Tiptronic +/- Reversal - Tutorial

[Brettannica]

Hi all,

Well, I thought I would have a crack at reversing the +/- changing sequence on the Tiptronic shifter as per the previously posted Video in French.
I was amazed at how simple the job was - literally 45 mins from start to finish and it works like a charm.

Whilst I was doing the change, I figured I would take some photos and post a step by step tutorial for anyone interested.

STEP 1: Place shifter into DRIVE. Pull button outwards, but only enough to slip a small zip tie in between the housing and the button. Secure.



STEP 2: Rotate silver sleeve below the knob clockwise. Pull up using CONTROLLED force. Mine popped off quite easily. *Note, the shifter position in DRIVE. This may make a difference to the ease of removal as per the YouTube Video.



STEP 3: Open the ashtray and using two hands lift the shifter display surround upwards. Once the forward lugs are free, gently use a screwdriver to pry the rear ones up.



These are the four lugs and their relative positions.



STEP 4: Gently pry the four tabs securing the shifter housing to the console bracket whilst using a slight upwards force (otherwise they just clip back into position).



STEP 5: Remove the shaft sleeving from the stick.



STEP 6: Remove the plug from the underside of the shifter housing by depressing the tab and pulling.



STEP 7: Once the plug is removed, push the tabs in that are located on the side of the housing lid to remove the silver cover.



STEP 8: Remove silver cover from housing.



Now we work on the Silver Cover

STEP 9: Gently pry the circuit board from the cover, releasing the small retaining tabs.



STEP 10: Separate the black information board from the silver cover. You can gently pry using a small screwdriver or use the friction from your grip.

[Brettannica]

Now we work on the plug

STEP 11: Remove or loosen the tab which retains the wiring harness inside the plastic housing. Cut the small zip tie securing the plastic housing to the wiring loom.



STEP 12: Remove wiring loom from protective sleeve.



STEP 13: In order for the exchange to be successful you need to swap wires 4 (GREY with small white stripe) and 5 (GREEN with small white stripe). These are the only wires you are interested in.



STEP 14: Using a small screwdriver, insert into the small window, press down and pull on the wires to release them from their respective housing. Once this is completed. Swap the two wires over and re-insert. It’s that simple.



STEP 15: Re-insert wiring loom back into it’s housing and attach a new zip tie to the wiring loom to secure.



STEP 16: Give the whole area a good clean.



Time to get creative...

Step 17: Using a Sharpie and a scalpel or craft knife, block out the vertical stroke on the (+) symbol and scrape a downward stroke onto the (-) symbol.



STEP 18: Once the modifications are completed it should look like this...



STEP 19: Once you are satisfied with the finish, reconstruction of all parts is a simple reversal of the step-by-step instructions above.



STEP 20: Crack a beer and bask in your awesomeness…



And the proof is in the pudding...

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[rockstar]

Sounds like something I'm doing this weekend! Great post!

[rockstar]

Sounds like something I'm doing this weekend! Great post!
Btw, is there any way to pop the (-,+) buttons off and exchange positions rather than cut/sharpie the buttons?

[Brettannica]

Sounds like something I'm doing this weekend! Great post!
Btw, is there any way to pop the (-,+) buttons off and exchange positions rather than cut/sharpie the buttons?

Unfortunately not rockstar, they are moulded (or look to be).
If you wanted to get intricate, you could always scrape away all of the black on both buttons then place vinyl cut graphics in place with the symbols cut out.

[Concavitor]

Excellent and thorough. The only step I don't care for is the "-", "+" Sharpie/scratch operation. I may look into physically swapping the raised buttons. A cutting operation would need to be done vertically around the buttons, but that work would be hidden by the aluminum trim. I would probably look for an open hole drill that would allow the button to be cut around.

[Brettannica]

Excellent and thorough. The only step I don't care for is the "-", "+" Sharpie/scratch operation. I may look into physically swapping the raised buttons. A cutting operation would need to be done vertically around the buttons, but that work would be hidden by the aluminum trim. I would probably look for an open hole drill that would allow the button to be cut around.

Cheers Concavitor,

Tell you what, let’s make a deal. You can try that and then, if successful, I’ll replicate it!!!

[SlickFix]

Pretty cool mod, but does it also affect the function of the paddle shifters? To be honest, on my S4 I always use the paddle shifters when I want to use the tip mode. But on Wifey's Avant this may come in handy.

[SurferD]

Uh maybe I'm slow but what's the point?
Is it so upshifts are towards the rear?
Otherwise, excellent DIY.

[Brettannica]

Pretty cool mod, but does it also affect the function of the paddle shifters? To be honest, on my S4 I always use the paddle shifters when I want to use the tip mode. But on Wifey's Avant this may come in handy.

Hi Slick. Thanks. No it doesn’t, you’re only changing the signal connectors to the stick. I too use my DSG shifters but when you are turning etc (ie. booting it left or right at lights/intersection) I find it easier to use the stick as it’s where you left it rather than rotated xº.

Uh maybe I'm slow but what's the point?
Is it so upshifts are towards the rear?
Otherwise, excellent DIY.

Hi SurferD. Thanks again. I really just broke down what the French Vid did as I figured it might come in handy for a few users.

The point would be that the car now shifts like a sequential gearbox or old school bang shifter which makes it loads more user friendly, especially when you are concentrating on driving at speed.
If I’m not using the DSG paddles, rather than constantly reminding myself that forward is up etc. I find I can now change without thinking. Forearm on the armrest and a flick of the wrist to change up.

[mgikone69]

will need to try this soon great job....this needs to be stickied somewhere :-)

[SurferD]

Hi Slick. Thanks. No it doesn’t, you’re only changing the signal connectors to the stick. I too use my DSG shifters but when you are turning etc (ie. booting it left or right at lights/intersection) I find it easier to use the stick as it’s where you left it rather than rotated xº.



Hi SurferD. Thanks again. I really just broke down what the French Vid did as I figured it might come in handy for a few users.

The point would be that the car now shifts like a sequential gearbox or old school bang shifter which makes it loads more user friendly, especially when you are concentrating on driving at speed.
If I’m not using the DSG paddles, rather than constantly reminding myself that forward is up etc. I find I can now change without thinking. Forearm on the armrest and a flick of the wrist to change up.

Got it mate.
If only all the mods in the car were easy as swapping 2 wires.

[Brettannica]

Update…

It’s been a week since I did this mod and I have to say it’s a no brainer. I've been using it a fair bit since I did the change and it's waaaaaaay better, you don’t have to think about changing it now feels very natural.
And if it’s good enough for an M5, it’s good enough for me…




On a side note. Nor surprisingly, after pulling it apart and giving the assembly a thorough cleaning the whole shifting mechanism is smoother and quieter.

[powderrecon]

amazing write-up.

[Brettannica]

amazing write-up.

Cheers!

[ricostuart]

Just done this myself - took about 15 mins in the drive. Very easy, but make sure you put the white main plastic the right way up. Took me a few mins to make sure that was correct. Took it for a spin, and will take a few go's before I get fully used to it, but does feel better. Plus I found that the ashtray light was disconnected, so fixed that too!

[Brettannica]

Just done this myself - took about 15 mins in the drive. Very easy, but make sure you put the white main plastic the right way up. Took me a few mins to make sure that was correct. Took it for a spin, and will take a few go's before I get fully used to it, but does feel better. Plus I found that the ashtray light was disconnected, so fixed that too!

Sweet. Glad you’re happy. I hope you cracked a warm pint at the when you finished...

[Brettannica]

Just Bumping this as I’ve had an enquiry.

Moderator - Can you put this mod in a sticky????