Help with DIY project to install DIS / Wiper Stalk

[a4Happy]

Greetings all, I just picked up my first Audi A4 (2006) after owning three previous VW Passat's. The car is wonderful and I'm very happy with it. Unfortunately however, Audi decided that the Driver Information System (DIS) trip computer should be an "option" on these vehicles in 2006/2007 that would be tied to the Technology Package or Convenience Package depending on what year vehicle you purchased. Well naturally not many Audi's have either one of these packages due to the high price, so I'm now left without the DIS trip computer which I came to love on my Passat. Long story short, I knew this before purchasing the Audi, so I negotiated with the dealer that he would order and pay for the necessary wiper stalk so I can activate the DIS trip computer. I had done a lot of forum searches and found that this wonderful little computer is just turned off in the vag-com if you don't have the wiper stalk with the rocker buttons on the end. So here is my issue. I think I have enough information now that I could possibly due the job myself, but I'm a little scared because it involves taking off the steering wheel air-bag. I have yet to find a really good DIY write-up that is specific to adding the wiper stalk on a B7 A4 here in the US. I have found stuff for an A3 in the US, an A6 that replaces the wiper/cruise/turn signal, and similar stuff for Europe where amazingly they don't have cruise control as a standard option which changes the actual install slightly. I have contacted a good Audi shop that is going to do an APR ECU flash for me, and they are willing to put the wiper stalk in after they do a little research. They will probably end up charging me the same amount as what it will cost me to purchase a Ross-Tech Vag-Com for my vehicle (about $200-$250) to get the job done. I like the idea of doing it myself because I'll get a vag-com out of the deal so I can do more stuff myself. However, I like the idea of the Audi/APR shop doing it because it involves the air bag. So, what do you guys think I should do? Here are the forums postings I have found (in somewhat order of most useful) that show what is involved with taking the steering wheel off to add the new wiper stalk. Everyone says it is a job that takes about 1 1/2 hrs, so it almost makes it sound like it is not that big of a deal? Should I do the job myself and get a nice tool out of the deal, or let the Pro's do it because it involves the air bag? Thanks for any help... http://www.harddrive.plus.com/Docume...%20Control.pdf http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/698745.phtml http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/.../761209/page/0 http://www.audiforums.com/m_336432/tm.htm http://www.navplus.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1881&view=previous&sid=11b748c682d 5716b13c95ecc8fd6b9d6 http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=2225482 http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=2955127 http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/...0/fpart/1/vc/1 http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/...0/fpart/2/vc/1 http://www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/...0/fpart/1/vc/1 http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1031122.phtml http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=459818

[a4Happy]

[mjposner]

Where are you located? I recall this discussed awhile ago with no definitive answer if it works.

[a4Happy]

I'm in Michigan, way up north. I've contacted a few people that have done it, so I know it is possible and I hear fairly easy. It's just a matter of either tackling it myself, or paying the Pro's to do. If it didn't involve an air-bag removal, I'd probably not even blink and just do it myself.

[hajjarfady]

Hey!! I have and audi TT 2.0T 2009, the DIS is not enabled. I'm interrested to know if you succeeded in activating it by just installing a wiper stack with a reset button in you A4.
Thanks

[pafable]

Are you just worried about the airbag removal? I have removed the airbag when I swapped out my wheel and a lot of people have done the same. Just make sure you disconnect the negative terminal on battery before starting your project.

[hajjarfady]

I'm worried that it might need some sort of software activation from the Audi dealer or an additional hardware.

[A4Audi4Fun]

Originally Posted by hajjarfady

I'm worried that it might need some sort of software activation from the Audi dealer or an additional hardware.

You should probably check with the dealer about the part number for the cluster that is currently installed to determine if it is "trip computer ready" I know VCDS is required to enable the computer portion if it hadn't already been done. That's what was needed with my cluster on my 2008 A4 Avant.