How-to: B5 PRE-facelift Increasing Remote Range
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From: Townsend, MA
How-to: B5 PRE-facelift Increasing Remote Range
After reading the recent post by 2k S4, I thought it would be cool to do it myself only to find that there is no documentation for pre-facelift cars other than '96. In the end, I was able to successfully increase the range on my '97 A4.
The problem that I encountered is that, even though people were saying that the antenna is under the rear seat, I could not find anything. I also used to have a 96 A4, and I know for a fact that the antenna for that was under the rear seat, so I know what to look for. After lots of searching, ripping my car apart, and studying wiring diagrams, I found the problem: there was no antenna at all! Here is what I did:
Also, I appologize for the lack of photos, but I didn't think this would work and didn't bother. I'll just try to explain as clearly as possible.
1. First I uncovered the central locking module. This is located in the trunk, under the passenger side (US model) tail light. It is also covered by some foam padding, but it shouldn't get in the way too much.
2. There are three (3) electrical connectors pluging into it. From top to bottom, unplug the middle one. It should be a 16 pin connector.
3. Pull the plug apart to expose the wires plugging onto the pins.
4. Locate pin #1. In my case, there was no wire here. As I continue on, I will assume that you don't have a wire there either.
5. I ran some 18 guage wire through the weather stripping on the tail light and down to the inside of the rear bumper. It may help if you remove the tail light, but I didn't have to.
6. Now I just ran the wire along the bumper almost all the way to the exhaust. I secured it with some zip ties. This is the article that I am basing this on and it also has some relevant pictures: https://www.audiforums.com/m_556792/tm.htm
7. Back in the trunk, you should plug the wire into pin #1 of the connector. However, since I used 18 guage wire, it wouldn't fit into the wire tap connector. I just found some thinner wire, plugged it in, then soldered it to the 18 guage wire.
8. Thats pretty much it, put everything back together and enjoy the increased range of your transmitter!
If by chance you do have a wire in pin #1, find where it goes and make the antenna longer.
In the end, I increased the range by several car lengths, and it was well worth the effort! Good luck!
The problem that I encountered is that, even though people were saying that the antenna is under the rear seat, I could not find anything. I also used to have a 96 A4, and I know for a fact that the antenna for that was under the rear seat, so I know what to look for. After lots of searching, ripping my car apart, and studying wiring diagrams, I found the problem: there was no antenna at all! Here is what I did:
Also, I appologize for the lack of photos, but I didn't think this would work and didn't bother. I'll just try to explain as clearly as possible.
1. First I uncovered the central locking module. This is located in the trunk, under the passenger side (US model) tail light. It is also covered by some foam padding, but it shouldn't get in the way too much.
2. There are three (3) electrical connectors pluging into it. From top to bottom, unplug the middle one. It should be a 16 pin connector.
3. Pull the plug apart to expose the wires plugging onto the pins.
4. Locate pin #1. In my case, there was no wire here. As I continue on, I will assume that you don't have a wire there either.
5. I ran some 18 guage wire through the weather stripping on the tail light and down to the inside of the rear bumper. It may help if you remove the tail light, but I didn't have to.
6. Now I just ran the wire along the bumper almost all the way to the exhaust. I secured it with some zip ties. This is the article that I am basing this on and it also has some relevant pictures: https://www.audiforums.com/m_556792/tm.htm
7. Back in the trunk, you should plug the wire into pin #1 of the connector. However, since I used 18 guage wire, it wouldn't fit into the wire tap connector. I just found some thinner wire, plugged it in, then soldered it to the 18 guage wire.
8. Thats pretty much it, put everything back together and enjoy the increased range of your transmitter!
If by chance you do have a wire in pin #1, find where it goes and make the antenna longer.
In the end, I increased the range by several car lengths, and it was well worth the effort! Good luck!
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