which upgrades would you suggest for a d2 prefacelift

[RanjS8]

Hi guys

I m gona be pulling my dash to solve an air con problem.....

Before I do so....which upgrades would you suggest....currently I do not have double din sat nav....and mfsw.....these were just two that come mind....but what else would you guys suggest

[IT]

Pulling the dash out is easy peasy.

Its putting it back in thats the pain...

Sat Nav, MFSW are all do-able with dash in. In fact, you're better off having the dash in for those, or you'll end up running wires everywhere and wont be able to get the dash back in

The only upgrade that cannot be done without removing the dashboard is a heated front screen....

[RanjS8]

Your advice is duly noted Ian....funnily enough I do need a new windscreen lol....so could you tell me what would i need to fit the heated windscreen please....plus could you give me a basic step by step of pulling the dash....or just point me in the right direction....

[IT]

Just realised, you are preface - Was heated screen available PF... not sure it was...

In which case you're HVAC module wont support it.

Which is a shame, coz its a 'simple' fit.

You need a heated screen, and a heated screen control module which sits in the boot above the battery. Two wires from battery to module, and two wires from that to front screen. one wire from HVAC control unit to Windscreen unit and voila.

Dash out is a real pain. Steering wheel off, transmission tunner covers off, glovebox out, armrests off, center console out, radio out, HVAC unit out, speedo out, passenger airbag out.

You'll need to remove the front two seats so you can lie down on the floor flat for the next bit.

Next, you need to hunt for a whole load of really awkward Torx bolts that bolt the dashboard to the car from the underside going upwards. Getting them out is tough, getting them back in will be a real challenge.

I wouldnt do it. And I've done alsorts !

[Singh]

Ranj - Sell the S4, and the A8. Buy a 4.2 TDI A8, map it. Job done.

It will be quicker, more economical and more comfortable then both and you can't use both at the same time. Or buy a facelift D2 S8, no point wasting time upgrading the old PF A8 for the gearbox to go 1000 miles later. You know it makes sense.

[darrenjoe90]

I agree with amar about buying a face lift d2 S8 and i know just the one that already has a heated windscreen

[notorious]

Originally Posted by IT

The only upgrade that cannot be done without removing the dashboard is a heated front screen....

Retrofitting heated windscreen with dash in place is no problem at all.

Heated windscreen comes with 4 wires. Two from top of the winscreen and two from bottom corners. Top two are connected to wires with +42v from transformer in the boot. Connecting them is easy since two top wires go directly into headlamp area.


There are two bottom wires in each corner. They go to ground connection of transformer in the boot.


Connecting them is even easier than top wires since when a-pillar trims are out there is a good niche there to arrange a connection. There is about square inch hole connecting that niche with footwell areas on right and left.


I think biggest challenge in windscreen retrofit is snaking wires to boot as this is rear seats out job.

[ToreBj]

Originally Posted by notorious

Top two are connected to wires with +42v from transformer in the boot. Connecting them is easy since two top wires go directly into headlamp area.

How did you route the wires to the headlamp area?

[notorious]

I routed them via A-pillar which you have to remove anyway to cut existing windscreen.This is not standard place for those wires.

The standard route is via B-billar and then behind headliner. There is special plastic thing where b-pillar meets headliner specifically designed for wires not to stand on the way of curtain airbag when it deploys. You will need to lower headliner a bit if you go this path and whole b-pillar trim should be out, which is rear seats out job. I think you'll need to do it anyway as you're routing wires to boot.

If you decide to go via a-pillar you'll have to route wires near airbag. Make sure you route wires in such a way that when airbag deploys it will not throw wire into passenger.

Make sure you purchase upper clips for a-pillar trim, which are designed to control airbag deployment. You'll most probably damage them when you remove a-pillar trim.

Did you ever remove a-pillar trim? Removing a-pillar trim deserves a separate article. It is very easy to damage a-pillar trim because of that idiotic airbag clip. A-pillar trim can 'crease' in the middle and that 'wrinkle' will always be right near your nose when you drive, always reminding about mistake.

If you find windscreen specialist who can cut windscreen without removing a-pillar trims and without damaging them / making them dirty I'd suggest going that path and route wires via b-pillar without completely removing a-pillar trim. Pay bonus premium to windscreen specialist. It'll be easier than finding good a-pillar trim without crease. They are only available from audi tradition shop not in all color combinations and cost about £150 each. Used ones are all damaged/creased as people don't know how to remove them properly.

Apologies if it sounds confusing.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by notorious

Connecting them is even easier than top wires since when a-pillar trims are out there is a good niche there to arrange a connection. There is about square inch hole connecting that niche with footwell areas on right and left.

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I have a query about the plug in the picture. Having read the thread, I suspect I already know the answer but will ask anyway.

I noticed the ends of these plugs poking out of the bottom of the A pillars. I also have a spec list from the Erwin site which shows my car has (had) a heated windscreen (PDB). Since I can see these plugs, can I assume that the windscreen has been replaced at some point with a non-heated one?