under the dash?

Five in that picture - one at the very bottom under the vent. I think there are four on the other side though as the rear vent only has a single servo doing both sides together. So 9 inside. There are then two more outside - one for the air inlet and one for the recirc so I think 11 in total.

I have a couple of complete HVAC units on the shelf. I could do a thread on them if there is enough interest, cos they are a bit crazy.

Originally Posted by Adrian E

You could stick one of the radio frequency clock modules in there

I may well do I have one which was bound for the grey S8, but since that spends most of its time in the workshop which is just a big faraday cage, it might actually be more useful in this one Shame they're not more readily available really.

[Adrian E]

I remember changing the air recirc one under the bonnet on my old one - that was 'fun' as although it looks like reasonable access by eye, it's actually quite difficult to get just the right angle on the screws holding it in place!

From memory there's 2 part numbers for the time clock module - I know there's a load of info in Sergey's thread on the difference. We fitted mine on Sergey's drive having removed the RNS-E and surrounding console. I think in Etka it shows a self tapper holds the bracket (which I got new via TPS) to the air ducting as being the factory location? It is a good few years ago that we did it!

[Stromaluski]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

I have a couple of complete HVAC units on the shelf. I could do a thread on them if there is enough interest, cos they are a bit crazy.

Please do! On the same settings left vs right, my A/C is noticeably colder on the passenger side than the driver side, and looking through documentation that came with the car, it's been like that for more than a decade. A dealership even changed out the compressor because they didn't have a clue why. I have a suspicion that one of the actuators may be a little wonky, but don't have the slightest clue where I would start looking.

[MikkiJayne]

Probably the coolant valve is stuck open on one side. My grey S8 always blows hot on one side regardless of settings because the valve won't close. Replacing that valve block with something modern is on the list for this year

Replaced the foam round the HVAC joints



With that done, and the windscreen cleaned, I could think of no more reasons not to put the dash back in





Its crazy how heavy this thing is. Its something of an ordeal doing it single-handed without breaking anything!

There is only one connector for the dash which does the vent illumination and the sunlight sensor. It plugs in just at the base of the right hand A-pillar



Fitted the radio clock module



Steering column reattached



I called it a day here as I needed to tidy some wiring which I missed earlier.

The wood trim is out still because I can't decide on Maple or Myrtle. I like Myrtle very much, but I might need to keep my good set for the other FE interior I have in storage so I might use the original Maple from my grey S8.

[MikkiJayne]

Obviously it was at this point I remembered the last thing I had to do before putting the dashboard back in

Fit all this lot for passenger seat memory:



Its possible with the dash in of course, but considerably less easy to do

I hung the old dash off the multi-gym to weigh it



I guessed 20Kg - its actually 19.5 so close enough. Crazy for what it is. The airbag is a significant proportion of that, and the rebar is quite a big chunk of aluminium, then covered in a shell of vinyl and moulded polurethane foam. Not much lightness to add to this unless you also ditch passenger safety.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

There is only one connector for the dash which does the vent illumination and the sunlight sensor.

I did wonder when you said this "What about the front passenger airbag" and as you have just mentioned it, how is it connected?

[MikkiJayne]

That has a separate connector just above the glovebox