Armrest / Phone prep dismantling

[bionicvapourboy]

I've just recently purchased a 2006 2.7tdi which has bluetooth and phone prep in the armrest. I want a way to charge my Samsung Galaxy s2 and had planned on using the Samsung Car mount and installing it in the armrest and running a female usb connector into the armrest so I can easy change the charging connector/dock when I change phones. I've managed to remove the armrest but cant figure out how to either remove the phone prep or dismantle the arm rest to run a usb cable into the armrest itself.. .does anybody have any ideas/help? :)

[gupsterg]

Hi, so are you looking for wiring diagram/pin out to make usb have positive and ground dc from existing wiring going to phone prep connectors in armrest?

[bionicvapourboy]

Hi, so are you looking for wiring diagram/pin out to make usb have positive and ground dc from existing wiring going to phone prep connectors in armrest?

Well I had planned to leave the existing wiring alone and just tap into the cigarette lighter socket as a power source. I'm actually looking for a way to feed a usb cable from behind the centre console rear vent into the armrest. I can remove the armrest but I cant figure out how it comes apart to feed a cable into it.

[gupsterg]

Gotta sleep now had busy day, will look in service guide to see exploded view of armrest tomorrow if no else reply first.
I think tapping into 12v cigarette lighter is best route to keep wiring phone prep intact.. like your thinking gives me ideas!! :D

[bionicvapourboy]

Thanks! much appreciated :D

[gupsterg]

Use suitable trim removal tool/plastic wedge to prise rear edge of storage compartment.

Lift storage compartment including handle support for centre armrest.

To remove lower trim off armrest there is a gasket around metal mounting point remove that, then un-clip.

There are two screws on underside of storage compartment tray which hold that mounting for phone in place, I would unplug electrical connections then mod armrest.

Be careful as these bits of plastic are not cheap, repair set for front catch £18, storage compartment about £80, repair set for lower trim is £20.

Hope this helps, now when I get time I can finally have my HTC and any other phone with universal phone holder & USB recharge point in the armrest, thanks to your most helpful idea ... :approve:

[Einstein]

Just a heads up for us Galaxy S2 owners..

Recently upgraded to ICS 4.0.3, did a full format and had to resync the bluetooth with the car..

Found it wouldn't use RSAP, (Remote Sim Access Profile) and would only connect via hands free mode.. this wastes battery, and doesn't use the cars aerial.

After searching, I found out that RSAP has been dropped in ICS, so until they sort it out, I have downgraded back to Gingerbread..

So, if you are thinking of going to ICS, you may wish to wait a while.

John

[bionicvapourboy]

Thanks Gup, those pics are fantastic, much appreciated! I'll upload pics once I've tackled it (just waiting for a hardwireable usb cable to arrive). I cant reply to pm's as yet so I'll just reply here, the topic change is a great idea/fine by me :)

Also Einstein, as far as Im aware, phones connected via bluetooth dont use the cars aerial anyway, only ones using the phone prep do? ( I may be wrong!) but I suggest you ditch the official 4.0.3 rom as its pretty awful, root your galaxy and go with Cyanogen Mod 9, unlike the Samsung rom its close to the stock ICS rom so it looks much nicer and has far fewer bugs/better performance and battery life. They also updated it every day or 2.

[gupsterg]

No prob mate, happy to help and great idea.:You_Rock_

Gonna do mod to mine and great thing is that all people can do this! All have 12v electrics plus already fused!

[Guest 2]

Phones that use RSAP use the cars aerial for better signal stength and less battery use on the phone.

Phones can either be conncted (handset dependant) via Handsfree mode (just transfers the sound to the car, iPhones) or RSAP where the sim card is used direct from the phone and all features are used via the car ;)

Let me know what you want the thread changed to and it can be done ;)

[Einstein]

Can confirm it's back on RASP..
You get a sim card logo on the MMI, And the radio is disabled on the phone.

John..

[gupsterg]

Phones that use RSAP use the cars aerial for better signal stength and less battery use on the phone.

Thanks great info, is there list of phones with rSAP? did quick google could not find..


Can confirm it's back on RASP..
You get a sim card logo on the MMI, And the radio is disabled on the phone.

John..

I think I read somewhere that these type of phones allow display of text's on MMI screen... this occurs with your phone? or is this where you insert sim in phone prep in armrest?

[Einstein]

Yes, that's correct, but it works independent of the phone..

If a txt comes in, you read it on the MMI display, however, it does not get received by the phone.

I think you can reply on the mmi, but it's fiddly..
The txt will remain on the car, until deleted, although I have had plenty that keep coming back, even though I delete them.

John.

[bionicvapourboy]

Done :D Works well when combined with Tasker to turn the bluetooth on when the phone is connected to a power source, and bluetooth off when its disconnected :)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24614481/a6-phone.jpg

[Guest 2]

Done :D Works well when combined with Tasker to turn the bluetooth on when the phone is connected to a power source, and bluetooth off when its disconnected :)

Full write up please! ;)

Well done!!

[bionicvapourboy]

To tell you the truth its far too simple to warrant a full write up and I didnt take pics during the install, my bad! I followed the pics gup uploaded to dismantle the armrest and used this item to hardwire a usb cable to the cigarette lighter at the rear of the centre console

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230695511123?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_772wt_905

[Guest 2]

Is it hard connecting it to the cigarette lighter?

My car is still under warranty so wouldn't want to be splicing too many wires ...

[bionicvapourboy]

That was pretty easy, you can either buy those little connectors that snap onto a cable using pliers and splice the cable whilst connecting another cable to it (I cant remember the name of them but halfords sell them and Im sure someone on here can tell you the name) or alternatively just strip a little of the plastic from the cables using a knife and solder the wires together which is what I did :) If memory serves, the brown cable is the -ve/ground feed and the blue/black cable is the +ve

[gupsterg]

Looks good, glad it worked... thanks for ebay link...

[kite]

Think the splicing clips are called scotchlocks

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