Removing and installing centre console: Audi A8 D3

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

Don't miss

• Take particular care when unfastening clip at end of trim panel closest to driver.
• The protective cap is designed to prevent the end face of the optical fibre from becoming soiled or damaged, as this would impair light transmission.
• To unplug electrical connector at rear Climatronic operating and display unit, press catch (1), turn retaining bracket in direction of -arrow- and unplug connector.
• When fitting trim panel (1) with switch panel make sure both catches are inserted in centre of trim panel between dash panel and monitor housing (arrows).

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Move front seats to rearmost position and set backrests to 45° position.
2. ⚠ Observe safety regulations for pyrotechnic components . — With ignition switched on, disconnect battery earth wire Electrical system27.
3. Remove airbag unit and steering wheel .
4. Use screwdriver to prise off dash panel end trim (left-side) (arrow).
5. Carefully separate trim panel (1) from dash panel using removal wedge3409(arrows).

6. Open coin holder.
7. Slide trim for coin holder to left out of fastener (arrow) and detach.
8. Open glove box.
9. Starting from above glove box, carefully separate trim panel (1) with switch module from dash panel using removal wedge3409. [Note: Take particular care when unfastening clip at end of trim panel closest to driver.]
10. Unplug electrical connector.
11. Unscrew driver's storage compartment (arrows).
12. Unplug electrical connectors.
13. On vehicles with knee airbag: Pull catch (2) in direction of arrow and unplug electrical connectors (1) and (3).
14. Use screwdriver to prise off dash panel end trim (right-side) (arrow).
15. If fitted, remove CD changer as follows:
16. Insert two keys of radio release tool T10057 into front of CD changer.
17. Pull CD changer out of mounting frame.
18. Unplug electrical connector.
19. Unplug connector for optical fibre.
20. Cover open wiring harness connector (2) of optical fibre cable with protective capVAS 6223/9(Item 1). [Note: The protective cap is designed to prevent the end face of the optical fibre from becoming soiled or damaged, as this would impair light transmission.]
21. Press catches on CD changer and pull release keys out of CD changer.
22. If fitted, remove storage compartment from glove box. To do so, use small screwdriver to release retaining tabs (1) and (2) in (direction of arrow).
23. Pull storage compartment out of glove box.
24. Remove bolts (arrows).
25. Remove bolts (1) and (2).
26. Unplug electrical connector (1) for glove box wiring harness (2) from supply lead (3).
27. On vehicles with knee airbag: Pull catch (2) in direction of arrow and unplug electrical connectors (1) and (3).
28. Remove glove box.
29. Open ashtray (rear) (2).
30. Detach trim (1) from mounting frame (arrow).
31. Close ashtray.
32. Detach ashtray from mounting frame in direction of (arrow).
33. Prise trim (1) off mounting frame using removal wedge3409(arrow).
34. Remove bolts (arrows).
35. Detach mounting frame (1) with air vents and ashtray/rear Climatronic operating and display unit. [Note: To unplug electrical connector at rear Climatronic operating and display unit, press catch (1), turn retaining bracket in direction of -arrow- and unplug connector.]
36. Unplug electrical connectors (1 ... 4).
37. Remove nuts (arrows) for rear centre console.
38. Fold centre armrests upwards.
39. Lift off trim for armrest hinge (arrow).
40. Remove bolts (arrows).
41. Unplug connectors for storage compartment illumination (accessible through opening for rear ventilation).
42. Lift off centre armrests.
43. Fold centre armrest upwards.
44. Use removal wedge3409 to prise front corners of storage compartment out of centre console (arrow 1) and pull storage compartment forwards (arrow 2).
45. Unplug electrical connectors (1) and (2) and detach storage compartment.
46. Unplug electrical connectors (1).
47. Remove bolts (arrows) on both sides of centre console.
48. Press button (arrow) and take out insert (1) for ashtray (front).
49. Unscrew bolt (arrow) and remove housing for front ashtray.
50. Unplug electrical connector.
51. Lift off centre console switch trim (arrows).
52. Unplug electrical connectors.
53. Unscrew bolts (2).
54. Release retaining springs (1) with small screwdriver (arrow).
55. Swivel top edge of Climatronic control unit J255 to rear.
56. Take Climatronic control unit out of mounting.
57. Unplug electrical connectors (A ... E) by releasing retaining tab (G).
58. Unplug electrical connector (F).
59. Remove bolts (arrows).
60. Use screwdriver, for example, to press on rocker (A) of selector lever manual release mechanism.

Other AUDI procedures

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