iPod Ashtray install - INSTRUCTIONS (Caution - big pics)

[NS2000X]

I am not sure if this is tech section worthy, so book mark it.
If it is tech section worthy, mods please feel free to move this there.




Equipment
· Right Angle Adapter

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=274%2D903

· 3rd Generation iPod Dock & iPod (will also work with iPod mini - note it will be a lot easier to fit the iPod mini dock)
· 1/8" Mini à RCA (male) Audio Cable (~3ft)
· Blitzsafe Auxiliary Audio Connector

Tools
Ashtray Mod
· Dremel & Cutting Bit
o (Or Hacksaw & Drill will work - did for me but I would rather use a dremel)
· 9 or 10 mm socket or wrench (to remove ashtray bolts - I can't recall which right now)
· Needle Nose Pliers
· Stanley Knife / Craft knife
· File

Blitzsafe Install
· Audi/VW Radio Removal Keys (x4)
· Phillips Screw Driver
· Metal "Sacrificial" Coat Hanger
· Electrical Tape


Part 1
Blitzsafe Install

Yeahboz posted by far the best Blitzsafe adapter installation instructions I have seen.

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/218162.phtml


This step can be completed before you are ready to do the ashtray mod. This was my temporary setup:



Part 2
Ashtray Removal

A4-Freddy posted a break down of the Ashtray.

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/115741.phtml


My Version of Instructions:

1) Pull the leather shift boot away from the trim as indicated in the pic below


2) Repeat on the opposite side and pull shift boot up out of the way.
3) The trim piece is clipped at all four corners - simply place your hands under the trim piece and pull directly up at each corner until it comes un-clipped.
4) Slide the trim piece up and over the shifter and put aside.
5) Remove the insulating foam (shaped like a U) from around the shifter linkage
6) Un-bolt the two bolts holding the ashtray in.

At this point if you are doing this at the same time the radio is out, things will be simple.
If you have the radio tools take the radio out!

7) Remove radio & Climate Control
8) Then remove ashtray.

If you aren't able to remove the radio & climate control, be careful not to scratch anything, and...........good luck.
(NOTE: I removed and replaced the ashtray without taking the radio out again, but I swore and drew a little blood - nothing broke however)


Part 3
Ashtray Modification

What you need to do here is "simply" cut a rectangle out of the front part of the ashtray.

My Instructions:

1) Remove the Inner Ashtray piece and store it some place for when you finally sell your car / trade her back in. The beauty of this mod is that if you take the iPod dock out later on, placing the inner ashtray back in. The car will look & feel like stock.
2) Using the dremel / hacksaw, cut two slots in the front of the ashtray as indicated in the pics below: (Centre the iPod dock and cut a close fit)




3) Then finish the removal of the piece by cutting between the two slots.


4) Try the dock in the new slot to check the width - widen if necessary (use file)
5) Cut a groove for the audio cable to pass through next to the dock

6) Using the Stanley knife / cutting knife, carefully remove the rubber casing from the right angle adapter (be sure not to cut any wires ).


IMPORTANT

7) Go and grab the trim piece that you put aside when removing the ashtray.
8) Plug the right angle adapter in to the back of the iPod dock
9) Place the iPod dock in the new slot and push it right to the back of the ashtray so that the adapter behind it is pressed against the back of the ashtray (this is going to be tight - hence the need to remove the rubber from the right angle adapter)
10) Clip the trim piece in to the two slots to simulate everything reinstalled in your car (slots in pic below)

11) The dock will press against the trim piece a little. Be sure to Tilt the dock, so that the adapter is low and the front is high (this will help with the angle of the iPod once installed so is not a draw back)
12) You can make a "tiny" bit more room by bending up the little chromed tabs under the trim piece.
13) If everything fits and you can open and close the ashtray with the dock installed you are good to go.


Part 4
Replace the Ashtray in the car.

Instructions:

Do everything in reverse order to Part 2.
Don't put the insulation or trim piece back on yet!

Part 5
Route Audio Cable and hook everything up.

In Part 1, you routed the audio cable from behind the stereo down in to the passenger foot well, using the coat hanger.

1) Now with the shift boot up and the trim piece still uninstalled. Again using the coat hanger, thread the audio cable up from the passenger foot well underneath the trim until it comes out near the shifter.

2) I ran the audio cable as far from the shifter as I could (The cable ran in a big U shape, starting at the top right, and down towards the cig lighter, across in front of the e-brake, then forward to the ashtray.)
3) Plug the audio cable in to the right angle adapter
4) Place the audio cable in the groove you cut in the side of the ashtray
5) Tighten any slack
6) Place the dock in the ashtray
7) Replace the Insulation (using it to cover the audio cable)
8) Replace the trim piece
9) Clip the shift boot back on.
10) Open and close the Ashtray a few times.
11) Grin.
12) Connect iPod
13) Pick fav. playlist and go for a drive!

End Results:





If you have completed this and you are wondering what the needle nose pliers are for count yourself lucky.
If the springs on the side of the ashtray pop out, say when you have just got the ashtray back in..... Yep. Happend to me, the cover got knocked off and the spring dropped way down there.

I hope this helps some people.

NS2000X

[boysan]

[Vinny-AUDIA4]

make the deck input signal?

[NS2000X]

www.enfig.com

Christian,
replied to my e-mails promptly and the adapter was received the same week the order was placed.

NS2000X

[Gumbo]

Thanks for the awesome writeup.

[Avantadrive_Original]

i dare say that's better than my setup now, and if i don't use the ashtray for another mod, i'll try this out...
QUESTION though... instead using the right angle adapter, and cutting part of it off, why not just drill a hole right through the back of the ash tray at the point where the jack is in back of the iPod holder, and run your stereo plug in through that? this would seem easier...

[NS2000X]

The mechanism that swivels the ashtray lid around, passes right behind this part. There would not be enough room without interfering with the oporation of the ashtray lid.

NS2000X

[Avantadrive_Original]

[MrVegas]

What a cool install. Great work!

I just wish it would work on a headunit that has XM radio.

Does your headunit have the in dash 6 disk changer?

[NS2000X]

My headunit is a Symphany II, so has an "in headunit" 6 disc changer. Much like any other Quattro A4.

The Blitzsafe Adapter, makes use of the input that would usually be used by an external (glove box) mounted Audi CD Changer (that would bring the total to 12 CDs).

I don't know anything about XM Radio (I'm in Canada). Does it uses this same input?

I would have thought that your Headunit still has an input for an external Audi CD Changer, that can be used.

NS2000X