Chris' 200 20v Avant - RENNWGN - Blowed Up

[Foscora]

Vent is looking like the simplest viable option. I'd definitely do it if I had a spare Kevin!

I still want to try to make a pid, but that can be sometime in the future. Did you cut it with a holes saw?

That mirror gauge is awesome. I would like to put my radar detector and a wideband display there. That'd be awesome!

Glad to see you consider the vent option, in my opinion that's the best way to do a clean "oem-like" installation.

[ChrisAudi80]

I think A pillar. You can paint it in the same color as the interior or even cover it with that stuff.
It might be a little ricer, but I would prefer it for "safety" purposes and you don't have to hack a vent.

Plus, you get to design something! lawl

EDIT: You know how hard it is to find RHD A pillar gauge pods for a B4?

[Einbilden]

I think Summit has A pillar pods that will fit and look good as i have them in my A4. Although in that car i have ventmounted guage also.
I used a small set of sidecutters to cut the vent , that worked out great for me.

[loxxrider]

Hmm, I guess we'll see about the mirror whenever I get in touch with them. For now, I've got bigger and better things to focus on!

Such as, how the hell do I get the rear seats to come back up after folding them down?

and

My driver's rear window doesn't work. It doesn't even try to work, which indicates that there is most likely a wiring problem. I changed out the switches for the two rear windows with no result, so I don't think the fault is in the rear switch. I also tried rolling both down from the front switch. No dice there either. Not even a click from the motor. I can't remember now whether either of the rear ones worked from any point in the car... I'm thinking maybe the driver's armrest switch group is to blame. Thoughts? This is when I wish I had my sedan with the avant at all times!



I will definitely go with the vent for now, at least until I have the time to work on a gauge pod project. Kevin has cut a vent for me already I do like the pod option because it's safer and more convenient, but I have to put the gauge somewhere in the meantime! Either way, I will make a cap to put over it for when I want to be somewhat stealthy.

[WOMBAT]

My driver's rear window was the same and it ended up (and continues to be) a seized motor. It must have gotten wet because it's just a block of rusty motor now.

[loxxrider]

I got a chance to go to the farm and work on the Rennwgn again this past weekend. I had a few parts come in from Germany.

NOS CAC Ruhekissen in Platinum







I have 8 total... not sure whether I actually want all 8 or not, so if anyone wants some let me know

Some of the last remaining (2 sets) of Euro reflectors







The first order of mechanical business was the Cayenne though. I won't go into detail, but it needed a headlight bulb (BI-XENONS NICK!!!!) and a small bird had to be extracted from inside the intercooler bumper opening



Luckily the headlight pops out with the turn of a single hex head bolt. Pretty ingenious, but of course VAG/Porsche couldn't get it completely right, so the hex key is a 9 mm. Who the hell uses a 9 mm?!?!? Not that easy to find in a regular set of hex keys let alone the bits to fit a 3/8 ratchet. ANYWAY...

Then I spent a pretty good deal of time trying to figure out how best to route the boost gauge and the ridiculous amount of wiring that goes to it to the vent area. I didn't get any pictures, but I did it very cleanly in a way which makes doesn't affect any aspect of vent operation. I just had to trim a thing or two. I can get pictures sometime if you guys want.

Here it sits while waiting for a vent with cut slats.



Then I tested the gauge and found the car to make between 18 and 20 psi peak, tapering off to 15 psi later on. What is interesting is that it will hit "boost cut" with the cutout open, but not with it closed. This often happens even when the boost is tapered off. Maybe that's a lean limit or something rather than "boost cut" as I normally think of it.

Either way, VEMS will solve that problem

Then I FINALLY washed it for the first time. I haven't had the spare time since I drove it home because I've been busy doing more important things like installing boost gauges and speakers











Unfortunately, I found a leak at the rear hatch after the washing.





Not exactly sure where it's coming from, but you can see the a drip around the seal. I don't know, but I'll have to solve this issue ASAP!

[loxxrider]

Good news!

The P!g (Cayenne) is sold. I had/have mixed feelings about it, but more positive than negative. It's nice to have that debt off of my shoulders. I'll miss it, but not too much. As long as the RENNWGN can stay reliable, I'll be more than happy.

Today I picked up the avant from the farm to bring back out to the rig. It made the ~150 mile journey flawlessly. The only bothersome things were a few hard bumps in the road (I think the front struts need some freshening, even if they aren't shot), the brake pad warning light came on once, and of course the air conditioning is plain maddening.

I never have and probably never will understand that stupid GM AC unit. It just seems to blow when and wherever it wants to (feet, windshield, dash, etc.) and puts out a pretty pathetic breeze which I have trouble directing to myself. This has made placing the new gauge a bit difficult. I've chosen to put it in the center vent closest to the steering wheel. It seems the middle one blows the hardest while still being able to be pointed at me, so I think it's best to have that one available. Plus, the gauge placement is slightly more stealthy there when looking in from the driver's side, with good visibility while driving.

I have to thank Kevin for making the cut out vent for me. You're awesome! Throw him some beer money and maybe he'll do one for you too Nice touch on the packaging. I will post pictures when I get the chance. I've been up for about 36 hours now, so off to bed! I will dream about suspension upgrades

[GTJeff]

Yea I hate the AC unit too. The worst thing is the pathetic defrost.

The system works better if you make sure that the vacuum servo under the passenger side dash is functional and the servo mount is not broken.

[loxxrider]

Yeah, I'm slightly suspect of that and will take a look soon. Stupid vacuum controlled everything!

[pilihp2]

I've always had nothing but issues with my climate control system. It kinda works now, but when blowing A/C it likes to blow 80% of it at the windshield.
Cause you know, that's fucking useful. Thanks Audi.


WTB Manual Climate control box and associated controls.

[loxxrider]

lol same here.

I had the exact same problems with my sedan, but I'm pretty sure I eventually figured it out. I can't remember if I fixed it by fixing a vacuum line, or if it was that flap thing or what, but I'm determined to fix it.

[chaloux]

AC is overrated. Big turbo time.

[ChrisAudi80]

Did you sell the CF Cayenne trim too?

[loxxrider]

No, I still have it. I had a buyer, but it fell through at the last minute. I'm actively trying to sell still though.

[pilihp2]

AC is overrated. Big turbo time.

AC is underrated around here. Its not much extra weight for such a nice comfort.

[85oceanic]

I do believe you can convert the old control head to the B5 A4 style which would be really nice. Seriously Chris, I love this car, it's going to make a SIICK daily. Also, that gauge site is AWeSOME! I believe I'm going to have to use it at some point in time.

[loxxrider]

I do believe you can convert the old control head to the B5 A4 style which would be really nice. Seriously Chris, I love this car, it's going to make a SIICK daily. Also, that gauge site is AWeSOME! I believe I'm going to have to use it at some point in time.

Is there information about this somewhere?

[Mcstiff]

It's probably similar to converting the GM unit in a CQ to the B4 style. Did 200s have manual controls ever?

[pilihp2]

It's probably similar to converting the GM unit in a CQ to the B4 style. Did 200s have manual controls ever?

T44's both 200 and 5k got manual controls in europe, and probably everywhere else besides the US.
What does the b4 swap entail on a CQ? everything from the b4 or can you use just the head unit?

[loxxrider]

Thanks guys, and thanks Ben! I'm excited about it too. It has been pretty well received at the rig so far too!

In fact, I just ordered some serious sound equipment to help fill in da low end

Looking forward to what you come up with for a gauge...

[loxxrider]

I explored a bit this afternoon and found a few things.

First of all, the two rear windows weren't working becuase the rear window lock was on. I would think the front would work of it was on, but I messed with it for a but and it started working. I don't know... But now the rear drivers side works. Just need to verify the problem with the rear passenger and that should get it working.

That will leave the sunroof as the last remaining electrical item which is broken (although it's a linkage/cable issue for sure).

Next I tried to diagnose the ac vent problem. I busted out the Bentley manuals and found plenty of interesting information, but not much I didn't already know. So I did some searching around in the engine bay. Most of the vac lines looked good but I replaced a few of the short, soft lines preventatively. I found that the hard line in this circuit which attaches to the intake manifold was a little loose, and pulled it off. When I did that, I found that the soft lining inside of it had separated. Maybe this will solve the climate control issue. I will find out the next few times I drive the car I suppose. If this hasn't solved the issue, I may have to look at the vacuum accumulator. I just don't see any of the interior vacuum lines being a problem. They are protected and are rarely ever in bad shape.

[Mcstiff]

It's probably similar to converting the GM unit in a CQ to the B4 style. Did 200s have manual controls ever?

T44's both 200 and 5k got manual controls in europe, and probably everywhere else besides the US.
What does the b4 swap entail on a CQ? everything from the b4 or can you use just the head unit?

Manual seems like the way to go but...


http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25081

[pilihp2]

It's probably similar to converting the GM unit in a CQ to the B4 style. Did 200s have manual controls ever?

T44's both 200 and 5k got manual controls in europe, and probably everywhere else besides the US.
What does the b4 swap entail on a CQ? everything from the b4 or can you use just the head unit?

Manual seems like the way to go but...


http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25081

Manual, although easy, is not easy to find.

[Wheeljack]

IIRC, many (all?) of the C3 100's have manual CC. I would think that would swap in pretty easily and they seem to be at the salvage yards fairly frequently.

I was very happy with the manual CC I put in my eS2. I thought about the later auto CC, but hard to argue with the simplicity and reliability of the bowden cables.

[Mcstiff]

How about a C4 A6?