Forest37

Recently found a fairly complete 2001 B5 in a nearby junkyard and am considering a stereo + climate control swap. If I can pull everything from the center console, what sort of wiring, fit and function challanges am I looking at?

Kris Hansen

to what you have now. I've not had a newer dash apart, but there's quite a few connectors in there.. I suspect that it won't be plug and play.

AudiMick

The stereo is probably the easy part. You will need to add a K line.

The climate control head from a 96 is unique to that year so there are potentially huge compatibility issues with the heating and AC systems.

dorsal900

Even a 1997+ CC Head Unit, which is size and plug compatible with your 1996, will not work due to software compatibility issues - this is stated in the Bentley manual and experienced personally (VAG Tool will not recode the newer module for 1996 use).

Yeah, the newer units look nicer, but.... If you are suffering from missing display segments on your current CC Head Unit, there is a company called ModuleMasters selling replacement LCD panels.

maxxchon

So I did this on my 1997 with delta radio. The climate control didnt work 100%, after rewiring the light cable, i found that the vent flaps werent working correctly, I took my handy dremel, separated the faceplate on the 2000 climate control and put in the 97 climate control and also made a slot for the rear defrost, I also took the little fan part and threw it in the back with the hose conected to the vent. Im sure the rewiring can be done but i just took the easy way. I'll try to upload some pictures this weekend when I'm back home.

audibrianelan

hi!
I was wondering about the same thing for converting a newer version CC unit to my 97. Did this task finally work out? thanks for sharing!

GBMILTON

I'll try at the 12 o'clock position and see if that keeps the upper vent balanced with the upper center vents.