Possible Electric Blind Retrofit

[steamship]

Would like to retrofit the rear blinds to my 01 FL D2 as it's something I can afford to do. The issue is I can't find a guide anywhere on how to retrofit them, other than partial references to it when carrying out other work. I've had a look on eBay and reckon I can source most/all of the bits from A8parts, but need to make sure that I get everything I need. Apart from the obvious rear parcel shelf with blind, the two door cards with blinds, clips for the door blinds and a switch for the dash, what else do I need? I've come across a 'rear blind control unit', which I assume is required. Any other parts required? What about wiring? Is there much involved? Any help on providing a list of parts or a rough idea of what's involved would be much appreciated.

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by steamship

Would like to retrofit the rear blinds to my 01 FL D2 as it's something I can afford to do. The issue is I can't find a guide anywhere on how to retrofit them, other than partial references to it when carrying out other work. I've had a look on eBay and reckon I can source most/all of the bits from A8parts, but need to make sure that I get everything I need. Apart from the obvious rear parcel shelf with blind, the two door cards with blinds, clips for the door blinds and a switch for the dash, what else do I need? I've come across a 'rear blind control unit', which I assume is required. Any other parts required? What about wiring? Is there much involved? Any help on providing a list of parts or a rough idea of what's involved would be much appreciated.

I'm sure there was a write up on here about it. I have done it but i'm PF so all wires were there so all i needed to do was plug it all in.
I'd think you'd need to run wires from the front to rear but IT would be able to confirm that, if you do then it's carpet up, not difficult but going to take a while. Don't know what the control unit is?

[Architex_mA8tey]

Yes Mkoneman and myself did a retrofit rear blind on my FL d2 and we had to run the cables back to the front of the car to the switch position. He used correctly coloured audi wring for the OEM look and it was a bit of a gaff but certainly do-able. You are correct in your list of parts but I think that the blind control unit you're talking about comes as part of the rear shelf underneath it and is the motor and controller for the rear electric blind itself.

[steamship]

Just on a follow-up to this question I posed before, which Architex_mA8tey or Mkoneman could probably help with.

Now that I've had the gas conversion done on the car, does retrofitting the rear blind involve any work or access requirements from the boot area, as mine is now rather cramped:



If it can still be done, any help on the cabling required would be a bonus, as that is probably my biggest concern to doing it right.

[mannyo]

I think its all done from the inside, so you should be fine.

I don't envy what you'd need to remove to get access to the fuel pump if it dies.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by mannyo

I think its all done from the inside, so you should be fine.

I don't envy what you'd need to remove to get access to the fuel pump if it dies.

Oh, cheer me up why don't you Don't talk to me about fuel pumps. I have a 2001 A4 2.5 QS sitting outside that's been off the road for months (hence I now have the A8). Finally appeared to have everything fixed and in order, but can't bleed the bleeder. Followed instructions in Elsawin but still airlocked. Off to buy a suction pump tomorrow.

Will have to see if a8parts can do me a deal on all the bits for the blinds.

[Goran]

Originally Posted by steamship

Just on a follow-up to this question I posed before, which Architex_mA8tey or Mkoneman could probably help with.

Now that I've had the gas conversion done on the car, does retrofitting the rear blind involve any work or access requirements from the boot area, as mine is now rather cramped:



If it can still be done, any help on the cabling required would be a bonus, as that is probably my biggest concern to doing it right.

Unfortunately yes. You will need to unbolt the speakers, from the boot, as they need to be unplugged and removed to remove the rear parcel shelf.
To access these screws you need to remove the plastic speaker covers attached to the boot roof.
Also, the frame carrying the rear blind is bolted to the boot roof, so you will need to unbolt it from the boot. There should be 3 nuts to remove.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by Goran

Unfortunately yes. You will need to unbolt the speakers, from the boot, as they need to be unplugged and removed to remove the rear parcel shelf.
To access these screws you need to remove the plastic speaker covers attached to the boot roof.
Also, the frame carrying the rear blind is bolted to the boot roof, so you will need to unbolt it from the boot. There should be 3 nuts to remove.

Cheers for that. If it ever dries up, I'll have to look in the boot to see if I can access the speaker bolts, and have a look for where the bolts for the blind would go. I have a copy of Elsawin so will check in that as well.

[HPsauce]

I had my parcel shelf speakers out a while back when I was checking out the poor bass sound.
IIRC once you've got the plastic covers off (which you have already) there are a couple of screws to loosen slightly so that the retaining latches can be swivelled out of the way, then the speakers just lift out from above.
Obviously the plugs need to come off too.
I didn't look closely at the fixings for the blind so can't say if you need access underneath to retain it, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I'd say that gas tank would be seriously in the way - I was lying on my back with my head right up behind the seat to see the fixings.

That big lump under the parcel shelf inboard of the right speaker is where the motor etc. for the rear blind sits.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

I'd say that gas tank would be seriously in the way - I was lying on my back with my head right up behind the seat to see the fixings.

'How hard can it be?' - Will probably put my back out (again) checking I can access everything, even before I attempt it.