Is it possible to update the B8 climate controls to B8.5?

[JonnyThrice]

Just curious if its possible to change the climate control panel in my 2012 A4 Avant to the newer panel in the '13+ A4.

Yeah, I know, not a super important mod, but the newer panel and controls just make more sense.

Anyone done it? Control panels are pretty cheap on ebay!

[b6Hate4]

If its that cheap, give it a shot. Someone has to be the pioneer for almost every mod done at some point.

[The Infiltrator]

I'm doing the 3G upgrade in my car and I've been wondering the same thing. Try it out and let us know. lol

[bermudakid]

The newer version has the push button for heated seats right, instead of click then turn the dial?

[bakedziti]

The newer version has the push button for heated seats right, instead of click then turn the dial?

This is correct. My mom's allroad has the 3 stage heated seats, so you just push the button 1-3 times instead of my click and turn

[blbroo]

F W P

[gtg196w]

I just bought one. Need to get component protection taken off. Will let you guys know. I remember Cory Can tried this, and it didn't work, but this was the dual zone version. I am trying to retrofit the single zone. If nothing else, I just want to add the piano black inlay and the metal knob.

[Quattritude]

Sub'd

[JonnyThrice]

I would do it, but I have no idea if it requires any coding in MMI, and I don't have a VAG-COM and have absolutely any idea about this coding business......

Anyone wanna try it out before me?

[bermudakid]

I just bought one. Need to get component protection taken off. Will let you guys know. I remember Cory Can tried this, and it didn't work, but this was the dual zone version. I am trying to retrofit the single zone. I nothing else I just want to add the piano black inlay and the metal knob.

So the dual zone version doesnt work?

[The Infiltrator]

Any update on this yet?

[JonnyThrice]

I'd do it, but I'm worried about any MMI coding etc.

Question....for the people that upgraded their cars to MMI 3G+, how do the old climate controls work? Do the old fan/temp/heated seat popups work the same?

[gtg196w]

Any update on this yet?

ehhh… no. I'm a little annoyed. The one I bought has a different bottom bar (for the Q5). Trying to weigh my options with making it fit. Really don't want to dremmel it….

[bermudakid]

Do it

[The Infiltrator]

LOL, pure pressure.

[TDIaholic]

According to the mobile.de forum it should be possible. You will need to use the exact same style you have, ie. single zone => FL single zone, and copy the coding from the old unit before installing the new one.

[The Infiltrator]

According to the mobile.de forum it should be possible. You will need to use the exact same style you have, ie. single zone => FL single zone, and copy the coding from the old unit before installing the new one.

Well that doesn't seem to bad. I might have to try it. gtg196w, you said you have one, see if this works for you.

[cory_can]

As someone else mentioned I tried it on my 09 (with 3G+ retrofitted) and it didn't work even after the component protection was removed. Mine is dual zone front, heated seats with separate rear control. IIRC, the blowers wouldn't shutoff regardless of the coding and configuration. After a few weeks of playing I removed it and put back original unit. Perhaps 2010+ may have different luck.

I'd do it, but I'm worried about any MMI coding etc.

Question....for the people that upgraded their cars to MMI 3G+, how do the old climate controls work? Do the old fan/temp/heated seat popups work the same?

Yes, the overlays work the same.

[JeriQo]

Subscribed!

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[The Infiltrator]

Does anyone have part numbers for the B8 (09-12) with the white display climate controls? Or is the B8.5 the only one with the white?


Red:
8T1820043AC
8T1820043AQ

White:
?

[JeriQo]

Any progress on this?

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[The Infiltrator]

Any progress on this?

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Na, coding won't work that anyone knows of yet for a B8.5 control put into a B8. I guess the B8 only had red and the B8.5 had white so...

[avantagg]

I ran into another B8 Avant owner today who recently did the 3G+ MMI swap and tossed in a B8.5 climate control. He had CP removed on both units. The climate control lights up and the seat heat works. However, the fans are not functioning when the dials are cranked.

Wondering if anyone out there has cracked the code on this yet? It looked really cool with the updated MMI.

[Gunnark100]

I ran into another B8 Avant owner today who recently did the 3G+ MMI swap and tossed in a B8.5 climate control. He had CP removed on both units. The climate control lights up and the seat heat works. However, the fans are not functioning when the dials are cranked.

Wondering if anyone out there has cracked the code on this yet? It looked really cool with the updated MMI.

He replaced correct one, 3 zone with FL 3 zone or ? And just a info, seat heat works now like on older model level 2,4 and 6!

[avantagg]

He replaced correct one, 3 zone with FL 3 zone or ? And just a info, seat heat works now like on older model level 2,4 and 6!

Hey Gunnar, I'm not sure. I will have to ask. It came from a non-nav 2014 donor car. @JohnnySV chime in here when you get a chance. Interesting about the seat heat! I was wondering how that works with buttons vs dials.

So theoretically if it were apples to apples (3 zone, to FL 3 zone) would there be a better chance of it working?

[johnnySV]

thanks guys.
I'm at the dealer right now trying to resolve, and immediate suggestions would be appreciated:

swapped same zone configuration unit simply for the white screen. Nav for Nav. everything works except the fan blower, despite the fact that the controller allows you to scroll from 1-12 on fan speed.

????


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[o1turbo30v]

thanks guys.
I'm at the dealer right now trying to resolve, and immediate suggestions would be appreciated:

swapped same zone configuration unit simply for the white screen. Nav for Nav. everything works except the fan blower, despite the fact that the controller allows you to scroll from 1-12 on fan speed.

????


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Sounds like the blower/fan motor sees different input resistance values between the two controllers. I think the only way it would work is to get a b8.5 blower resistor and see if can be retrofitted.

[johnnySV]

I appreciate the suggestion. I reverted back for now because we were taking up time at the dealer and didn't want to keep paying for troubleshooting


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[Gunnark100]

I reverted back for now because we were taking up time at the dealer and didn't want to keep paying for troubleshooting

You mean, you put old climate back again and paid for Component protection removal 2nd time?

[johnnySV]

yes, except they didn't charge me to put the original back in. they were cool about it.


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[Gunnark100]

F...no luck then a bit bad timing, lets play tomorrow, not sure can we test all options with new climate if CP active, but worth to try. Will write tomorrow, its late this side of the world:)

[The Infiltrator]

Veeeery interested in this, I've been waiting for progress on this for some time now. Can't wait to see how and if anyone gets it to finally work.

[johnnySV]

i think unfortunately i'm back on hold because unless CP is removed i don't think the unit will do much other then flash the OFF button and be unresponsive.

i removed the face of the FL Climatronic unit tonight to see if the LCD screen would be an easy swap.... NOPE! it's actually an LED screen and there are about 6-7 LEDs that provide the backlight, but not sure how the characters for 1-10 are illustrated on the screen


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[johnnySV]

but i don't really want to go down the road if just swapping the face, i want the whole controller to work as an upgrade. i want the Piani Black, Chrome Knobs, and 3-position seat heat (i hate the 1-6 it's useless!!)


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[Gunnark100]

3-position seat heat (i hate the 1-6 it's useless!!)
i think unfortunately i'm back on hold because unless CP is removed i don't think the unit will do much other then flash the OFF button and be unresponsive.
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Agreed, 1-6 is useless, i never use 1,2 and 6(more-less). Not sure about CP, i never had climatronic on protection mode, most of modules work with cp active and having only few functions which are limited and accepting all "vcds changes". I will look into this, should be info somewhere, what is disabled in clima if cp active. Regarding leds, yes there is 8 red ones.



Edit: Yes John you right, did some digging, cp in climate is PITA and only button will flash as you said, it will probably accept all vcds changes, but we cant test and see result before cp is off.

[avantagg]

Stumbled across this over on a5oc.com: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-perfor...ml#post1143322

I believe this what we need! I can't verify yet, because mine is not installed yet, but I will try the coding once plug it in. According to that thread it works like a charm. @JohnnySV give it a crack and let us know. Copy and Paste from the a5oc.com OP below

"Anyway, here is the correct coding:

- Enter Address 08: Auto HVAC (J255)
- Select coding (don't use the longcoding helper yet)
- Copy the coding from the old airco unit to the new one. (Copy it from a vcds scan)
- Then go to Byte 1, bit 4 (deselect MMI 3G display)

Go to Adaption:
Channel 79: change from 1 to 0. This changes the LIN-Bus from the blower unit from new to old generation. This is why the fan control speed doesn't work as many people describe.
Channel 35: 0 or 1 (depends if you have the humidity sensor in the inside mirror)
Channel 85: change from 0 to 1 (VFL/FL related)

Now the unit will work okay and will generate no errors.

Side effects:
You lose the visual presentation on the center display if you have Radio Concert/Chorus or MMI 2G.
Your seat heating has instead of 6 just 3 settings. Not a very big problem. 3 is the equivalent of 6 warmth wise.

If you have MMI 3G it will function 100% correctly (so with the full visuals) but then skip "Then go to Byte 1, bit 4 (deselect MMI 3G display)"

And ofcourse you need the CP removed with a VAS connection."

[The Infiltrator]

Stumbled across this over on a5oc.com: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-perfor...ml#post1143322

I believe this what we need! I can't verify yet, because mine is not installed yet, but I will try the coding once plug it in. According to that thread it works like a charm. @JohnnySV give it a crack and let us know. Copy and Paste from the a5oc.com OP below

"Anyway, here is the correct coding:

- Enter Address 08: Auto HVAC (J255)
- Select coding (don't use the longcoding helper yet)
- Copy the coding from the old airco unit to the new one. (Copy it from a vcds scan)
- Then go to Byte 1, bit 4 (deselect MMI 3G display)

Go to Adaption:
Channel 79: change from 1 to 0. This changes the LIN-Bus from the blower unit from new to old generation. This is why the fan control speed doesn't work as many people describe.
Channel 35: 0 or 1 (depends if you have the humidity sensor in the inside mirror)
Channel 85: change from 0 to 1 (VFL/FL related)

Now the unit will work okay and will generate no errors.

Side effects:
You lose the visual presentation on the center display if you have Radio Concert/Chorus or MMI 2G.
Your seat heating has instead of 6 just 3 settings. Not a very big problem. 3 is the equivalent of 6 warmth wise.

If you have MMI 3G it will function 100% correctly (so with the full visuals) but then skip "Then go to Byte 1, bit 4 (deselect MMI 3G display)"

And ofcourse you need the CP removed with a VAS connection."

Very nice! I wish I could have figured this out before because now I can't justify paying another $147 to have the CP taken off for the 3rd time. (1st time was 3G retrofit, 2nd was color DIS retrofit)

[avantagg]

Very nice! I wish I could have figured this out before because now I can't justify paying another $147 to have the CP taken off for the 3rd time. (1st time was 3G retrofit, 2nd was color DIS retrofit)

Ahh man, that sucks! They should do it for free after the second time. I've got a FL unit waiting to go in. Going to make an appointment with my local dealer next week. Will report back when I have some progress.

[JonnyThrice]

Wow! I might give this a go ahead now!

However, I just converted my car to MMI 3G+.....same coding?! :(

[avantagg]

Wow! I might give this a go ahead now!

However, I just converted my car to MMI 3G+.....same coding?! :(

I'm in the same boat and can't confirm but I think it will work. If you scrub through that A5 thread I think there are few who did both units at once. We'll see!