jfischetti

Audi Q7 iPhone 5 Dash Dock


I have a 2008 Audi Q7 and luckily have the connection to the AMI interface in the center console rather than the glove box.

For the last few years i've had an extension cable that came out of the AMI box and kept my Apple iPhone on the console when connected

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/OldSetup.JPG" width="700">

While in close proximity, it really wasn't ideal, especially for the new Turn-by-Turn directions in the new iOS 6 maps. I wanted something a bit more "Heads up".

I've been planning to move the connection to a place I think is more convenient and a bit safer when having view the phone. Being an Apple fan, I knew the switch to a smaller connector was going to come, and I patiently waited until the Lightning connector was announced. Once the cables/adapters arrived I embarked on my Q7 iPhone 5 Dash Dock project.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Complete.JPG" width="700">

I'll highlight below how I achieved this.


PRODUCTS NEEDED

These two cable/adapter products were needed to extend the connection from the center console to the dash.

Cable Jive Dock Extender (6 foot) - $32
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/DockExtender.jpg" width="400">
http://www.cablejive.com/products/dockXtender.html

Apple 30-Pin to Lightning (0.2 Meter) Adapter - $39
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Adapter.JPG" width="400">
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...-02-m?fnode=45


INSTALLATION

1. Remove Shifter Boot and MMI Console

The leather shifter boot is removed by simply pulling up on it, once it's up you will need to remove the shift indicator module - that piece also pulls up without any screws or clips, once that module is released, you will need to disconnect the cable block from the part.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/BootRemoved.JPG" width="700">

Once the shift indicator is removed and leather boot is up, you might need to move the shifter to the N: Neutral position to give room for the MMI console to come out. The MMI console also just pulls up with no clips or screws. Once it's released, you will need to disconnect the two lighter connections at the top Left and right and the main MMI connection at the back center of the part.

Once disconnected you will be able to remove the entire MMI console to gain access to the side of the console and back part of the console to run your CableJive extension wire.

Console Removed with extension cable visible running to AMI console box
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/ConsoleRemoved.JPG" width="700">

To the rightof the above image you will see the extension cable - theres a small hole that will allow you to run the female 30-pin connector thru that hole to gain access to the AMI box where the AMI Male cable is stowed -- feed the extension cable thru the hole and make the connection. I gave myself some extension cable slack in the AMI box so that i can still pop-up the AMI console if i need to (more on that later)

Detail: Hole to run cable to AMI Console box
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CableThru.JPG" width="700">

Extension Cable Run from console into AMI box with connection to AMI Adapter + Slack
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/FeedThru.JPG" width="700">


Once the connection in the AMI box is made you can concentrate on running the cable thru the console and out of the driver side leg area. The console (under MMI module) has a rubber insulator -- you can run the cable under that piece and the feed it along-side the left console skirt

Cable under MMI rubber Insulator and along left-side console skirt
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/DownSide.JPG" width="700">

Once you have the male end of the extension cable heading down the left console skirt, you'll need to get your fingers under the skirt in the driver-side foot well to pull the cable down from the console into the footwell.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/ComeOut1.JPG" width="700">

Once you grab the cable, pull it all through the skirt and then work it around so it actually is coming out the back of the skirt (not the bottom)

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/ComeOut2.JPG" width="400">

With the cable pulled completely through, it's time to focus on the steering column canopy.

Steering Column Canopy
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Canopy_before.JPG" width="700">

The goal here is to Dremel a hole so that the new lightning adapter can be mounted between the Tachometer and Speedometer. The iPhone 5 fits perfectly between these two gauges - even a phone with a modest case will also fit.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Mounted1.JPG" width="700">
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Complete.JPG" width="400">

I actually used a new iPhone 5 Case as the template for marking the hole placement. I just placed the case between the two gauges and used a pencil to mark the connector hole. That ensured that the angle of phone was correct and the connector was properly placed on the canopy.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CaseTemplate.JPG" width="700">

Once i had the hole properly marked, it was time to remove the canopy. This part has two connections and the first pulls off the dash without the need for removing screws or clips. To give yourself room to remove the canopy, make sure to adjust the steering column to be pushed all the way down and all the way out.

Main canopy connection detached (note hole marking in pencil)
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CanopyDetached.JPG" width="700">

Once the main part is detached, you'll need to remove the second part of the canopy that is actually attached to the Steering Column. That ribbon pulls up as well, and is held down with some little plastic clips.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CanopyLift.JPG" width="700">

With the canopy removed, you can begin to run the Extension wire up from the footwell. You will need to remove two hex screws down by the gas/brake pedals so that you can lower the panel that acts as the bottom of the dash panel (by your feet) Once i opened that foot panel up, I ran an extended hanger down the right side of the steering column (see next picture) towards the open foot panel..

Removed Canopy - access to the right area to run cable thru
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CanopyRemoved.JPG" width="700">

I then connected the male dock connector to the hanger and pulled it up thru the steering column so that it was hanging out where the Canopy part was just removed.

Now onto the Canopy Drilling….

I carefully drilled a hole where i marked with the iPhone 5 Case. Doing it carefully and checking size often - I was able to open up a perfectly-sized hole to fit the Lightning connector thru.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Mounted2.JPG" width="700">

Now this is where it gets a bit tricky -- you want to make sure that once you have the hole correctly sized, you are mounting it at the right depth and angle so the phone is leaning back and resting on the instrument panel and not sticking straight up. To achieve the correct angle and depth i mounted the canopy back on the dash with the Lightning connector being fed through the hole. What i did was connect the white plug to the phone and pushed the white adapter thru the hole to confirm the hole would allow the phone to angle back, and that i like the depth of the plug (trying to achieve minimal poke-thru)

You will also see in the above picture I carefully removed some of the cable reinforcement below the plug to allow it to bend at a better angle - especially if you tend to keep the steering column in the top most position-- that reinforcement plastic is fairly stiff and was keeping the cable from bending at a preferable angle.

A "dry-run" of the plug mount
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/drymount.jpg" width="700">

The hole allowed me to sit the phone at the correct angle, and i was happy with how flush the plug sat in the hole -- now time to glue.

I created a piece of wax paper that separated the Phone from the plug - to protect the phone from getting any crazy glue on it.

Wax paper buffer, before glueing
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/WaxBuffer.JPG" width="700">

I then put Crazy Glue around the top of the adapter plug and put the phone back into position - confirming the angle and depth of the plug in the hole.

I left the phone in place for 2 hours - just to be sure the glue set and then pulled the phone off the dock plug - the plug stayed in place!

The wax buffer worked perfectly too and did not stick to the plug and the phone was completely protected.

Now that the plug was securely glued in place at the correct depth and angle, I removed the canopy again to do some hot glue securing on the underside of the canopy.

Underside Canopy: Hot glue reinforcement
<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/MountGlued.JPG" width="700">

Once the Hot glue dried, I connected the male dock connector to the female connector and fed them to the right of the steering column.
I pushed the canopy back into position on the dash and then attached the ribbon connection to the steering column.

I used the dock for a few days to make sure it was all perfect -- and then a few days later used some flat black/gray paint or marker to cover up the white portion of the plug.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/CanopyFinal2.JPG" width="700">

The new connection will charge the phone while in place, and allow easy viewing for Navigation and when alerts come in on the phone. When it's connected i can also access the music files on the device through the MMI as well as stream Spotify, Pandora or NPR through the MMI as well.

<img src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1089183/Car/Complete.JPG" width="700">

I feel the phone is in a much safer position than down to the right of me on the console. It's merely in the same position as the monochrome display the car offers. For those who think the phone will block any important alerts from the car on that monochrome display -- any major alerts will come with a beep - i'm not really worried about that. Additionally, since i left slack in the AMI box, i can always attach the phone to the AMI adapter cable with the stubby Apple Lightning to 30-pin connector.

I hope this tutorial helps anyone who likes my idea, and wants to replicate it. I cant speak for any of the other Audi cars and their space between the Tach/Speedo - but feel free to check (please let me know too)

Feel free to ask any questions.

Good luck.





Apple, iPhone, iPhone 5, CableJive, Dock Extender, Dremel, Lightning Connector, Audi, Q7, Dock Dash

Rally1

I like it. I have to find a suitable place in my A4 to do something similar, glad to see the glue holds it well.