A8 Parts Forum - D3 - Retrofit Bluetooth to Replace Fixed Handset

Fitted my unit this morning with the assistance of the instructions from the OP.

Thought I would add some pictures for the benefit of others; I don't know about you but I much prefer a visual reference - maybe that's just me.

The wiring is as per the OPs instructions, so I wont repeat them here.

I think this job is much easier with the chair out the way - so start by unbolting the passenger seat.

Slide the chair right back and remove the plastic covers off the end of each rail. These have a little circular tab holding them on the inboard side of the rails. get your fingers or screwdriver underneath these and pop them free. Then insert screwdriver at the top and gently push forward (for front, backwards for rear). Obviously move seat forward and repeat process for two more bolts on rear.

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You can see better in this pic they're slotted - take care to align properly when refitting. This one has been squished by someone a little at some point (not me, honest!)

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Once seat unbolted move to roughly the centre and tilt the back as far forward as it'll come - them simply tilt the entire chair backwards so it leans on the rear bench - it'll be plenty out your way by that point.

Next the sill trim comes off. You can see in this pic the two locating holes in the chassis. these are next to the silver tabs for the metal plate - note that one of my clips has remains in the hole at the front. See the blue trim by my right knee has a clip hole in it too. Lift it from the back, only gently it comes easily, and as it comes up towards the front it comes back slightly to remove.

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You can then pull up the carpet. See the above pic there is a vent in the middle of the floor - note the carpet is split at this point. Untuck the carpet from the trim by my right knee and then peel it out from the vent. It's only tucked in, curl the carpet back towards the front of the car to remove from the vent.

You can then pull the carpet up to reveal the plastic black box that the telecoms box is in.

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My box wasn't bolted down but it does sit on some threaded studs. you're going to want to pull the box up at the nearest the chair and the centre side to move it out as it's tucked under the sill very slightly which stops you from opening the lid.

Once you've lifted it there are two tabs on either side and two clips at the rear side. Undo the tabs (they are brittle, one of mine broke but it's no great loss). Then undo the clips at the rear side. The lid the hinges towards the front of the car. I just unclipped the lid from the hinges and set it aside for ease.

You're then free to manipulate the old unit however you wish.

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Remove the wiring harness first to prevent anything shorting or browning out. Then remove the MOST and antenna cables. Lift the box free from the car.

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See on the left of the photo there is a tab that holds the old telecoms unit in place, as it tucks under a lip on the right side. You have to get pretty darn firm with it to remove but go big on it and it will come out.

Next wiring.

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Old block in my fingers, new block just above my hand. Wiring locations are covered by OP so follow those. To remove the pins from the old block poke the bottom hole which has a barb on the connector and pull gently up from the block. I poked with a safety pin. Obviously unless you disconnected the battery (I didn't, naughtly me!) be careful not to short the positive wire. The rest aren't a great concern but take care regardless.

The barb on the pin doesn't get used on the new block, the connector has a rib in the body that once the block is inserted holds the pins in the block, so don't worry about folding the barb back out.

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This pic again.... Yep, that's because that's actually the 'new' box in place not the original. Note that the BT antenna has to sit to the front of the car as the rubber grommet for the wiring harness fouls otherwise.

At this point I hit the ignition and rebooted the MMI to see if it was all OK. It was and I could pair my phone, so anything else would just be VCDS programming and I can bolt her back up.

In that case you can fit the base of the box back up and reconnect the lid.

As in most scenarios refitting is the reverse of the above.

Don't seal the box lid until you've seated the base of the box and located the grommet correctly, then snap the lid shut. Then proceed normally.

Probably only other thing I would add is that the plastic edges on the box and things around it can be a bit harsh, I've got a cut and couple of grazes from a bit of man handling of it - not that I'm being a pussy about the situation but if you've got a lighter coloured interior don't bleed on it!

Enjoy.