A8 2004 DAB Retrofit

[Somerandomguy]

So I finally managed to fit my DAB module today, so thought I would write it up. I like OEM, so decided to use the correct amplifier and antenna. Mine is a 2004 D3, and so just has the one amplifier array in the back window – after much searching of ETKA, I deduced that the amplifiers are different depending on if you have TV etc, but the rear screens are all the same (phew).

So, now to the kit – you will need:
DAB module – 4E0035563 (between £80 and £120 on ebay), slightly cheaper from german ebay

MOST & Power Harness – I got this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121322463251) as I didn’t fancy dismantling the connectors with the cheaper ones

Antenna amplifier – 4E0035225AL (or AH) which includes TV, DAB and remote heater- hard work this one, finally found one on Allegro in Poland for £65

Antenna cable – FAKRA both ends, and I wanted a right angle connector to be neat and make sure it fitted under the trim.Now there are load of different FAKRAs each colour is keyed differently so they aren’t interchangeable – but the light blue “z” types are universal, so I bought this 2m lead from Poland http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120994817615

So, once everything is assembled, it’s time to fit it all.

Firstly, remove the left side boot trim (remove the plastic trim at the entrance to the boot by pulling the 3 poppers at the bottom, and then pulling it out, remove the boot liner, cargo hooks and for good measure I also removed the parcel shelf liner of the boot – sorry no pictures of this.

This gave good access to the media rack and cable runs and let me install the DAB module next to the amp – I pulled the MOST and power cable from the amp, plugged them into the new harness and then re-connected the amp and the DAB module.



Inside the car, you will need to remove the trim covering the antenna amplifier – it’s just held on by poppers, but I used a trim tool from the rear so that I didn’t deform the headlining. I also needed to remove the trim covering the pillar (the D pillar) to get access to the cable route. Remove the coat hook plus the screw underneath the coat hook , the handle and a screw by the rear windscreen then just unclip the trim and pull up away from the rear of the car. There is an airbag under here, so be careful!

Now you are ready to replace the amplifier and link it up. Carefully unclip the amplifier array from the holder stuck to the window and unclip all of the existing cables. Put the new array in its place, and re-connect the existing cables – you now have a new amplifier installed.

All that’s now needed is to run the cable from the DAB to the amplifier – under the parcel shelf, you can trace the route of the existing antenna cables. Carefully pushing a piece of wire (I used a single core of mains cable), after many attempts you will be able to see the end of the cable (through the back window) popping up next to the other cables. I removed the outer plastic housing of the FAKRA cable and taped it to the wire to pull it back through.

After that, all you need do it plug the cables in and enjoy DAB before putting the trim back.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Thanks for that write up - added to sticky

[audifin]

Very good write-up sir!

You've clearly done a lot of research on this - did you find a way to test the amplifier in any way before installing? I have a problem with my DAB radio reception which I've written about in a different thread. I suspect the amplifier is faulty (no fault codes though), but haven't found a way to test it. I have tested the DAB-radio with external aerial - worked fine, but like you I would rather keep it OEM.

[Somerandomguy]

No, I didn't - I tested the DAB radio by using one of the TV antenna connections to tune it in as with no connection it did throw an open circuit error on the antenna.

Thinking about it, this may be a way of testing the DAB antenna - if you have a TV, then you could plug one of the TV leads onto the DAB output of the amp (you'll need to take the FAKRA housing off I suspect) and there is a VCDS test that displays the antenna info on the TV screen so should show if one of them is very low..I'll see if I can find the info

EDIT:
This was the article where I read about the diagnostic info:
http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...5hybridtv.html

near the bottom it says
Interestingly, if you have the TV tuner selected when fiddling with the 57 TV Tuner box via VAG COM, the TV Tuner video will show all kinds of diagnostics information, like antenna reception values and temperature
I do remember doing this myself when I put the digital TV in - hope this helps

[audifin]

Thanks a lot, I'll try that when I get a chance. I have the analogue TV.

[M-A8]

Great install mate, I love when the job is done very well
And a nice write up which is always a pleasure to read.

Do you need a TV to have DAB?? Is it more hassle if there is no TV??

Cheers

[Somerandomguy]

No, the tv is not required at all,not having one should mean there is a wider choice of amps.

Buying from Poland did have its down side-the seller happened to have a full reverse camera set for sale which I just couldn't resist!

BTW were you in Bexley on Friday. I'm sure I saw a similar 8 to yours sail past as I was leaving work?

[M-A8]

Originally Posted by Somerandomguy

No, the tv is not required at all,not having one should mean there is a wider choice of amps.

Buying from Poland did have its down side-the seller happened to have a full reverse camera set for sale which I just couldn't resist!

BTW were you in Bexley on Friday. I'm sure I saw a similar 8 to yours sail past as I was leaving work?

We've got so many stolen high end class (especially from Germany) and plenty of them are stripped for parts, every single bit. One profession you don't want to be know for is car theft , but.....
I get stuff either from Poland or Germany, way much cheaper, but not all of it.

One of the suppliers I use has a full reversing camera set for 250quid, I'm still resisting tho...

Anyway, good to know TV is not required. On of things I'm missing but not that desperate to have it, little one always got her iPad and I'm always focused on the road, no use of TV for me, but it would be nice to have a DAB.

If you saw a same colour 8 on these wheels then I'm 100% sure it was me because the only other same colour 8 on exact wheels I saw was in US and thats how I fell in love with this alloy design and colour combination
7 months of searching and I finally got them

After 10 I was all over Bexley but around 1pm I made my way from Greenwhich via A206, quick stop in Erith, then A206 again and right turn on the Ford roundabout towards Crayford where I was dropping car off for wheels refurb

Difficult to judge by your profile picture, but I've got a feeling you were living at the top of Eversley Avenue and parking your car on the pavement outside your house???? Black PF D3????

[Somerandomguy]

I sold my old A6 to a chap from Poland and I got the distinct impression that was getting stripped for parts too, he wasn't concerned about any of the faults (including a split exhaust manifold) and took it out of the country the very next day. You'll have a much harder time fitting the reverse camera without the TV though, but theres a great thread on Audi World where one of the guys there adds the missing components to the control head I think it is http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2844989 which is well worth a read.

I actually live down in Tonbridge, but work in Bexley/Dartford, so I'm afraid the Eversley Avenue D3 isn't me. I didn't spot the wheels, just the colour and a similar looking number plate (couldn't read it in the rear view mirror) and thought it looked familiar. There does seem to be a few D3 around SE london and kent but never ones that I recognise, and it just wouldn't be cool to wave at them would it......like this !

[M-A8]

It could be for spares or conversion which is very popular as well, one, used cars here are very cheap, well, they loose value quickly where back there cars keep their value, two, as used parts market is huge therefore doing conversion is easy and fairly cheap.

Anyway. I am around Bexley as I lived there for years until 3 years ago when I had to move to SE due to work, plus my daughter attends school in Bexley and I work for Bexley on top of it, but as I'm the co-founder of new Dartford Round Table, I spend a lot of time in the area, plus lots of mates lives in Dartford and Kent area and we do attend various events mainly in Kent.

Next time you see me don't be shy to and I will

About the camera, I do like some of the gadgets but I'm kind of a old fashion guy, I'm more focused on the look and especially exhaust sound, big fan of V8s , I'm not against it, but thankfully I'm missing stuff which isn't that important to me, TV and camera and acc, got kessy, bt, vc etc which are more use to me. I'm good with just the parking aid and my spacial awareness
But saying that, I like adding stuff for pure joy and satisfaction, just don't have that much spare time in last few months.

I would rather spend 400quid on a gearbox remap than on a tv lets say