Audi A4 8E: Retrofit GRA & Onboard Computer

Hi,


As it's probably quite obvious, I'm still quite new here.

I've also been a proud owner of a VAG-COM diagnostic system for a while now, as we have quite a few VAG vehicles in our family.

However, I'm not very familiar with how to use it yet.

But now, let me get to the point.

I drive an Audi A4 Avant 8E (AVF) manufactured in December 2003.

The car doesn't have cruise control... I definitely want to have it installed.

You can correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, I need this for...

1. New steering column control unit.
2. The GRA leverage.
3. New casing/housing.
4. Enable this feature in the AI settings.

It appears that the following item is being offered on a well-known online auction platform.

Steering column control unit, GRA lever, lever for the onboard computer, and instrument cluster with onboard computer function (all from an 8E, but a gasoline engine).

I just had the idea to completely redesign everything to also be able to use the on-board computer functions.

I've already done some searching here, but it seems like this isn't going to be easy, especially when it comes to changing the engine control unit (ECU). The immobilizer system is linked to it.

That's why my thought process, as a newcomer to VAG-COM...

"When I replace the instrument cluster (IC), I need to 'marry' the new IC and the MSG (Modular Signaling Gateway), as you guys say. For that, I need the login codes of my existing control units and the login code of the new IC. Then, my two car keys also need to be paired with the new IC."

It sounds quite simple in theory, but it doesn't seem easy to obtain the login codes.

What do you think about it? Is the effort even worth it for those few extra features?
Are there any experiences regarding how quickly and with what effort (including financial cost) VAG dealers issue the login codes?
And if I were to obtain the login codes, how easy would it be for a complete beginner to use them?

ps.:

I once copied the data from my engine control unit... it seems there are different immobilizer systems available.

Part number: 8e0 920 900 m
Beiteil: Kombi+Wegfahrs. RB4 D42
Encoding: 00001
Workshop: WSC 45306

Best regards and thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

4. enable the whole thing in the AI


In the engine control unit.



Are there any experiences regarding how quickly and with what effort (including financial cost) VAG dealers provide the login codes.

He's not releasing them anymore.

Okay, I'll just do that quickly using BC.

Do you also need a login code to activate the GRA feature in the MSG?

Best, Sascha.

Hello,

I also own an 8E model. It comes with GRA (Galvanized Reinforcement) from the factory. The FIS (Facility Information System) can be encoded in that way.
You need to read the part number of your steering column module and then check which functions it performs.
The main control units are only used for functions like "coming home" and "automatic headlights," and a few other things.

I can recode mine to work with FIS.

You probably don't need to replace the combination instrument. You have a large display, right?

Give me some information about your car and read the license plate number.
Then I can certainly help you.

Best regards, Hagen.

Sure, here's the translation:

"Hi there," or "Hello," or "Good morning."

It's been a year already, but I finally found the time today to install the graphics card.

Now that I've seen my post has almost 2000 views, I'll share my experiences, hopefully it will help someone.

Regarding the installed parts: I found a complete set on eBay from a vehicle that had GRA (rear wiper control) and FIS (information system) levers installed (the donor vehicle had BC - likely referring to a specific type of control unit). This set included the corresponding control unit and the necessary covers.

I disconnected the battery as a safety precaution before disassembling the airbag.

I already had some problems during the disassembly because I didn't have the right Torx key for the cover. But otherwise, the disassembly was really straightforward.

I then, out of laziness (and due to a lack of knowledge), installed the new control unit, including the GRA lever and the FIS lever. However, the levers can also be disconnected from the control unit; I have now installed the standard lever on the right side, which doesn't have the FIS functions.

After I had reassembled everything and connected the battery, my dashboard had transformed into a Christmas tree.
Disconnecting the battery (according to the VAG workshop) also caused the ESP control unit's coding to be lost and the steering angle sensor's calibration to be reset.
I was able to recode the steering column control unit to GRA mode without any problems. For some reason, I couldn't recode the ESP (but maybe I did something wrong there).
I also couldn't get the steering angle sensor working again.

I then drove to the workshop. The guys there also needed some time to get the car running properly again.
We also reinstalled the old control unit and installed a different steering angle sensor, but the old control unit wouldn't work with the GRA lever, and the ESP system simply wouldn't cooperate with the steering angle sensor.

They then performed some kind of reset on the ESP module using their VAS diagnostic tool, after which the steering angle sensor started working again. The ESP system then also needed to be calibrated with a test drive.
The rest of the team then implemented the coding in the same way that I had tried.
They said that the ESP system probably wouldn't have crashed if the battery hadn't been disconnected.

The only thing that wasn't clear to me was how to enable the GRA (Gearbox Recognition Algorithm) in the MSG (Mechatronic Control Unit). It seemed quite straightforward with the VAS (Vehicle Diagnostic System). I'm still a bit unclear on how to do it with VAG-COM, and perhaps someone could explain to me how it works.

I'll just leave this here without any comments.
These are just my personal experiences. But maybe it will help someone else.

Oh dear, this is what happens when you don't use the internet to its full potential.

If you don't know what you're doing, it's difficult to achieve a flawless result.

I think it's wrong to tamper with an airbag without knowing how it works.

There are actually some very good guides available on how to retrofit a GRA (presumably a specific type of device). For example, information on how to code certain things can be found here.

http://de.openobd.org/audi/a4_8e.htm#16

,,,