Climate Control Buttons - If Audi won't sell them, why not get them manufactured?

[pr0digy30]

As our B6's are getting older, surely there are more and more people wanting to fix their climate control units. AFAIK most of the problems are with the buttons and not so much scratches, scrapes on the front bezel.

Since Audi won't sell individual buttons and finding a mint replacement is equally as troublesome, just wondering if anybody thinks that we could get a "group build" together. Surely there is some factory in China that could duplicate the buttons only.

I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned/thought of this... what does everybody else think?

[A4SoftWalker]

I think its a big shame we can't do it here in the US of A.

Good idea though.

Have you been able to take out buttons only?

[pr0digy30]

No, haven't taken them out.. though i recall seeing a DIY where a guy repainted his buttons and he removed all buttons from the bezel.

[CHiPZ]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...eeling-buttons

[pr0digy30]

CHiPZ, that's the thread. Thanks for linking to it.

I should really contact a friend of mine who does get things manufactured in China. The price is probably next to nothing, though would probably need quite a volume for them to make a mold and what not.

[sbatqmi]

CHiPZ, that's the thread. Thanks for linking to it.

I should really contact a friend of mine who does get things manufactured in China. The price is probably next to nothing, though would probably need quite a volume for them to make a mold and what not.

I run a mold shop here in the good ol USA.

[doogie891]

i would be in for sure for half the buttons on the console and i say we throw the door panel buttons on there also for the windows!!! let me know about the progress!

[CoreyRS]

Woo I like this...I'm in!

[A4SoftWalker]

I run a mold shop here in the good ol USA.

^^^Here we go.
Lets get those buttons out and in the hands of a hard working American.

Anyone have a climate control system ripped apart and ready to have the parts copied?

[jayiszraw]

Woo I like this...I'm in!

x2

[pr0digy30]

Looks like we need a volunteer with a busted CC unit and/or half legible buttons.

Would definitely prefer to have these produced on this continent. The big hurdle I think is getting a color match to the existing color of the CC unit.

[AndrA4]

Yes, I know I'll be scorned for reviving a dead topic. But this topic is even more relevant today than it was years ago. Anybody looking into this? I'm sure there's plenty of eager customers across the forums that have this problem and would be eager to resolve it.

[airjordan223]

USA USA USA!

window buttons a big ol peelers too

[AndrA4]

Yep, nearly all of mine are peeling pretty badly. A bit disheartening to have such a nice interior ruined by a bad decision on Audi's behalf. I mean look at the B5s. No peeling window switches or climate control buttons...

[matt@oCarbon]

I run a mold shop here in the good ol USA.

What kind of molds?

[sandspeed]

Two things: I have a CC unit I would donate to this cause. Also, couldn't someone design vinyl decals in matte black to overlay every button in the interior?

[Black_Pearl_B6]

I would buy em as long as they were made in the USA I hate paying the Chinese. I don't even eat Lo Mein

[pape]

Two things: I have a CC unit I would donate to this cause. Also, couldn't someone design vinyl decals in matte black to overlay every button in the interior?

This would be a good option for some, I would prefer stickers that you stick to the oem buton and paint over it, when you remove the sticker you have the white translusent part light up.

[AndrA4]

Two things: I have a CC unit I would donate to this cause. Also, couldn't someone design vinyl decals in matte black to overlay every button in the interior?

I'm in the process of trying to find a company that can cut vinyl. The biggest roadblock is obviously the small size and the precision needed for the small details. I'd prefer the vinyl method as I could paint my faceplate to match as well.

[sbatqmi]

What kind of molds?

Plastic injection molds.

[misterjj2u]

I hate paying the Chinese. I don't even eat Lo Mein

LOL, don't tell Vinny that...

[sbatqmi]

Two things: I have a CC unit I would donate to this cause. Also, couldn't someone design vinyl decals in matte black to overlay every button in the interior?

This would be a lot cheaper. It would be around $30k to build the mold. I'm not sure about copyright infringement either for building a mold.

[misterjj2u]

Also--don't advertise this as a service to other members.

Just use it as a "personal update to others about a product that you will make for yourself". Otherwise, you may have your thread locked like the Sportec Rep thread.

[audi_nightrider]

I'm in!

painting each button/part is a big waste of time IMO

[boy412]

Really obnoxious that you can't source new buttons. They must come from someplace!

[walky_talky20]

BMW guys can buy buttons individually from this guy:

http://www.ihkabuttons.com/buttons.html

Nothing for Audi's, though. Anybody know who actually manufactures the panel? Maybe some investigatory measures could score some gray market front panels or some such.

[EinSchnellAudi]

I also have a junker CC module that can be had for the cause if need be.

[nofearhawk]

BMW guys can buy buttons individually from this guy:

http://www.ihkabuttons.com/buttons.html

Nothing for Audi's, though. Anybody know who actually manufactures the panel? Maybe some investigatory measures could score some gray market front panels or some such.

Damn, buttons be expensive

[pape]

BMW guys can buy buttons individually from this guy:

http://www.ihkabuttons.com/buttons.html

Nothing for Audi's, though. Anybody know who actually manufactures the panel? Maybe some investigatory measures could score some gray market front panels or some such.

saab also makes a button kit its arouns $90 for the climate control unit

[Trev]

Ill stick with my $0.02 in vinyl stickers and $4.00 for a rattle can. Might try that rubbery stuff from dupicolor.

[AndrA4]

Ill stick with my $0.02 in vinyl stickers and $4.00 for a rattle can. Might try that rubbery stuff from dupicolor.

What kind of vinyl stickers? Just rectangles you cut out or more intricate designs? I looked into getting vinyl cut into those shapes and I was told they were way too small to be cut into vinyl. He said they looked screen printed.

[a4huey09]

I have a spare CC module in nearly perfect shape, buttons show no signs of peeling. Does not have the seat heater controls. PM me if your are interested it.

[pape]

What kind of vinyl stickers? Just rectangles you cut out or more intricate designs? I looked into getting vinyl cut into those shapes and I was told they were way too small to be cut into vinyl. He said they looked screen printed.

I know most places wont do it, but I can be done with a laser cutter. I have even seen a sheet of the sticker cut out one time but the guy that had it wanted $150 for the stickers and would not say were he had it done.

I have tried cuting them out with an Xacto and its verry dificult.

[Trev]

It can be done very easily, that kind of percision is no problem for any modernday vinyl cutter. I would suspect its because it wouldnt be worth it for a signshop to do.

I also have a Roland Print/cut. Can knock of a few hundred in a matter of min.

[Trev]

Going to see if i can do the headlight ring and knob too.

[BARRY]

Going to see if i can do the headlight ring and knob too.

if you can do that and it be 100% size and icon accurate we'd all love you for life.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

You know used CC units with like new buttons go for like $50 on ebay all day long right?

[CoreyRS]

link meeeeeee

[SunDevilDrake]

Bringing this thread back from the dead because I found these on ebay today....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-B6-8...5cf05b&vxp=mtr

If I end up buying these, I will update on how well they work.

[texasboy21]

I picked up a MINT climate control unit for $100 including install. One less peeling interior item!

My current project is coding it correctly via vagcom to properly dim with the other interior lights. As of right now, it the red displays are just a touch brighter than the radio's display.