Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Chat about your 6R/6C model Polos here!
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

Hi everyone, this is my first post. Been hanging around but I've only just registered :D

Picked up my new 3 door Polo Gti the other day and realised I'd forgot to spec the MFSW. I feel like a right eegit.

Don't suppose the buttons can simply be retrofit to the standard flat bottomed gti wheel? If anyone knows if this will work - and could help me with part numbers I'd be eternally grateful and will document my retrofit with plenty of pics 8)

All the best!

MB
Der Finne.
Getting There!
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:58 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by Der Finne. »

mousebat wrote:Don't suppose the buttons can simply be retrofit to the standard flat bottomed gti wheel?
Define 'simply'... :wink:

Yes they can be retrofitted, see e.g: {How-To} Polo 6R MFL nachrüsten (it's in German but it should be all there). I just ordered a set of (2nd hand) buttons for my FB wheel through the German fifth-letter-Bay. An entire trim piece is swapped for a buttoned one, plus you'll need a button control module to go inside the wheel:
Image

I've already documented the removal of the old trim a year ago when I got my buttonless flat-bottom Scirocco wheel for my Polo. I knew the pics would come handy at some point! :D
To get to the trim, you'll obviously need to remove the airbag first. I don't know about UK legislation, but e.g. in Germany it's illegal for anyone but a properly trained person to work on airbags. Consider the legal disclaimers thus fulfilled... :wink:

When removing an airbag, you first MUST disconnect the battery negative lead and should then wait for at least 15 minutes before moving on. The GTI airbag is held by two springed steel loops you'll need to reach for from behind the wheel with a flat screwdriver:
Image

The 'old' buttonless trim piece, the two sides are connected by an arc:
Image

The trim piece is held by just two screws, one on both sides:
Image

And off comes the trim:
Image

That's the mechanical part. The wheel and airbag both have same part numbers for both buttonless and buttoned GTIs, so there is room inside the 'buttonless' wheel for the extra buttons control module.

Then there's the wiring. It's a bit more complicated since there are wiring differences between standard Polos with and without a MFSW. And there might be differences between a buttonless standard Polo and a buttonless GTI, since the GTI already has the wiring for the gearchange paddles. But there are three main things that (may) need addressing:
- The wiring from the Central Electronics module behind the dashboard to the steering column. Buttonless standard Polos need two (or was it just one...) extra wires added, I'm not sure of the GTI.
- The wiring inside the steering wheel. The horn buttons are wired differently between buttoned and buttonless standard Polos, so you might need to modify (or change) the SW internal wiring loom. Again I don't knw how it is for the GTI.
- The coding of the Central Electronics module. This is needed to A) get the horn to work B) to get the RHS buttons to work.

I'll be tackling this job on my standard Polo with a buttonless Scirocco FBSW once my buttons hopefully soon arrive from Germany.
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

Awesome!

Thanks for the reply - At least I don't have to buy a whole new wheel. Well happy! Does this mean the buttons from a new golf/rocco mfsw will fit in the polo gti steering wheel? Hmm

Don't suppose anyone can help me with part numbers or can confirm the differences between the polo gti wheel with buttons and without?

Many thanks people!!

MB
AJ_7
Gold Member
Posts: 901
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:00 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by AJ_7 »

To be honest mate, if it was something like this that involved tampering with Airbags and all sorts of other malarky, i'd just buy the parts you need and ring your local dealer and arrange an appointment for them to be fitted. You may take a little sting in the arse with the labour charges but at least you know it's going to be done correct and your airbag will deploy as its designed to. At some stage i'm going to fit the MFSW and Cruise Control but i'm just gonna buy the parts cheap from a German source and then take them to the dealer for them to fit/code. My two cents anyway :)
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

Yeah, I think I'll call them on Monday and see if they can tell me what's different. I've got the full VCDS from my edc15/16 mapping days (used to love the never ending logging and tweaking!), so coding won't be a problem, if it's necessary.

I was going to get the the mfsw when I ordered but on the website it shows as a standard round bottom wheel and not the gti flat bottomed style, so I assumed I'd lose the nice flat bottomed wheel for the sake of buttons! I should have just asked really!

Without the buttons there is no way of entering the highline "settings" menu etc... All I can change is the damn clock. And don't get me started on how naff the RNS 310 is. Wish I'd just gone for the RCD 510 with dab and Bluetooth. Waste of damn money!!
User avatar
NeilMcConville
Gold Member
Posts: 509
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:00 pm
Location: Newry, UK

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by NeilMcConville »

I agree with AJ_7, at least if you get the dealer to fit it you know it should work properly, doing it yourself can be a bit dodgey, unless your Derr Fine cause he seems to be a mechanic or something :L I'd love to get a normal GTI flat bottom steering wheel for my Polo Match cause it'd looks way sportier and the red trim would look cool :D
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

I'm not particularly fazed by removing the wheel and airbag arrangement. I'm just wanting the cheapest way to get the buttons in and working really. I know there is a company that will swap the wheel for 800 quid (according to their website) but why swap the entire wheel when it's possible to just swap the button modules. I'm going to call the dealers tomorrow and am expecting the standard "computer says no" answer but sometimes you get lucky eh?

Standby for some car porn, taking my camera out...
User avatar
NeilMcConville
Gold Member
Posts: 509
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:00 pm
Location: Newry, UK

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by NeilMcConville »

Woooo, get them pictures up!
Der Finne.
Getting There!
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:58 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by Der Finne. »

mousebat wrote:Does this mean the buttons from a new golf/rocco mfsw will fit in the polo gti steering wheel?
Yes, as will those from a Passat CC for example.

As for working with airbags, it's interesting to always see the unfounded fear for them. They aren't rocket science, and as long as you don't suffer from ADHD and have sometimes held a spanner earlier in your life, there's really no risk working on them, given you follow the basic safety instructions of course. But each to their own, I suppose. And if you have more money than you can spend, I'm sure your local authorised VW dealer is more than happy to help you get rid of it. :wink:
SteveP
Getting There!
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by SteveP »

Did mine today, but choose to go with the Gloss Black "R" version: -

Image

Image

Then refitted the GTI logo into the base rather than the R one

Image
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

Damn cameras not working. I'll get some pics up tomorrow - I went for shadow blue, RNS 310, convenience pack, winter pack, climate, passenger airbag disabler (wtf, why is this not standard??), and the xenons with led fairy lights / cornering efforts.

I'm calling my local VW parts department tomorrow to get part numbers and to see what the differences are between the GTI mfsw and the GTI non-mfsw. I'll be happy as larry if the only required part is the button assembly and control unit. Life is never usually that simple though and I'm sure it will require some form of dealer based rape.

I'll let you all know how it goes on at the dealers tomorrow...

MB
P.S SteveP, how much did you pay for that wheel and where did you get it (if you dont mind me being cheeky! 8) )
Der Finne.
Getting There!
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:58 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by Der Finne. »

^^ That looks great SteveP! Not personally a big fan of the gloss black, though, but they do go well with the GTI's gloss black centre console surrounds.

Now that you have a GTI, did you have to change the steering wheel's internal wiring loom, run the two extra wires and recode? Or is it a completely plug&play jobbie for the GTI?
SteveP
Getting There!
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by SteveP »

mousebat wrote:Damn cameras not working. I'll get some pics up tomorrow - I went for shadow blue, RNS 310, convenience pack, winter pack, climate, passenger airbag disabler (wtf, why is this not standard??), and the xenons with led fairy lights / cornering efforts.

I'm calling my local VW parts department tomorrow to get part numbers and to see what the differences are between the GTI mfsw and the GTI non-mfsw. I'll be happy as larry if the only required part is the button assembly and control unit. Life is never usually that simple though and I'm sure it will require some form of dealer based rape.

I'll let you all know how it goes on at the dealers tomorrow...

MB
P.S SteveP, how much did you pay for that wheel and where did you get it (if you dont mind me being cheeky! 8) )
No need to call VW parts (as it will be computer says no), just let me know what version your looking for and I will post up the details.

For reference mine is a 2011MY GTI and I only needed the buttons, no coding or extra control module required, pretty sure all cars with the GTI wheel will be the same :D
mousebat
New
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:37 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by mousebat »

Woo hoo! :D :D

My polo's a '61 reg 3dr not sure what the model year is but it's brand spanking. Been on order for 4 months tho...

I've seen some buttons on sale with the little control module that sits in the middle from a german tbay seller. 85 euros.

the part numbers are listed as follows:
RIGHT & LEFT CONTROL + VW PART NUMBER: 5K0 959 538 / 537
CONTROL UNIT PART NUMBER: 5K0 959 542

Do you reckons this will work - doesn't say anything about dsg.

I might see how much the dealers can order the official parts for.
SteveP
Getting There!
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Polo GTi multifunction steering wheel buttons retrofit

Post by SteveP »

The correct buttons (in silver/chrome for the 6R Polo GTI) are: -

Image

Or if your feeling flush you can buy the whole steering wheel excluding the airbag :o

Image

I didn't need the extra control box that's included with ebay sellers item as your wheel will already have this.
Post Reply