Steering wheel with radio controls swap

[frankinstyn]

Hello all. I've got an odd question. I have a 2000 A6 Avant with the bose stereo system (bose speakers, head unit with both CD and Tape deck.

My question is if the wiring for the steering wheel controls are in place so that I can simply swap an airbag with those controls in place of my standard airbag on the steering wheel?

I also need to know (for safety's sake) if there is anything special I need to do to keep that airbag from detonating while doing this minute surgery?

 

[SiliconS]

I can't help with the steering wheel question, but to disconnect the airbag I've read that one should disconnect the battery at least 30 mins before disturbing the air bag. I'd also recommend you reach in from outside the car when disconnecting or connecting the air bag wiring instead of sitting in the driver's seat to do it.... just in case. This is how I did mine and I had no problems.

Something else that might be useful: if you reconnect the battery and turn on the ignition without the air bag connected, you might cause the computer to throw an air bag warning light that'll need a dealer (or VAG-COM) to extinguish. Once you've fitted your new steering wheel you should maybe reconnect the air bag before turning on the ignition to test the audio controls.
(I made the mistake of turning on the ignition on my old Mercedes while the instrument cluster was partially disconnected, and this threw an air bag light because part of the safety system was missing.)

 

[frankinstyn]

I can't help with the steering wheel question, but to disconnect the airbag I've read that one should disconnect the battery at least 30 mins before disturbing the air bag. I'd also recommend you reach in from outside the car when disconnecting or connecting the air bag wiring instead of sitting in the driver's seat to do it.... just in case. This is how I did mine and I had no problems.

Something else that might be useful: if you reconnect the battery and turn on the ignition without the air bag connected, you might cause the computer to throw an air bag warning light that'll need a dealer (or VAG-COM) to extinguish. Once you've fitted your new steering wheel you should maybe reconnect the air bag before turning on the ignition to test the audio controls.
(I made the mistake of turning on the ignition on my old Mercedes while the instrument cluster was partially disconnected, and this threw an air bag light because part of the safety system was missing.)

Thank you. thats one problem I'd rather avoid.