[Biturbos4] Audi Ash tray/CD removal issue.

Tue Mar 22 10:35:19 EST 2005

These are the tools I refer to at crutchfield for removing the radio:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mU6ioTKN3XD/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=120869001&id=morephotos&a=&s=0&cc=01&g=754

I don't expect them to be useful for much else.

I've not tried removing the cup holder.  I will have a look at the manual 
and see if it says anything.

wilson

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005, Yu-Tai Chung wrote:

> 
> Great advise, Thank you for posting, I do have a related question.  I have the
> 2000 A6 2.7T above the raido, there is the cup holder on the passenger side and
> change holder on the driver side.  I know in the a4 instead of the change
> holder there are buttons for fog lights etc... 
> 
> My question is have you ever taken out the cup holder or change holder? my
> change holder is stuck.. the only way to get it out I tried a credit card and
> slide it under the face plate and then tug on the credit card and it would
> slide out easily.. but it seem to be caught on the lip of the face plate... 
> 
> So i was thinking maybe i can replace the change holder with another cup
> holder... 
> 
> I've seen tools that are almost like a file with curved end to remove trim ...
> is this the same tool as the one on crutchfield? 
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> yu-tai
> 
> On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 23:30:43, northrup wrote:
> 
> > 
> > Hello Tom.
> > 
> > Saw you posted to both the UrS4 and BiTurbo lists.   I  had a look at the 
> > bently, and there is no shortcut for you, but alas, all is not as bad as 
> > it seems. 
> > 
> > People will tell you that removing the radio, the climate control and the 
> > ash tray is a huge problem, but alas, it is not!  have no fear, but DO 
> > HAVE radio removal tools.    For me, i purchased them at crutchfield.com, 
> > but you can get them lots of places.   
> > 
> > I actually took some pictures, but for now all i have to offer is text.  I 
> > will try to locate those photos, and post them for you.
> > 
> > For now, these will have to do:
> > http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/boostgauge/boostgauge.html
> > 
> > only thing is, at least one of these is photos is not correct.  Please 
> > read.
> > 
> > 
> > First, you'll need to remove the radio.  If you are like me, you are very 
> > concerned about the CODE for the radio.  Fortunately, you can actually 
> > remove the radio and go to the next step without disconnecting any cables.   
> > This is what i did, and what i suggest.  If you konw your radio unlock 
> > code, then maybe have nothing to worry about there.
> > 
> > So, on with the instructions.
> > 
> > Overview: you'll need to start from the radio and work your way down.  
> > This is what is indicated in the manual, and it is the easiest way to do 
> > what you want.  Now that i've  done it, i can probably complete this task 
> > in about 10 minutes.   The first time i did it, i went very slowly, had 
> > lots of bad advice, and it took me much longer because i was very 
> > concnered about breaking anything.   
> > 
> > 1. insert 4 radio keys into the Symphony radio, until they click.  once 
> > they click you are good, or screwed, depending on how you look at it.  I 
> > say this because once they click you have to pull the radio out in order 
> > to retrieve your tools.   if you try this with only two tools, you'll be 
> > driving around with tools in your radio, until you get another two tools!    
> > I have heard some were able to do this with nail files, but i don't 
> > recommend that route.   The tools are not THAT expensive, but it was 
> > annoying to hvae to buy them.  
> > 
> > Once the radio starts to come out,  pause and ensure everything looks 
> > good.  Now, ensure the car can not roll anywhere, ebrake on, chocks if you 
> > have them and move the gear shifter back. 
> > 
> > Get out of the driver seat if you are sitting there, slide it foward. put 
> > a cloth or something protective on it, as the radio will be sitting there 
> > shortly.  You may want that cloth to drape on to the center console as 
> > well to protect it from scratches.   The radio is metal.
> > 
> > Now, in the passenger seat, pull the radio out some more.  You'll be able 
> > to see what is locking your tools in place.  Unlock them and remove them 
> > from the radio.  you won't need them again until next time. 
> > 
> > Take the radio out, slowly tilt in and put it on the driver seat/center 
> > console.  there should be enough slack in the wires.  If not, you'll have 
> > to rig something up to hold the radio such that there is no tension.
> > 
> > Now, you're looking at the top of the climate control.  There are two 
> > metal tabs which you will need to push back.  see here:
> > 
> > http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/boostgauge/dsc01460.jpg
> > 
> > Next, the climate control needs to come out, but not all the way. If you 
> > have heated seats, you'll have to release them from the panel -carefully. 
> > these have very thin metal clips that are easy to damage.
> > 
> > To get the climate control out, DO NOT DO THIS:
> > http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/boostgauge/dsc01462.jpg
> > 
> > Instead the bently manual specificaly states to reach your hand in behind 
> > the radio and with a few fingers placed in the middle, just pull it toward 
> > the rear of the car.  The climate control may not move at first, but a 
> > little libral pressure and it should come right out as designed by Audi 
> > engineers.  Peice of cake.
> > 
> > You can easily and without cncern take out the connectors in the back of 
> > the climate control and remove the assembly.  each of them are keyed and 
> > can only fit in one place. 
> > 
> > Now, at this stage, you sohuld have complete access to the ash tray.  
> > resolve your CD issue.
> > 
> > Note: while yo have the climate control out, if the buttons are not 
> > operating perfectly, now is the time to clean it.   Too often people say 
> > to spray solvent and other goo into the buttons to clean out the crud that 
> > is inside.   A 6 MM torx driver will remove the front panel.  Take that 
> > panel off and let it sit in hot water (i left mine over night). It's just 
> > plastic and aluminum. nothing to rust.    Upon reassembly, every button 
> > clicks beautifly, as it did when the car was new. 
> > 
> > Reassemble in reverse order (Though i recommend sitting the radio back in 
> > it's slot and not leaving it on the seat for a long period of time. note 
> > that you can wait to click everything back into the final resting location 
> > until the last minute.  
> > 
> > Anyway, i can have this whole area removed in less time then it took me to 
> > type this out, and I type pretty quickly :)  It's not a big deal, you just 
> > need those radio keys and a small flat head screwdriver to resolve your CD 
> > issue.
> > 
> > Be well, and let me know if you have any questions.
> > 
> > wilson '00s4
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
> > 
> > 
> 
> Yu-Tai Chung
> 23 Carnegie Bldg
> University Park, Pa
> 16802
> 