Direct TPMS Installation Guide

[VeryBadman]

There has been ongoing discussion about direct TPMS retrofit but I don't think anyone here has ever summarized the steps or instructions to do it so I decided to take this matter into my own hands. After lengthy research for required parts, installation process, and codings, I have pulled the trigger to execute the installation and successfully retrofitted direct TPMS system into my car.

Here are a couple of pictures to demonstrate that the system is really working on my TTRS.





And here are the parts you will need to retrofit the system:

1. TPMS Antenna (P/N: 8S0907273)
2. RDKS Tire Pressure Wiring Harness
3. 4 TPMS Sensors of 433 MHz frequency (P/N: 5Q0907275B)
4. Antenna Holder Bracket (P/N: 4E0810675B) - This is optional

Or you can cut all hassle from chasing after all parts and get the TPMS kit from this seller on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202335867045

I also recommend you to get a mini fuse tap adapter and 10A fuse to tap power wire to fuse panel but you can improvise your own method as long as it works.

Once you have the parts ready in hand, follow the following steps to retrofit the kit!

1. Take off the lateral TT cover from the driver side and remove the first bolt (marked in red circle in the picture) on the side behind the cover that holds the big cover under steering wheel, the fuse panel is behind that cover making it a fuse panel cover and a big one at that.



2. Remove the second bolt above the gas pedal.



3. Remove the last bolt next to OBD2 port, now all 3 bolts are off and you can remove the fuse panel cover.



4. In the process of remove the fuse panel cover, there are 3 connectors that are plugged to light switches, LED foot light, and wireless key antenna, make sure that you unplug them before taking the cover off. Please check the pictures below for better understanding.





5. With the fuse panel cover out of the way, remove the top plastic trim cover next to where the lateral TT cover was.




6. Move on the remove the plastic trim cover next to the door sill, this piece is held tight so you may need a bit of force to remove it.




7. The 2 plastic trim covers hold the trim cover between them in place, with those removed you now can remove that piece but you will need to remove hood release lever first.


8. To remove the lever, there is a lock behind the joint and you need to release that first to be able to pull the level out. Please check the pictures below so you get the idea how they come together and how to take them out.





9. Once the lever is off, pull the plastic trim cover out to expose the CAN bus.




10. Now that the covers are removed and we have access to both CAN bus and fuse panel, let move on to work in the trunk. You have to remove cover to expose the tools tray and remove the tray as well.


11. Install the TPMS antenna in the trunk next to battery and run the wires, we need orange/grey wire, orange/brown wire, and red wire to CAN bus and fuse panel in the front and we need to tap the brown wire to body panel for grounding. I picked to secure the brown ground wire with bolt in the middle as you can see in the picture.



12. You can secure the TPMS antenna however you want but I simply use 3M industrial grade double side tape to do so.



13. Back to the front, look for black connector which is extended CAN connector. We will tap orange/grey wire from antenna to grey wire in black connector and tap orange/brown wire from antenna to the wire of same color in black connector. Please check pictures so you know what I'm talking about and don't mess up.




14. Move on to tap the power to fuse panel, look for 6th fuse from the left which is 10A fuse and take it off.



15. Connect red wire to fuse tap adapter, insert 10A fuses to the adapter, and insert the adapter back to where we removed the fuse in the step earlier.




Now the parts installation part is done, put everything back in place. There is also a trick to put fuse panel cover back that you better tighten the bolt above gas pedal back first or else you will never be able to tighten it.

I will explain for the coding part in the first comment.

[VeryBadman]

Now we move on to coding part to make this work:

1. Enter 03-ABS Module, you need to do this first thing to disable passive TPMS system.



2. Enter Coding - 07 menu, select Long Coding Helper.


3. Open Byte 12, make sure that Bit 7 and 6 are Inactive.



4. Open Byte 23, make sure that Bit 0 and 1 are Inactive.



5. Exit and Save the change.


6. Enter 19-CAN Gateway, you need to enable CAN bus to recognize the direct TPMS system.



7. Enter Installation List menu, look for 65 - Tire Pressure, select and Save Coding




8. Enter 17-Instruments, you need to tell CAN to not look for passive TPMS signal and look for direct TPMS signals instead.



9. Enter Coding - 07 menu, select Long Coding Helper.


10. Open Byte 3, make sure that Bit 7 is Active.



11. Open Byte 4, make sure that Bit 0 is Inactive.



12. Open Byte 11, make sure that Bit 2 is Active.



13. Exit and Save the change.


14. Enter 5F-Information Electr, you need to enable Direct TPMS menu in the Virtual Cockpit from here.



15. Enter Adaption - 10 menu.


16. Look for Car_Function_List_BAP_Gen2-tire_pressure_system_0x07, make sure that it's activated.



17. Look for Car_Function_List_BAP_Gen2-tire_pressure_system_0x07_msg_bus, make sure that Databus extended is selected.



18. Look for Car_Function_Adaptations_Gen2-menu_display_rdk, make sure that it's activated.



19. Look for Car_Function_Adaptations_Gen2-menu_display_rdk_standstill, make sure that it's not activated. This option is for making TPMS functions under Service menu accessible when the car is moving.



20. Look for Car_Function_Adaptations_Gen2-menu_display_rdk_over_threshold_high, make sure that it's activated.



21. The coding is done, reset the MMI and clear the error codes that might happen in the process. In the case you don't know how to reset, you have to push the 2 buttons forward and press the MMI touch know at the same time.



22. After MMI is restarted and the error codes are cleared, you should be able to see TPMS menu in the sport display and in the Service and Maintenance menu.


23. The last step is contacting the tire shop of your choice to have the TPMS sensors installed in all 4 wheels.



That's it! Now the direct TPMS system retrofit is done. One thing you should know and don't freak out is that the pressures and temperatures won't show up right away, you only need to drive a bit for the information from sensors to show up on your virtual cockpit screen. If the car complains about TPMS malfunction, make sure that you tap the CAN bus signal wires to extended CAN bus, power wire to fuse panel, and ground wire to car body frame properly.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[SolarRS3]

Wow excellent write up, thanks a lot for this! In canada for 2018 direct tpms was not available but now I can tackle this project!

[David@EuroCode]

Awesome work, thanks for sharing with the community!

[Cyttorak]

You are indeed a VeryBadman...holy smokes what a write up. Super impressed.


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[Rapture]

This is great. How did you figure it out? Also, what are you using for software/hardware for VCDS? I may be wiling to take a shot at this as I already have the sensors installed in my new wheels.

I was told that antenna mounted under the rear bumper cover but looks like this work, so close enough.

Great job, Thanks for posting.

[VeryBadman]

This is great. How did you figure it out? Also, what are you using for software/hardware for VCDS? I may be wiling to take a shot at this as I already have the sensors installed in my new wheels.

I was told that antenna mounted under the rear bumper cover but looks like this work, so close enough.

Great job, Thanks for posting.

There were discussions on Audi UK forum that I read countless times to understand what I may need to do and when I placed order with that eBay seller, I also asked him back and forth for installation instructions and codings. With 2 sources of information combined, I have come up with the plan for what need to be done exactly and while I was proceeding with installation, I took photos and documented for every steps I was doing.

For the coding part, you only need Ross-Tech VCDS cable and nothing else. Some other tools that provide similar functionalities to VCDS should work also but I'm not going to bet my money on that.

And yes, you are right about the antenna is supposed to be in the bumper near to rear right wheel to make the system working properly but I figured that placing the antenna in the trunk next to battery should work as well and it really works and that made the installation much simpler.

[McTTRS]

The eBay link has disappeared (sold out?). Do you have the parts number for the RDKS SET Wire?

[VeryBadman]

The eBay link has disappeared (sold out?). Do you have the parts number for the RDKS SET Wire?

I don't have part number for RDKS wiring harness but it seems to be a generic harness shared across multiple models and brands under VAG. Anyway, I have updated the link so it will go to the post that is live.

Or you can follow that link in this comment.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202335867045

[Rapture]

I don't have part number for RDKS wiring harness but it seems to be a generic harness shared across multiple models and brands under VAG. Anyway, I have updated the link so it will go to the post that is live.

Or you can follow that link in this comment.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202335867045

I sent the eBay seller a note to see if he would just sell the antenna with the wiring harness, without the wheel sensors as I already have them. I can't find the wiring harness separately. I'm sure with cars that come equipped with this option, the wiring is embedded in the harness already. This seller is just making it easier to add stand alone I would think.

[ormandj]

Wow, I've been looking for this information for a while. Excellent write-up and great work figuring it out.

[RightonRed]

Just ordered. Gonna give this a try with an '18 RS3. Thanks for the writeup and link!

[Cyttorak]

I ordered as well. Thanks!

[VeryBadman]

I have updated coding instructions to make TPMS functions under Service menu accessible when the car is moving. It's in step 19.

[hckymstr19]

Any reason the think the antenna NEEDS to be in the rear of the car, I know oem is in the bumper and you put it in the trunk but is there any reason to think the antenna wouldn't pick up the signal if it was placed say under the steering column area just to simplify install even more? Let me know your thoughts.

[VeryBadman]

Any reason the think the antenna NEEDS to be in the rear of the car, I know oem is in the bumper and you put it in the trunk but is there any reason to think the antenna wouldn't pick up the signal if it was placed say under the steering column area just to simplify install even more? Let me know your thoughts.

Actually that’s a very good question. The reason why antenna has to be in the trunk is that the computer identifies the wheel placements by the distance from each wheel. If you put the antenna under steering column, the readings will be off and the numbers on the screen will not represent the right placements.


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[Rapture]

Actually that’s a very good question. The reason why antenna has to be in the trunk is that the computer identifies the wheel placements by the distance from each wheel. If you put the antenna under steering column, the readings will be off and the numbers on the screen will not represent the right placements.


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I’ve wondered about this also. Makes sense.

Someone create a group buy for the parts for this!!

[ormandj]

eBay link expired again, and can't find another in a search. Anybody with better eBay skills able to assist?

[VeryBadman]

eBay link expired again, and can't find another in a search. Anybody with better eBay skills able to assist?

I have all part numbers listed except wiring harness. I can’t find the number anywhere but I found it on Aliexpress and that should work too.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/328348...ing-cable-wire


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[Rapture]

I have all part numbers listed except wiring harness. I can’t find the number anywhere but I found it on Aliexpress and that should work too.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/328348...ing-cable-wire


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Thanks VBM, you are a Ninja with this stuff :) I ordered the cable.
Could you also have hooked up power to a fused lead attached near the battery, or maybe that would always be hot?

[VeryBadman]

Thanks VBM, you are a Ninja with this stuff :) I ordered the cable.
Could you also have hooked up power to a fused lead attached near the battery, or maybe that would always be hot?

I haven’t checked about it but if it’s 10A, I think it should be fine.


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[RoccoTheFunyMan]

Can this be done on ‘18 TTS?


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[VeryBadman]

Can this be done on ‘18 TTS?


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I believe it can be done but there has not been a proven example yet. On TT UK forum a bunch of TT and TTS owners tried this retrofit and reported back that they are suffering TPMS screen coming on and off intermittently and no one confirmed that the issue has been resolved.

Truthfully speaking, I was unsure that mine wouldn’t have the same issue when I started the project but it turned out to be perfect.

[ormandj]

I've ordered all the parts. Quick question: I see you tapped two wires into the extended can bus connector. Is there any trick to doing this? I haven't taken mine apart so maybe it is obvious. Did you use any special connectors or somehow otherwise connect these wires to the connector?

[VeryBadman]

I've ordered all the parts. Quick question: I see you tapped two wires into the extended can bus connector. Is there any trick to doing this? I haven't taken mine apart so maybe it is obvious. Did you use any special connectors or somehow otherwise connect these wires to the connector?

No, I only trimmed the ends of the 2 wires, inserted into the slot, and used flathead screw driver to push into place.

You can also splice and tap into the wires if you like.

[Cyttorak]

I’m not savvy enough to try this by myself. My dealership is currently doing this installation. Fortunately they treat me good on side projects. Hopefully, I’ll be able to report a second successful retrofit this afternoon


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[Rapture]

I’m not savvy enough to try this by myself. My dealership is currently doing this installation. Fortunately they treat me good on side projects. Hopefully, I’ll be able to report a second successful retrofit this afternoon


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Now that’s a great dealer relationship. I wonder if they will also put that antenna in the rear hatch area by the battery?

Keep us updated, I now have the parts, but am not really familiar with coding and don’t have the interface yet.

[Cyttorak]

Now that’s a great dealer relationship. I wonder if they will also put that antenna in the rear hatch area by the battery?

Keep us updated, I now have the parts, but am not really familiar with coding and don’t have the interface yet.

I took it in and unfortunately they couldn’t get to it. The tech who does theses sort of special projects was working on something that’s taking longer than anticipated. So taking it back in Monday. He did review the instructions and seemed confident it would be a slam dunk. But he did say he was going to bring in his vag com to do the programming. He didn’t think their diagnosis equivalent, started with an O, was going to let him do the programming.

While there though, it was brought up that there is a device called obdeleven. A Bluetooth ob2 transmitter and app system, only for android devices, which has a bunch of preprogrammed “long coded” tricks. Which as a layman I take is what all the coding verybadman figured out but this device/app system does it for you with a press of a button. So you can turn off the seatbelt chime, open door chimes, brake light intensity, have side mirrors tilt when in reverse, memory heated seats, tail light stuff and on and on. It also allows you to do long coding. So if you don’t have a vag com you could buy this dongle, supposedly $60, but its $97 on Amazon.

So somebody could add all this coding as an app and all the end user would have to do it turn the TPMS on is open the TPMS app and turn it on.

I don’t have an android device but the videos I’ve watched on YouTube say you can download the app for free and check what all preprogrammed tricks are available for your platform. All I can find is the TT/TTS/TTRS does have apps available.

Can anybody with an android device confirm? Probably for another thread. But certainly interested in seeing what kind of customization we could do.

Hopefully I’ll be able to update on Monday my TPMS is working


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[Cyttorak]

I can confirm that that I am now the proud owner of the worlds 2nd? TTRS retrofitted with the VC TPMS! Service manager just called me and said it’s ready to pick up. I’ll post pictures later tonight.

Also, they routed the wire differently. SM will explain when I get there.

HUGE shoutout to Verybadman for figuring this out!!


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[VeryBadman]

Since no one else confirmed that he has successfully retrofitted the system, I think it’s safe to say that you are the second.

For the wiring I believe dealership would do it differently from mine. The key is that the antenna should be placed in the right rear side of the car in which the actual position should be in the right side of bumper so I think they must have done it that way and route the wire to the CAN bus. It doesn’t matter how they wired it as long as it works.

I’m glad that my installation guide can be helpful.

[Cyttorak]

Since no one else confirmed that he has successfully retrofitted the system, I think it’s safe to say that you are the second.

For the wiring I believe dealership would do it differently from mine. The key is that the antenna should be placed in the right rear side of the car in which the actual position should be in the right side of bumper so I think they must have done it that way and route the wire to the CAN bus. It doesn’t matter how they wired it as long as it works.

I’m glad that my installation guide can be helpful.

IMG_0842.JPGIMG_0843.JPGIMG_0844.JPG



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[Cyttorak]

IMG_0842.JPGIMG_0843.JPGIMG_0844.JPG



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They removed the side panels in the trunk and ran the wires behind them to the battery location for the sensor.

More work but same result. This car should come standard with this feature.

Thanks again VeryBadman!


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[Rapture]

They removed the side panels in the trunk and ran the wires behind them to the battery location for the sensor.

More work but same result. This car should come standard with this feature.

Thanks again VeryBadman!


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Wow, looks great!! And so true, it should have been standard on this car.

I’m on deck.

[ormandj]

If you have pictures that would be helpful. My parts are almost here so trying to make up my mind how I want to route things. Thanks and awesome that you have it up and running.

They removed the side panels in the trunk and ran the wires behind them to the battery location for the sensor.

More work but same result. This car should come standard with this feature.

Thanks again VeryBadman!


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[Cyttorak]

If you have pictures that would be helpful. My parts are almost here so trying to make up my mind how I want to route things. Thanks and awesome that you have it up and running.

Any tips on on how to friggin get the foam tool tray out? Mines dug in like a tick. I’d gladly post pics but it’s about a 1/4” or more under the rear plastic trim and side carpeted trims.



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[ormandj]

Any tips on on how to friggin get the foam tool tray out? Mines dug in like a tick. I’d gladly post pics but it’s about a 1/4” or more under the rear plastic trim and side carpeted trims.



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You have to pop off the rear plastic panel. Ran into the same thing, and it's a bit tough to pull off.

[Cale262]

Thanks for doing all the leg work on this, I ordered the kit and a couple extra sets of sensors for other wheels, had the sensors installed on my current winter wheel set up and going to do the wiring install this wkend… there is some other VCDS stuff I want to try so it's a good time to do it all.
Cheers!

[Cream]

I want to thank everyone that has put effort into getting this info out there. This is definitely something I want to do in the future

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[KarlBlomquist]

Does anyone happen to know what the behaviour will be if I install this upgrade on my '18 TTRS (CDN), but then run winter wheels without the required sensors?
i.e., Will the system default back to "regular" low-tire pressure monitoring using wheel speed sensors, or will it start throwing errors, or... ?

Thanks!

[VeryBadman]

Does anyone happen to know what the behaviour will be if I install this upgrade on my '18 TTRS (CDN), but then run winter wheels without the required sensors?
i.e., Will the system default back to "regular" low-tire pressure monitoring using wheel speed sensors, or will it start throwing errors, or... ?

Thanks!

It will throw low tire pressure/no signal found error. I would suggest you to install the sensors in your winter set as well.