Glove Box AC for A4?

[pepper10]

Has anyone tried to add the AC duct to the glove box on an A4 like in the Passats? I know there is a pre-punched hole marking in the fabric and it would be easy to add the knob for the AC but what about the actual connections to the ducts? It's a great add-on for the long trips...

 

[dieselgus]

A/C in the glovebox???.... I don't follow it. To keep road sodas cold? Hmmm.... guy at work here just picked up a 2000 Passat... I'll check it out.

Gus

 

[weedeater]

I've seen this as an option or a standard feature in some luxury cars. Apparently it is to keep things like flashlight battteries, CDs and candy bars cool so they won't destroy the inside of the glove box.

 

[pepper10]

I know for sure that the 2002 and up Saab 9.5 and the Passat 2004 have the glovebox cooling feature. There is a plastic knob in the wall (facing you when you open the glovebox) that you can rotate to adjust the volume of cool air into the box. People use it to cool drinks and such. I an sure the knob is cheap. It's the connections behind the dash that I am curious about...

 

[dieseldorf]

It's a great add-on for the long trips...

Yeah, nuthin' better than keeping your favorite "soda" cold

pepper, I can suggest you remove the glove box and inspect the ductwork to see if it is possible.

 

[pepper10]

Trust me on this one. I WILL find a way. I was just wondering if anyone here had done it before. I was comparing my Jetta to my brother in laws' Saab 9.5. We had them side by side (side by each for you northern folks..

) and were comparing features. Although he has the headlight washing nozzles, the two cars are quite similar (the trunk is better finished in the VW btw) but he has the glovebox cooler and was teasing me about it. I'll show him....

 

[arootbeer]

pepper, I can suggest you remove the glove box and inspect the ductwork to see if it is possible.

That's downright generous of you, dorf

 

[tongsli]

Trust me on this one. I WILL find a way. I was just wondering if anyone here had done it before. I was comparing my Jetta to my brother in laws' Saab 9.5. We had them side by side (side by each for you northern folks.. ) and were comparing features. Although he has the headlight washing nozzles, the two cars are quite similar (the trunk is better finished in the VW btw) but he has the glovebox cooler and was teasing me about it. I'll show him....

ahhh...in-law envy. Nothin better!

Please post some pictures when you get it done?


L

 

[pepper10]

could be a while but I'll do that. I'll be damned if a Saab gets the better from a Jetta!

 

[Dave_Head]

Audi's have that feature available also...

 

[MaxThrust]

Maybe check the junk yard out for a trashed J/G/NB, or even an Audi. If an Audi, one could get lucky and find one with that feature...take all the parts including the glove box. If a J/G/NB, grab one of the single A/C outlets and a good section of A/C hose from behind the outlet, maybe even one of the Y connectors if you can reach that far, and possibly the glove box. It would then be a simple matter of using some ingenuity, a Dremel, patience, and a bit of luck. You could then mount the A/C vent in the glove box and it would have the built in ability to close the vent when not needed. If you were really in the modding mood, it would be very simple to even hook up the vent lighting, just like the rest of the vents.

Heck, I like that idea so much I may wonder over to the local bone yard and see what I can dig up for myself. I live in Twosun, AZ and it gets plenty hot around here. I always have a pop, water, or both with me, it would be nice to keep one in the glove box nice and cool. A/C blows plenty cold and in that confined space it would keep your beverage of choice at a nice temperature.

YMMV

Mike

 

[TDi110]

Where is the A/C unit located, just had a look at mine but couldn't find it. (Mines a right hooker by the way). Mind you I only removed the glove box and couldn't see much after that.

I guess there should be a grommet in the housing where the hose to the glove box connects.

Does anyone have any pictures of the HVAC system?

Iv'e seen a how to for the Audi which makes it look straight forward mod to do.

Dubster.

 

[RRTom]

Sounds like a good thing to have, Pepper10. it would make use of the cut-out that is provided in the glove box material. I always am one for adding things that should have come that way from the factory.

I like your comment about "side by each". I haven't heard that since I moved from R.I..

 

[pepper10]

TDI110, I have the schematic for an '04 Passat and the tubing that connects the AC dust to the glovebox has 2 90 degree bends. It goes out towards the firewall, up 90 then out towards the firewall again with the second 90. It's not shown where it connects to the ac duct but it seemed to connect to the vent below the windshield??? Doesn't make sense to me. I have to take a drive to a junkyard and take a look at one that has the feature...

RRTom, don't you just miss those funky Yankee expressions!

 

[rperks]

I have not done the search, but a while back there were a few people here that were swapping the US glovebox for a wider one from Europe. If I recall it had somthing to do with knee protection in an accident, but if you are going through the trouble to cool it, you might as well do the search and see if it makes sense to get a bigger box as well

 

[RRTom]

Yes, I do miss those funky Yankee expressions! Here in Seattle, they sometimes have a little trouble understanding those expressions that are holdovers from my New England days.

 

[KevinR]

Check out this Audi World tech page for some help. Not exactly the same, but could give you an idea of how VW/Audi engineers think about this feature.

 

[pepper10]

OK. I've finally installed it. It is a PITA, I can tell you that much. You will need 4 parts taken from a B5 Passat (and a lot of patience...):
Hose 3B1-816-311 $12.10
Valve 3B0-816-355-01C $2.04
Outlet 3B1-820-701 $10.44
Some long tie-wraps

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14906&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

First start by removing the armrest cover
[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14905&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove the 13mm bolt for the armrest and pull up on the armrest to remove it.
[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14907&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Open and remove the rear ashtray and remove the 2 bolts under it.

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14908&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull out the tabs for the center console bolts and remove the bolt on each side

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14909&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove the fron console bolts in each footwell.

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14910&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull up on the shifter boot ring to seperate it from the console

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14911&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull the e-brake up all the way. Lift the fron console up to seperate it from the center console and lift the center console up from the rear in a swiveling motion to slide it over the e-brake.

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14912&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

NO PIC... revome the red fron ashtray and revove the bolt underneath. Slide the front console towards the rear while pushing the ashtray assembly towards the front. It will slide out as you remove the console. Rund the shift boot through the console as you lift.

Remove the driver side under dash panels. There are 3 bolts under the panels. DO NOT remove the 2 bolts for the diagnostics adaptor.

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14913&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Open the fuse box cover and pull out the dash side panel

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14914&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull the left under-dash panel out

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14915&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove the last bolt for the right under-dash panel and pull the panel out.

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14916&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Picture of the car without the consoles showing the boot and ashtray left behind

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14917&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove glove box bolt under radio

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14918&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Open glove box and pull out the right dash side panel

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14919&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove all 6 remaining glove box bolts: 3 inside on top and 3 under the glove box

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14920&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

As you pull the glove box out, don't forget to disconnect the glove box light!

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14921&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Remove the 4 radio/climate control module bolts

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14922&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull out the panel under the AC switch and remove the bolt behind it, then pull the radio/ A/C module out and let it hang

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14923&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Drill a 7/8" hole in the bottom right corner of the A/C duct. There is a flat surface there. This location will work only when the front vents are selected (no windshield vent). I didn't want to risk hitting the A/C coil in the ducts...

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14924&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Pull the white insutation up from the bottom and insert it in the upper dash to hold it temporarily while you work in there. Run the glove box A/C hose from the hole to behind the glove box behind the metal support in the dash

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14925&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Make sure the wire harness is placed as in this picture

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14926&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Install the outlet tabs behind the wire harness and connect the hose to it. The tabs will hold the wires tightly so wear is not an issue

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14927&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Install a tie-wrap around the 2 bolts shown by the arrows. The tie should wrap at the front of the outlet to push it in making sure it stays straight

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14928&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Put the insulation back in place and cust a hole in it for the outlet to seal against the glove box

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14929&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

I had to snip pieces of the outlet foam away to better aling the hole in the glove box valve

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14930&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Punch the hole piece out of the glove box. Push on it from the inside. It will pop out

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14931&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]

Push the valve in the hole

[image]http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=14932&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=[/image]


Re-install in the reverse. Here is the ETKA diagram for the Passat B5 air ducts. Number 27A on the diagram is a rubber seal that retails for $50. It is not needed. I tested my new glove box A/C on a few trips and I was quite successful at keeping drinks and baby formula cold!

 

[pepper10]

Darn. I'll figure a way to make the pictures work. I just don't have the time right now....

 

[DareDiesel]

(Here it is fixed. Not sure why it wasn't working but suspect that some sort of text combo was messing up the bbcode parser.)

OK. I've finally installed it. It is a PITA, I can tell you that much. You will need 4 parts taken from a B5 Passat (and a lot of patience...):
Hose 3B1-816-311 $12.10
Valve 3B0-816-355-01C $2.04
Outlet 3B1-820-701 $10.44
Some long tie-wraps

First start by removing the armrest cover

Remove the 13mm bolt for the armrest and pull up on the armrest to remove it.

Open and remove the rear ashtray and remove the 2 bolts under it.

Pull out the tabs for the center console bolts and remove the bolt on each side

Remove the fron console bolts in each footwell.

Pull up on the shifter boot ring to seperate it from the console

Pull the e-brake up all the way. Lift the fron console up to seperate it from the center console and lift the center console up from the rear in a swiveling motion to slide it over the e-brake.

NO PIC... revome the red fron ashtray and revove the bolt underneath. Slide the front console towards the rear while pushing the ashtray assembly towards the front. It will slide out as you remove the console. Rund the shift boot through the console as you lift.

Remove the driver side under dash panels. There are 3 bolts under the panels. DO NOT remove the 2 bolts for the diagnostics adaptor.

Open the fuse box cover and pull out the dash side panel

Pull the left under-dash panel out

Remove the last bolt for the right under-dash panel and pull the panel out.

Picture of the car without the consoles showing the boot and ashtray left behind

Remove glove box bolt under radio

Open glove box and pull out the right dash side panel

Remove all 6 remaining glove box bolts: 3 inside on top and 3 under the glove box

As you pull the glove box out, don't forget to disconnect the glove box light!

Remove the 4 radio/climate control module bolts

Pull out the panel under the AC switch and remove the bolt behind it, then pull the radio/ A/C module out and let it hang

Drill a 7/8" hole in the bottom right corner of the A/C duct. There is a flat surface there. This location will work only when the front vents are selected (no windshield vent). I didn't want to risk hitting the A/C coil in the ducts...

Pull the white insutation up from the bottom and insert it in the upper dash to hold it temporarily while you work in there. Run the glove box A/C hose from the hole to behind the glove box behind the metal support in the dash

Make sure the wire harness is placed as in this picture

Install the outlet tabs behind the wire harness and connect the hose to it. The tabs will hold the wires tightly so wear is not an issue

Install a tie-wrap around the 2 bolts shown by the arrows. The tie should wrap at the front of the outlet to push it in making sure it stays straight

Put the insulation back in place and cust a hole in it for the outlet to seal against the glove box

I had to snip pieces of the outlet foam away to better aling the hole in the glove box valve

Punch the hole piece out of the glove box. Push on it from the inside. It will pop out

Push the valve in the hole

Re-install in the reverse. Here is the ETKA diagram for the Passat B5 air ducts. Number 27A on the diagram is a rubber seal that retails for $50. It is not needed. I tested my new glove box A/C on a few trips and I was quite successful at keeping drinks and baby formula cold!

 

[pepper10]

Thanks guys. I tested with just one pic and it worked. Oh well. The last picture is missing though. Here it is..

 

[dieseldorf]

NICE !!

 

[04Wagon]

Thanks guys. I tested with just one pic and it worked. Oh well. The last picture is missing though. Here it is..

20 to 25 I take it are rear vents? Has anyone installed these on a jetta to have rear heat and air? Is it possible?

 

[arootbeer]

I think those are the footwell ducts.

 

[TeleDawg]

Wow, What a great mod and DYI instructions.

For those that have done this mod, does it allow heat to be sent to the glovebox? In Alaska I'm more interested in having a place to keep things from freezing than keeping them cold...

Just wondering. If I can heat the glovebox I may consider doing this mod.

Thanks, T.D.

 

[will360655]

I was looking for this post. I have an 05 Passat now, with the cooled glove box. But what i am wondering is how you did it, does it just tap off of the air coming into the cabin? If you have the ac on it is cold and the heat on it is hot? In the Passat, no matter what the air is coming into the cabin, the air going into the glove box is cold. You have the temp up to high and bake the car, but open the glove box and it is cold.
Just a little info from an ex A4 owner.
Will

 

[will360655]

Thanks guys. I tested with just one pic and it worked. Oh well. The last picture is missing though. Here it is..

20 to 25 I take it are rear vents? Has anyone installed these on a jetta to have rear heat and air? Is it possible?

The Jetta's already have them. They come out under the back of the front seats
Will

 

[pepper10]

I was looking for this post. I have an 05 Passat now, with the cooled glove box. But what i am wondering is how you did it, does it just tap off of the air coming into the cabin? If you have the ac on it is cold and the heat on it is hot? In the Passat, no matter what the air is coming into the cabin, the air going into the glove box is cold. You have the temp up to high and bake the car, but open the glove box and it is cold.
Just a little info from an ex A4 owner.
Will

Will, unfortunately, I was only able to get the same air as the one that comes off the front dash vents. In the Passat/Touraeg/Audi the connection is just after the air conditioning coils in the main duct. I didn't want to risk piercing it whilt drilling as I couldn't find a schematic of the the inside of the main duct and taking the whole thing out to figure it out is just too time consuming. If someone can post a pic of a safe place to drill before the air gets to the hot/cold selector door, we could then have cold air all the time. As it is now, if I turn on the heat and select the dash (cabin) vents, I would get hot air inthe glove box.

 

[david_594]

Bump for an old thread but a great mod. And cheap too...

Also, here is a picture I found in ETKA of a 2003 Jetta wagon showing the Glove box AC. Slightly different than how Pepper did it, but probabily way harder than its worth trying to get to.

 

[pepper10]

David, unlike on the Passat AC/Heater unit, there is no plug on the side of the Jetta one to hookup the flexible hose. From looking at the ETKA diagram you posted, it would suggest that there would be one on the top of the unit. The only problems are that these diagrams are not accurate and complete and if it is accurate, to get to the top of the unit would mean taking it out as there is simply no room to access it. You are right when you say that it would be more work. Besides, the only advantage besides not having to drill (if such a plug does exist on the Jetta/Golf unit) would be to have only cold air in the glovebox regardless of the temp stetting. Since I didn't want to take the unit out, I had to choose a spot to drill that would be safe to prevent puncturing the AC coil that is in the first section of the unit. Ideally, you want to tap into a spot after the AC coils but before the trap that directs air to the heater. The AC coils are at an angle in the unit making it a little tricky unless you take the unit out....