Open up center dash A3 . opening dash board

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-17-2006, 02:11 PM

First remove the card tray. But pressing down on two tabs with a tiny flat head from an eyeglass repair kit.

Take an upclose look at what you're dealing with (more on this in my signature CARD TRAY REMOVED, installation of OEM cup holder in it's place).

White box. The trim around the hazards button, esp/airbag buttons, etc. Open the card tray, pull on the top right arrow area, then work to the left and then back over. Top first, bottom last. Easy.

Yellow box. Climate control area. This may be tough. I can't tell you how to do b/c I had my stereo out when I did it. There are two serious tabs where the yellow arrows are. Yank forward at this area, I can't see anyone breaking anything here.

Blue box. Angled panel that serves as the roof of the storage area. Once you have the climate controls off, pull back on exposed/visible tabs, 3 of them. Easy, but harder than you'd expect to re-install for some reason.

Top left button is unused and easy to just peel off, once the trim is removed. I'm really curious what we can do with this thing!

Card tray removed & Cup holder installed. OEM.

crew219 · 02-17-2006, 03:13 PM

Realized after you posted that mine doesn't light up like the rest of the car.

Dave

rektek · 02-17-2006, 03:38 PM

Mine has been loose since day one so I just removed it because I was hearing a rattle in the center dash area. I also removed everything out of my glove box, card tray and center console, but still have a rattle. I have a dealer appt next week, but may try to pull radio etc to see what's going on.

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-17-2006, 04:28 PM

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-17-2006, 04:31 PM

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-17-2006, 04:48 PM

exactly. the card tray doesn't illuminate the symbol. But in europe I guess the cup holder does. wonder what other gizmos can replace the tray??

Waggin · 02-17-2006, 10:00 PM

Switch would go in leftmost spot. I'm trying to find out if the wiring is in the harness..

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-18-2006, 08:43 AM

The rear of the switch indicates we should be able to use it, it's not a dud. But there were no spare harnesses or plugs hanging out behind the panel. I had the radio out, everything, with a powerful light, didn't see anything.

I remember seeing your posts on this before, good luck! Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Maybe the next time I'm removing my head unit I'll do some more r+d.

RyanA3 [C30 v2] · 02-18-2006, 11:28 AM

I grabbed the removed card tray from the garage. There is housing for a harness. A track for the wiring. But no wiring or harness. IMO it would be VERY tough or impossible to install the wiring in the U.S. card tray. I would check if there is a Euro card tray if you were serious about wanting it to light up.

Waggin · 02-18-2006, 12:35 PM

Plus, it seems that the instrument pod is different too.
I wish Audi offered it as an opton/SO on the 06 models.
I suppose I can install a SmarTire system again and pay $50 every time a tire shop busts a sensor..

02-17-2006, 02:11 PM	#1
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	Open up center dash A3 . opening dash board First remove the card tray. But pressing down on two tabs with a tiny flat head from an eyeglass repair kit. Take an upclose look at what you're dealing with (more on this in my signature CARD TRAY REMOVED, installation of OEM cup holder in it's place). White box. The trim around the hazards button, esp/airbag buttons, etc. Open the card tray, pull on the top right arrow area, then work to the left and then back over. Top first, bottom last. Easy. Yellow box. Climate control area. This may be tough. I can't tell you how to do b/c I had my stereo out when I did it. There are two serious tabs where the yellow arrows are. Yank forward at this area, I can't see anyone breaking anything here. Blue box. Angled panel that serves as the roof of the storage area. Once you have the climate controls off, pull back on exposed/visible tabs, 3 of them. Easy, but harder than you'd expect to re-install for some reason. Top left button is unused and easy to just peel off, once the trim is removed. I'm really curious what we can do with this thing! Card tray removed & Cup holder installed. OEM. __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-17-2006, 03:13 PM	#2
crew219 Member Account #: 74688 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,924	Ryan, is there any plug or input for lighting on the stock card holder? Realized after you posted that mine doesn't light up like the rest of the car. Dave __________________ tyranny and anarchy are never far apart

02-17-2006, 03:38 PM	#3
rektek New Member Account #: 102921 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 29	Ryan, what's the plastic cover just forward of the ashtray.... Mine has been loose since day one so I just removed it because I was hearing a rattle in the center dash area. I also removed everything out of my glove box, card tray and center console, but still have a rattle. I have a dealer appt next week, but may try to pull radio etc to see what's going on.

02-17-2006, 04:28 PM	#4
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	no there isn't anything on the tray. or any wiring back there, that I could see. __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-17-2006, 04:31 PM	#5
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	haven't removed that yet. __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-17-2006, 04:48 PM	#6
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	Re: no there isn't anything on the tray. or any wiring back there, that I could see. exactly. the card tray doesn't illuminate the symbol. But in europe I guess the cup holder does. wonder what other gizmos can replace the tray?? __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-17-2006, 10:00 PM	#7
Waggin AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 19040 Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 807	Did you see a spare conn for TPMS switch? Switch would go in leftmost spot. I'm trying to find out if the wiring is in the harness.. __________________ ____________________ 2006 3.2, NAV, Closed Sky, Bi-Xenon, skinny seats.

02-18-2006, 08:43 AM	#8
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	Re: Did you see a spare conn for TPMS switch? The rear of the switch indicates we should be able to use it, it's not a dud. But there were no spare harnesses or plugs hanging out behind the panel. I had the radio out, everything, with a powerful light, didn't see anything. I remember seeing your posts on this before, good luck! Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Maybe the next time I'm removing my head unit I'll do some more r+d. __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-18-2006, 11:28 AM	#9
RyanA3 [C30 v2] Member Account #: 95045 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,507	Dave: correction I grabbed the removed card tray from the garage. There is housing for a harness. A track for the wiring. But no wiring or harness. IMO it would be VERY tough or impossible to install the wiring in the U.S. card tray. I would check if there is a Euro card tray if you were serious about wanting it to light up. __________________ //// sig: Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading: 2009 A3 Pricing with Options! DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch! New cars: Old car:

02-18-2006, 12:35 PM	#10
Waggin AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 19040 Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 807	If the US models don't contain the TPMS software, it'll be a no-go.. Plus, it seems that the instrument pod is different too. I wish Audi offered it as an opton/SO on the 06 models. I suppose I can install a SmarTire system again and pay $50 every time a tire shop busts a sensor.. __________________ ____________________ 2006 3.2, NAV, Closed Sky, Bi-Xenon, skinny seats.

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