DIY - B9 Steering Wheel in B8/B8.5

[dgneo]

Story Time (skip this if you just want the DIY)

So I've had my 2016 B8.5 A4 for a little over a year and a half now, and one of the things I miss most from my previous car (08' R32) are the paddle shifters. I started browsing eBay for a replacement wheel with paddles, when I came across a very lightly used B9 Steering Wheel for $70 USD Shipped. I did some looking around and it seemed like it had not been done before/wasn't possible, until I stumbled across this video on Youtube. It seemed promising, so I figured what the hell lets give it a shot. I purchased the wheel on eBay, and reached out to Daniel @ daniels-coding.de to see what it takes to get it working. He informed me that I'd need to purchase a module from him (160 euros + shipping) that'll enable the multimedia buttons on the B9 wheel to work in the B8.5. I bit the bullet, and about 2 weeks later (coming from Germany) the module arrived. Long story short I was able to get the wheel and multimedia buttons working.

I have to give a huge shout out to Daniel, who provided excellent support along the way, and really without him this wouldn't have worked. I spoke with him, and the best way to get in contact/purchase the steering wheel module is either of the following:

Email: ‘info AT daniels-coding DOT de’
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dcdservice

Parts List
- B9 Steering Wheel - eBay
- B9 Airbag - eBay
- Trim Removal Set - Amazon
- Steering Wheel Module - Purchased from Daniel at daniels-coding.de
- Torx T55 - Steering wheel bolt removal
- 10mm Wrench - Removal of negative terminal from battery
- Shorter Phillips Head Screwdriver - Removal of airbag

Step 1
Start by removing the trim on the B9 Steering Wheel. You'll need the trim removal set for this. I followed this guide here - even though it's technically for B8 wheels, the process is pretty much identical.

Step 2
With the trim of the steering wheel removed, you'll want to plug the Steering Wheel Module into the bottom of the right-side of the multimedia buttons. There's only one plug on the right side that the module will fit in - unplug the connector already connected to the steering wheel, and connect that to the empty port on the Steering Wheel Module



Step 3
To re-assemble the media buttons with the module installed, the module will sit on top of the wheel bolt when complete - there should be enough slack on the module's cable for it to run to the middle of the wheel. Route it through the small channel the wrapped wire was running through, and press the media buttons back into their place.


Step 4
The next step will be changing the pinout of the B9 airbag to match that of the B8.5 airbag.

Here's what the stock B9 pinout looks like:


Here's what you need to change it to:


You'll need to move PIN 10 - Brown from the Yellow Plug to PIN 1 - Empty on the Yellow Plug.

You'll need to move PIN 4 - Blue from the Small Black Plug to PIN 2 - Empty on the Yellow Plug.

To unpin the Yellow Plug, on the side is a small purple square - this is the security lock holding the pins in place. Use a small screwdriver to push it out, then you can remove the Brown PIN from 10 and place it in PIN 1.

To unpin the Small Black Plug, the top of the plug will slide off to one side, revealing the individual pins. Press on the tab of the blue cable to release it, and pull it out. Slide the top of the plug back over to close it up

From here you'll need to pull the blue wire back up and plug it in to PIN 2 - Empty on the Yellow Plug. Once you've swapped both PINs, re-insert the purple security lock to secure the PINs.

Step 5
Now you'll need to uninstall your old Wheel/Airbag - I followed this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BazD2SnXmZg (it's for an A7, but the process applies for A4/A5/etc). Make sure to disconnect the battery before doing so.

Step 6
Time to install your new wheel and airbag! Place the new wheel on, ensuring the line up the clockspring notches properly. Reinstall the wheel bolt, and make sure the new Steering Wheel Module sits on top of the wheel bolt (there are no clearance issues). Re-connect the yellow plug and small black plug from the airbag, and press the airbag into place.



Addendum
As for the buttons on the wheel, all the previous functioning B8.5 media/menu buttons work properly. I tested the track forward/back buttons, as well as the heated steering wheel function, and those don't do not function.

The paddles will need to be enabled by VCDS if you didn't have them previously.

VCDS
16 - Steering Wheel
07 - Coding
Long Coding Helper
Byte 2
Bit 5 (Tiptronic Installed)
Check the Box (Change from 0 to 1)

All in all I'm very happy with the outcome. I apologize I didn't have better pictures of the process, unfortunately it swelteringly hot outside while I was doing these steps, and just wanted it done as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.

Thanks for reading

[elscotto80]

Nice work! Did that guy make the module himself? I'm curious what it does - change the signals from the B9 wheel to information the rest of the car understands? Does the heated wheel function work? Any other VCDS tweaks besides the paddle shifter?

[dgneo]

Nice work! Did that guy make the module himself? I'm curious what it does - change the signals from the B9 wheel to information the rest of the car understands? Does the heated wheel function work? Any other VCDS tweaks besides the paddle shifter?

I’d have to guess he did, I haven’t seen any sort of modules anywhere else - it was wrapped in wire tape and I didn’t have any on hand, otherwise I’d have removed it.

From what I’ve read the B9 uses LINbus to communicate, where as B8/8.5 use CANbus, so I’m guessing it translates the LINbus instructions to CANbus.

The heated steering wheel function doesn't work currently, although I'm curious if there's just coding in VCDS that needs to be done. No other coding was required to get it to work, and I don’t think there’s anything else available in VCDS for it.

[Depthcharge]

Wow hell of a deal.

[belgaonkar]

Very cool! I bought a B9 flat bottom steering wheel off a Q5 for $20 about 6 months ago thinking I would do this project and create my own wiring adaptor over the summer. I completely forgot I had the wheel sitting around until I read this thread. Where is the best place to purchase the adaptor? His site is in german and I cant seem to find a contact button.

[dgneo]

Very cool! I bought a B9 flat bottom steering wheel off a Q5 for $20 about 6 months ago thinking I would do this project and create my own wiring adaptor over the summer. I completely forgot I had the wheel sitting around until I read this thread. Where is the best place to purchase the adaptor? His site is in german and I cant seem to find a contact button.

I spoke with him, best way to get in contact/purchase the adapter is either email (which is what I did): ‘info AT daniels-coding DOT de’ or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dcdservice

[N_malik88]

Hi i am planning on doing same diy
I have a 4 spoke steering wheel on my B8.5
I have a S3 8v steering wheel which is same as B9 steering wheel but with 1 stage airbag and on my B8.5 airbag is 2 stage
Also Both yellow connecters on airbag harness are different
Question 1: were you b8.5 and B9 both 2 stage airbags? Or both 1 stage? Or one 2 stage and one 1 stage airbag?
Question 2: did you use the same slip ring that was already on B8.5?
Question 3: did you use harness from your b8.5 airbag on to B9 airbag?
Question 4: were the yellow connecters on B8.5 and B9 are same? If yes can i buy a dual stage airbag and fit on to b8.5 do you think it will be a plug and play? Or do i still need the moduel and repin modification as you did ?
Please help me with this

Thanks in advance 20191114_171031.jpeg20190615_113731.jpeg

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[a4android]

Things i know
(Did R8 steering into a B8)

8V has 2 stg aur bags in some countries.

LIN version of B9 is different from B8 so tou need a converter.

Keep the B8 slip ring

Plugs are not likely to be plug and play nor good idea to try it as airbag may be fired.

You can force 1 stg airbag to work on 2stg airbag car but not sure if that would be safe. (I DIDN'T GO THIS PATH, BUT I'VE SEEN SOME DID)



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[N_malik88]

The yellow connecters are different so i can't really try
I have seen A4 B9 airbag that has same yellow connecter as b8.5 has
Im guessing B9 Airbag might be a stright plug and play but then i have read on one of the forum some one install B9 steering on B8 and mentioned horn and buttons didn't work he was also looking for solution,


Screenshot_20191119-193927.jpeg20190615_101328.jpeg

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[weagle1856]

Did you ever get the heated function to work?
Did you ever test the prev. track, next track with a CD or as card?

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[Smac770]

The B8 A4 slip ring does not have the extra wiring necessary for passing heater power. It has 12 wires, 4 for two-stage airbag, 6 for multi-function/paddle/lane keep operations, 2 for horn. The two additional large wires for the steering wheel heater do not exist.

[weagle1856]

Couldn't you wire it up to the module? Is there room in the slip ring to add the two additional wires?

The B8 A4 slip ring does not have the extra wiring necessary for passing heater power. It has 12 wires, 4 for two-stage airbag, 6 for multi-function/paddle/lane keep operations, 2 for horn. The two additional large wires for the steering wheel heater do not exist.

Sent from my Nokia 9 using Audizine mobile app

[il-massi]

Hi guys do you know if it’s possible to install the R8/TTRS steering wheel into A5 2009 years? I know it can be possible but the buttons on steering wheel doesn’t works like Engine/Start, Drive Select, Exhaust valve and the Flag Button....

[il-massi]

My car have the drive select and engine start

[Tineo]

Thanks to dgneo for this guide!

https://youtu.be/W1TK62wa9GQ
We have tried two st. wheels on B8 and C7 plattforms with success. Next step... Performance buttons wired-functionality.



Note: concert oem radio with rsnav 8.8" display.

[Smac770]

https://youtu.be/6Qa-yr8eTsg

Clearly anything is possible. Someone just has to figure it out. I've never messed around inside a coil spring assembly.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...4h0953568hz01/
Here you can see what's different about a heated wheel enabled coil spring, this for the C7. I'm sure anything could be manufactured, it's just a question of do you care enough.

[Tineo]

#11 & #12 pins of B8 clock spring are free.
https://youtu.be/WX9Zm6yitAY

It's posible to use them in altenative functions.

[Smac770]

Found a legitimate pin out of the 12-pin plug (that video documents nothing useful):
1 - Ground (GND)
2 – Horn signal
3 - Airbag 1 “+“
4 - Airbag 1 “–“
5 - Airbag 2 “+“
6 - Airbag 2 “–“
7 - Tip down
8 - Terminal 30
9 - LIN
10 - Tip up
11 - Dimming (terminal 58s)
12 - Tip ground

So we see horn on 2, which grounds through 1. The J453 button controller is 12v on 8, ground on 1, and LIN bus on 9. 11 is a PWM signal for adjusting the dimming of the steering wheel controls and paddles. So it's certainly not free. But if you do not have paddles, then it would seem that 7, 10, and 12 would not have purpose. The question which the video fails to illuminate is how he rigged an external wire connection to the J527 side of the slip ring wiring. Also, for the purpose of passing current for a heated steering wheel, I doubt the 12 present wires are of sufficient gauge.

[Tineo]

Found a legitimate pin out of the 12-pin plug ...

sorry, that pin out scheme does not seem to apply to the b8 platform: "Tiptronic" signals are included in bus line.


the heatable function is very complicated to implement without oem support

[shreddykrueger]

I’ve got an opportunity to locally sourced a 2019 FBSW & 2017 airbag for a pretty good deal for my b8 avant.

For those that have done this mod, how difficult was it? Will I need to purchase a plug adapter or can the current plug be modified? Will any changes in VCDS need to be made (paddles are already enabled)

Pics of the setup

https://ibb.co/rbV9WRW
https://ibb.co/GtmqzNw

[Smac770]

I rewatched a video where they swapped a B8.0 1XX (3-spoke, round, multi-function, paddles) with a B8.5 2PK (3-spoke, flat bottom, multi-function, paddles). It can be seen that on both wheels, the button side of the plug to the airbag harness has only three wires on both wheels. So that would be the 12V, LIN, and DIM lines. No wires for the T+, T-, or T GND, though both wheels have paddles. It would seem odd for Audi to have this incorrectly documented, in two places no less. Both the Electrical Equipment repair manual and the wiring diagrams. But I never understood why the Tip needed separate lines on the D3 A8 and C6 A6, which use the same buttons as the B8.0.

I also find it odd that Audi documents the lines as 12V (term 30) and LIN. What I can find about 2-wire LIN is that it would normally be LIN and GND (term 31). I wonder if it is in fact LIN signal on the 12V line, or maybe the J453 is grounded to the steering wheel chassis and back to the GND line (pin 1) used by the horn.

As for heat, even with three free lines in the coil spring, none of them are likely large enough gauge to be of any use. In addition, the B8 J527 appears to be connected to term 30 and 31 by small wires. You can see on the connector back to the vehicle, there are large pins 1 and 2. These are used in the C6 A6, which has heat support. The B8 uses two of the smaller pins.

If there was any easy way to retrofit heat to a B8, it would be if the C7 heated coil spring would function in place. The C7 moved to the integrated J527/coil spring which the B8 introduced. 4H0 953 568 H. All the plugs are the same, but is the pinout the same? One should consult the C7 wiring diagrams and docs to confirm. If the unit would function on the B8 chassis, then great. Run new wires for 30 and 31 to the pins 1 and 2 and move on.

If not, then one could consider retrofitting the coil spring cover and the extra wires 13 and 14 from the C7 spring to the B8 spring, and figure out whether to wire the lines 13 and 14 to the J527 or just pass them through the housing. The D3/C6 used a heat button the backside of the wheel. The D4/C7 moved that button to the multi-function buttons, but I wonder if that button is managed by the J453, or is a passive on/off toggle in the heat circuit. I imagine you'd be better off with a D3/C6 gen heated wheel than a D4/C7 wheel with its changed multi-function button operation.

I think a pair of gloves is a much more effective use of time and money.

[lilpharaoh2003]

Any new updates? Has anyone been able to get the previous or next buttons to work or the star button??

- - - Updated - - -

Any new updates? Has anyone been able to get the previous or next buttons to work or the star button??

[yosufm]

Hi, i have purchased a b9 steering wheel for my b8. The buttons are exactly the same so i don’t think i’ll need the module. Will i still need to change some wiring on the airbag connector?

[Smac770]

Even if you have the low end button set (PR-1XA or PR-1XC wheels) which has no different functionality than the B8.5 button set, it's still a 8W part and no reason to believe it will talk like the old 4E/4F parts from the D3 A8 / C6 A6 era which the B8 parts are based on.

The airbag harness for the 8W steering wheel is unchanged between 1XA/1XC and 1XW/1XP. And looking at the wiring change, that's the horn wires that are being moved. So you're going to be doing that regardless.

The question is whether the low end buttons will talk to the J527 without the adapter. No way to know until you try.

[sharrisct25]

So I have a related question. In all of your work with the wiring of the steering wheel does anybody have advice on what pin I might be able to pull a 12v power source from? I am thinking about adding a LED backlight to my steering wheel logo and need to figure out where I can get some power from without messing with any resistance etc that might screw with my steering wheel controls. I have a B8.5 s4.

Thanks

[Smac770]

pin 1 is ground
pin 2 is voltage to the horn, when the horn is pressed it completes the circuit and the car detects this because it sees current flow; so any draw for other devices will tell the car the horn is pressed
pins 3-6 are the airbags, so those are prohibited.
pins 7-8 are for the buttons; one would be 12v and one would be the LIN bus (typically purple). So you could check for which pin reads 12v; the LIN pin should read a voltage but it should be less than 12v. That 12v (assuming it's 12v and not 5v for the buttons) would be your only source.

But how much extra current it can supply is questionable. Is it worth burning out expensive electronics? And what happens to that backlight when the airbag goes off?

[sharrisct25]

If I do it the backlight will be a single 12v LED that uses about 20mA. It would not be a factor for the airbag because it is going on the bottom spoke of the wheel itself.

That said if I can't get a decent supply for the LED i will just skip it. Definitely do not want to damage anything. Just an idea since I had it all apart anyway.

[jason bouchard]

All I really care about is if I can get the next/previous track buttons to work properly. . . I have a 2014 Audi S5 and the steering wheel is perfect EXCEPT its missing the next/previous track button. . . meaning I have to move my hand to the passenger side are to switch songs

[Denkodt]

I have an Audi A4 B9 and I have a question about the four wire plug in the steering wheel. Does anyone know what each of the four wires is for? I'm talking about the black four wire plug with Purple Red Brown Blue wires.

Thanks for help

[iCrap]

Bumping this from the dead.... but has anyone managed to get the track forward / back buttons to work after swapping the wheel onto a b8.5?

[destroi35]

hello, any of you know any source where to buy this module?

[bb-tt]

hello, any of you know any source where to buy this module?

mod-hub still searching for others
https://www.modhub.com.sg/collection...-style-buttons

[iCrap]

Does that one make the track forward / back buttons work? I can't find any details on the thing.

[Gunnarrrrr]

mod-hub still searching for others
https://www.modhub.com.sg/collection...-style-buttons

hello, any of you know any source where to buy this module?

Thought I'd drop in and let you guys know that I have my own modules in stock and ready to ship, currently $90 shipped in the US. FYI the modhub ones are just empty wires with no instructions, you have to figure out where they go and splice/solder them. I ordered one a year ago and was pretty disappointed, also by the price. I've made my adapters 100% plug and play.

Also just recently successfully did a b5 and a c5 with no can gateway if you're interested in solutions for b9/8.5v wheels in the cars that are even older.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ng-Wheel-Swaps



Also, I know this is an old comment, but if you haven't figured it out yet, purple (pin 1) is LIN, brown (pin 3) is ground, red (pin 2) is 12v, and blue (pin 4) is the horn. of course this is just the b9 wiring. horn wire goes straight to the yellow connector on all older cars.

I have an Audi A4 B9 and I have a question about the four wire plug in the steering wheel. Does anyone know what each of the four wires is for? I'm talking about the black four wire plug with Purple Red Brown Blue wires.

Thanks for help