Help for auto shifter dis-assembly or tiptronic help?

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 12:45 PM

I am wondering if anyone has a DIY for taking apart the center console of the dash to get into the shifter assembly of an automatic.

My tiptronic doesn't seem to work so well, and I'm sure it's attributed to the previous owner who probably spilled soda or something sticky inside. Wondering if there's a switch or mechanism I can get to inside to clean it up!

If not.. can anyone give me suggestions on why the tiptronic would have just crapped out on me?

Thanks in Advance!

**schmally** · 08-20-2009 01:00 PM

there is a magnetic switch in there that wears out and goes bad.... thats why tip doesnt work... There should be a DIY in here somewhere... Good luck . I cant help much with tearing it down

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 01:33 PM

Awesome.. will start looking... I figured it was due to the sticky mess of the P.O.

**SPRX** · 08-20-2009 01:41 PM

Hope this will help... I can post other chapters separatelly if you need

Removing and installing rear centre console
1 - Rear centre console
Removing
– Remove rear vent and rear air duct connection piece → Chapter.
– Remove centre armrest if necessary → Chapter.
– Unscrew nut -3-.
– Lift out lining mat -2-.
– Unscrew bolt -8-.
Manual gearbox:
– Twist off gear stick knob -4-.
– Unclip boot -5- upwards.
– Unclip centre console insert -6- upwards.
– Removing and installing gear stick knob -4- and boot -5-, MY 2002> → Chapter
Automatic gearbox:
– Unclip centre console insert -6- upwards.
– Unscrew bolts -7- (2x).
– Remove handbrake lever trim → Chapter.
– Raise front of rear centre console -1- and unplug connector for mirror adjustment switch -9-.
– Fully apply handbrake.
– Disengage trim -10- at retainer tab -11- of handbrake lever.
– Lift rear centre console -1- over stud -12- and pull centre console to rear.
– Take out rear centre console -1- to front over handbrake lever.
Installing
– Engage trim -10- at retainer tab -11- of handbrake lever.
– On installing rear centre console -1-, pay attention to correct positioning of air ducts.
2 - Lining mat
3 - Nut
Tightening torque 10 Nm
4 - Gear stick knob
Screwed on
Removing and installing, MY 2002> → Chapter
5 - Boot
Unclip upwards.
On installation, pay attention to position of engaging clips.
Removing and installing, MY 2002> → Chapter
6 - Centre console insert
7 - Bolts (2x)
Tightening torque 5 Nm
8 - Bolt (1x)
Tightening torque 5 Nm
9 - Mirror adjustment switch
10 - Handbrake lever trim
11 - Retainer tab
12 - Stud

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 01:45 PM

Excellent!!! This is A+++

Now I have to figure out how this tiptronic magnet works... :) I've been reading a few posts, but only one has a picture of a B5 A4 and showing one side there's a magnet where the plastic bezel is by the shifter.

**SPRX** · 08-20-2009 01:52 PM

Do you need Shifter mechanism dismantling and assembly?
And what car is it for? I thought you are talking about A6...

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 02:21 PM

That picture looks like the A6 picture.

Yes, it looks like I have to get into the shifter assembly and find these magnets. The key search term was "tiptronic magnet" and there's a TON of stuff for B5 application, but I then needed to figure out how to take apart the A6 console since it's different.

Although SPRX.. do you have one for AUTOMATIC? :) It's close enough so that I can get going though..

**SPRX** · 08-20-2009 02:49 PM

Dismantling and assembling selector mechanism (assembly sequence)
Dismantling – Remove selector mechanism → Chapter
– Shift selector lever into position “N”.
– Remove retaining clips -20- from selector housing -15- and loosen the 4 bolts -17-.
– Lift off frame -9-.
– Shift selector lever to position “D”.
– Pull actuating lever for locking cable -27- upwards out of its bearing and remove actuating lever from selector housing.
– Pull out locking plates -8- downwards.
NoteThe locking plates -8- have different thicknesses (note installation position and mark accordingly if necessary). The thicker locking plate must be re-installed at the rear.
– Using a screwdriver, press out bearing bushes -7- towards the outside.
– Remove complete selector lever assembly.
– Press out pin -24- for locking pawl -25- towards the inside, using a drift.
– Using a suitable blunt tool, carefully press out solenoid -26- from below through aperture in selector housing.
NoteDo not pull on plug contact. Risk of breakage.
– Carefully lever buffer -11- out of selector housing from outside.
– Drive out both pivot pins -19- for cable lever -13- from inside, using a punch.
– Pull cable lever upwards out of selector housing.
– Detach coupling -14- from cable lever.
– Unclip detent plate -12- from cable lever.
Assembling
Assembly is carried out in reverse sequence; note the following:
– Clip coupling -14- into cable lever -13-.
– Clip detent plate -12- into cable lever -13-.
– Slide cable lever with detent plate into selector housing -15- from above. Ensure correct position when installing (not reversed).
– Drive both pivot pins -19- for cable lever from outside into selector housing as far as stop.
– Push buffer -11- into corresponding mount in selector housing.
– Push selector lever lock solenoid -26- together with locking pawl into selector housing from above.
– Carefully drive in pin -24- for locking pawl -25- from outside.
– Install complete selector lever assembly in selector housing.
– Engage selector lever in cable lever at top and bottom.
– Use a screwdriver to check that the locking pawl is properly engaged when the selector lever is in positions “P” and “N”.
– Push the two bearing bushes -7- for the selector lever into the selector housing from the front and rear respectively. Note ribs in mounting holes.
– Fit locking plates -8- for bearing bushes in selector housing so that their angled ends face inwards.
NoteThe locking plates -8- have different thicknesses (note installation position and mark accordingly if necessary). The thicker locking plate must be re-installed at the rear.
– Shift selector lever to position “D”.
– Fit actuating lever for locking cable in selector housing so you feel it engage in both pivot bearings.
– Shift selector lever into “P” position.
– Check function of actuating lever for locking cable.
l With the selector lever in position“P”, the lever should engage in the detent plate and lock the selector mechanism.
– Fit buffer -23- together with O-ring -22- in shift bearing -21-.
– Push shift bearing -21- all the way onto its seat in the selector housing, starting from the inside.
– Shift selector lever into position “N”.
– Fit frame -9- on selector housing from above and secure using the four bolts -17-.
– Fit retaining clips -20- into selector housing from outside.
– Install selector mechanism → Chapter.

But I woldn't do it if you don't have enough experience. If you know what you are doing, then there you go...

**SPRX** · 08-20-2009 02:51 PM

Although SPRX.. do you have one for AUTOMATIC? :) It's close enough so that I can get going though..

And for automatic it's the same procedure as for manual, just disregard "manual gerbox" section of manual... Oh yes, if you planning to take it apart, you'll need to remove it. To do that, you'll need access to belly of your car...

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 07:01 PM

I'm just curious now if I have to take the arm rest apart or I can peel off the surrounding bezel before taking the chrome part (with the PRD21N)

On the A4's it seems that you peel it apart. I have the wood trim and I was pushing at it and prying a little on the way home and it was pretty solid. I don't see clips/screws in the diagram though for that part.

Although if I am missing a magnet, I will have to take it all apart to look for it :)

**Mantis** · 08-20-2009 07:38 PM

Actually dont put it in N put it in 3, I recently pulled mine out, I tried on my own, then consulted Bentley, they recommend putting it in position 3, and it worked, ps, that top knob is a bitch to pull off, gotta use lots of force, just make sure you pull the shifter collar down before you try and pull the knob off

**rice_Rocket88** · 08-20-2009 07:46 PM

Ah! A Fellow Calgarian (I was born and raised.. but now in Boston).

So.. can I peel off the wood trim first, then take off the chrome piece with the letters on it.. or do I have to take apart the whole console?

**Mantis** · 08-20-2009 08:10 PM

Cool, I have a bunch of relatives in Auburn Mass. Ok here are some pics of the inside of the shifter, You will notice that the chrome cover is off, it is held on by 4 tabs, I sold the chrome piece, but here is the rest. It isn't necessary to pull the entire shifter knob and handle off, but it sure makes things easier. Once you get down to the printed board, it is time to clean up any mess with a good electronics cleaner

**BostonDriver** · 08-20-2009 11:23 PM

See this post on how to remove the shift knob, the bezel, etc.
X-post to AudiWorld writeup
FYI - in one of the pictures, you can see the little rectangular magnet in the background (the shot where I show where to disconnect the wiring harness under the bezel).

Best of luck cleaning it out! If you want a hand, I am local to Boston. Shoot me a PM.