nebalt

First of all, many thanks to Christian from Enfig Car Stereo who helped me with this install. But to be honest, it is fairly straight forward and even a dummy like me can do this, especially after having installed bunch of Dice and Icelink units in all kinds of Audis.

Parts needed:
Plastic pry tools (panel poppers) from Zdmak $25
Dension Gateway 500 for Audi <a href="http://www.enfig.com">Enfig Car Stereo</a> $450
T25 Torx
Radio Removal Keys (2)
45 minutes of time

Make sure the car is turned off and the key is off the ignition before you start this installation. First we take out the CD changer (make sure it is empty) with radio removal tools as the Dension will go behind it. Next you will need to remove the hazard switch module by prying that out in order to get the CD changer out. This is needed in order to gently push up the vent housing so the CD changer can slide out.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_005.jpg">

Next we take out the glove box. I decided to keep the iPod inside the glovebox for stealth look. To take down the glovebox, five screws need to be removed. Three on top and two at the bottom. Sorry no pictures of the actual screws but they are simple enough to find.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_010.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_011.jpg">

We then ran the iPod cable through the chiller vent hole in the back of the glovebox.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_012.jpg">

And then snaked it through the side opening of the center upright console to the back of the CD changer area where the Dension Gateway will be housed.

Next we popped open the passenger side fuse box using a pry tool.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_007.jpg">

We ran the power and ground cables (harness) from the Gateway through the back of the glovebox housing to here. Using a Torx 25, we unscrewed the bottom of the fuse box to tighten the black Ground wire. The red, constant 12V, wire was hooked to empty slot # 8. We checked with a voltmeter to make sure the intended slot was 12V, and it was. In fact, any empty slot in the top row will be constant. I recommend utilizing a fuse here. I will be adding an actual fuse this weekend.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_047.jpg">

Next we ran the USB and AV (Aux) cables back through the side opening to get them to the back of the Gateway.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_023.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_025.jpg">


We successfully made these connections as well. Next we dropped the panel underneath the glovebox. When prying this out, be very careful as clips may fly out to parts unknown never to be found again. Do this gently!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_020.jpg">

I dropped this kick panel in order to screw the housing for the USB and AV (Aux) connections.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_042.jpg">

After successfully screwing the housing and popping in the USB and AV switch, I popped the panel back in its place. A lost clip was later replaced.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_043.jpg">

Next came the fiber optic connections. When handling fiber cabling, be very careful not to tweak or pinch the cables. Use extreme caution. In order to release the provided fiber cables from their respective adapters, you will need to release them from their protective adapters by pushing in the blue locking tab in the middle. The adapters will be released allowing the fiber cables for connection.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_026.jpg">

First make the connection for the car side.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_028.jpg">

And then the CDC side. Afterwards simply plug the other ends into the Gateway.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_031.jpg">

Once all the connections are made, check to make sure you have the correct DIP switch settings. For Q7 with high MMI, only #3 should be in the up (on) position with all others in down (off) position. Refer to your manual for A6 and A8 settings as those are different.

Before we put everything back together, we tested the unit to make sure it worked. AND IT WORKS!!!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/70685/q7_038.jpg">

This was a fun and easy install. The Gateway is very easy to use as you can control all of iPod's functions from the MMI's wheel. Incoming or outgoing phone calls pause and resume the Gateway after calls are completed. I highly recommend this mod for all music lovers.
I have not utilized Aux or USB cables as of yet to tell you how they work, but I understand, those are magic as well. I have since added an OEM XM module as well and that was five minutes of plug-and-play.

MY SIGNATURE BEGINS HERE!

Jusforfun

Did you get a good solid fixing?
I have seen it done slightly different whereby only the connection wires were passed in to CD player (which still required removal) everything else done from behind Glovebox.
The USB looks as if it could do with a cap!

Thanks for taking the time to make such a professional post.

nebalt

if I need to take out the CD changer for any reason, it will readily slide out with ample fiber cable slack back there. Plus, I did not want to take a chance of pinching the fiber optics from behind the glovebox. The Gateway is snug in there.

beltsander TKO

Thanks for the post... it looks easy enough!

RAD2

USB port works very well, I just have a USB Flash Drive. I have the rear DVD (vizualogic 1250) sound connected to the aux.

Jusforfun

I would be concerned about rattles.

nebalt

No bolting necessary...it is snug in there. No rattles whatsoever.

Ginseng Sniperâ„¢

Do you have more information on the XM installation? (part#'s etc...)

nebalt

all the wiring was in place for the car so this was truly plug-and-play. The unit is housed in rear passenger side. Pry/pop open the panel on the right side where the 12V power outlet is. All of the cabling is in there. Remove the fiber-optic protective adapter and plug into unit. The rest of the cables are color coded.

Bought it from eBay brand new/sealed for $212. Good luck.

Chitown Q7

...to connect the unit to the shark fin? I had to do this for my Nav install, and there was one more plug up there waiting for the Sat radio.