Audi B7 A4 DIY: Installing GPS Extension Cable for Sharkfin Antenna

[Neverfollow-rs4]

Ok, so finally I found some time to wire the GPS cable from the back all the way to the radio for the RNS-e. I don't have one yet but I wanted to take care of the antenna so I don't have to worry about it later when I get the RNS-e. Hopefully this can be set as a DIY by the admin/moderator.

Here we go:

Material/Tools:

1. Sharkfin extension cable - Got it from navparts




2. Set of torx bits that I picked up from Pepboys



3. 8/10mm sockets (Not sure which one exactly, socket extender).


Instructions:

First, take off the panel that's in the picture. There are four clips on there so slide your fingers in from the windshield side as much as you can and pull it down. You will hear loud noise as if you are breaking something, don't worry its just the clips coming out.




After you take the panel off you will see the torrx screw, take the screw out. Now do not try to pull the headliner, just the side piece, on the picture stick your fingers down where arrows are pointing on the picture as far as you can and pull it toward yourself, you might need to pull little harder and again, don't worry its just the clips but don't pull too hard.




After few clips come out as you will hear it you will see the black foam with a plastic tie behind the panel as you can see in the picture. I just cut the plastic tie so I can move the foam and get to the connector easier. Cut the plastic tie as close as you can to the metal and make sure you don't catch any cables while you are cutting it. GPS connector is labeled on the picture.



Next thing is to take the roof handle off. There are little plastic covers over the screws so just use really small flat head screwdrivers to pop them open, they dont come off so dont try to pull them off completely. On the front visor take the little plastic cover off so you can access the screw to take it out, once when you take the screw put just slowly start pulling out the visor as there is a cable that connects the light that's inside it. Remove the front roof handle. Once when you have both of them out push your fingers inside between the car and the trip in the back seat and pull it toward yourself so it unclips. Even though the front and back trim pieces are two separate things I could not separate them by the AIRBAG plastic cover so don't worry about it, you will have enough room to slide the cable by there.




On the second picture you can unclip the little connector so the visor doesn't just hang on the thin wires. To disconnect it, take small flat head screwdriver and push in on the small silver part.




Now plug in the cable in the back and start running in toward the front. I was able to hide it behind the headliner, it takes patience but it looks nice and clean when its hidden. You can see in the picture how to push it back behind the headliner.




When you get to the windshield side panel run the cable to the outside (closer to the door, red line on the picture and the way you see it in the picture which is right side) so this way it will be cleaner and more hidden and also easier to run once when you get the glove box out.





Now you can push all the trim pieces back in their places (the front trim that I labeled as on which side to run the cable was little tricky for me and I managed to brake one of the clips when I was putting it back because it was not on the hole so I quickly run to the dealer and they had only one in stock, $1.59, make sure you check that the clip is on the hole before you try to push it in so you don't do the same mistake as I did)

Now take out the glove box. There are 9 screws, all labeled on the pictures.






Once when you take the screws out just pull the glove box out but not too hard because there is a connector on the bottom for the lights. With the glove box out be creative and run the cable the way you want away from glove box and make sure its not on the way when you out the glove box back. One thing is make sure that you run it behind the metal piece marked in the picture below so that way the cable is right behind the radio.





Now you can place the cable in the back of the radio or you can take the radio out and put the cable under the radio which is what I did since I already had the keys for the radio to take it out.
Put the glove box back in and thats it!!

It took me about hour and a half just because it was my first time doing it and I was careful not to break anything. It can be done in less than an hour but it took me longer trying to fit the front piece trim, looking for the broken clip, figuring out where to run the cable etc. Some people run the cable down by the carpet trim but to me it seemed a lot easier to run it by the roof side trim since xm cable runs there anyway.

Let me know if you guys have any questions and I hope somebody finds this useful.

[boravr6]

Let me know if you guys have any questions and I hope somebody finds this useful.

I posted too quick on your other ost!

i DO find it useful!!!

question though. you had the sharkfin already on the roof but it wasnt connected?

My problem is i dont even have the sharkfin!

[greywarden]

whew thank god i found this guide. i broke a few clips and plastics that's why i am here forced to look for some guides to follow.lol damn it! i fear i will have some unusual noise during high speed because i broke some of the clips that hold it firm at tight. anyway this is where i get my audi antenna.