Installation guide for activating RS Engine Data and Shift Lights on Virtual Cockpit

**Kondax** · 02-15-2021 12:05 PM

I have attached example videos at the bottom of the post.

Introduction
For those of you interested it is now possible to activate the RS4/5 Engine Data display alongside the RS Shift Lights on your Virtual Cockpit.

This isn't applicable for RS models as they obviously come with it as standard.

Prerequisites
There are two requirements for activating the displays:

Rainbow module from Ali Express
Virtual Cockpit on firmware >= 0379 (please contact @DJAlix if you require your VC to be updated)

You can purchase the rainbow module from AliExpress. There's currently three active listings, either one works absolutely fine:

You can also purchase the item from Yaode Chen on Facebook.

There is one key difference between this module and the OEM functionality on RS cars: if you have a soft limiter delete the shift indicators in Park / Neutral will appear early. Other than that it seems to be working fine from my testing.

Wiring Guide
Installation of the rainbow module takes about 5 minutes and is "plug and play". No splicing is required. If you don't feel comfortable performing the installation or would rather have the module installed professionally, please contact @DJAlix.

Remove the rear bench from the vehicle by unclipping the isofix anchors and pulling the bench upwards.
Locate the CANBus plug in the centre module and unplug it. You can then remove the connector from the plug to access the wiring pin box.
Plug in the wires from the racebox module using the following guide. If any of the pins already have a wire in them, remove the stock wire and plug it into the racebox matching the corresponding wire colour. The wires you plug into the pin box will not necessarily match the colour of the stock wires you unplug.
- The orange and green wire plugs into Pin 13
- The red and blue wire plugs into Pin 18
- The orange and black wire plugs into Pin 31
- The brown wire plugs into Pin 54
After successfully installing the module, replace the rear bench and and reinstall the isofix anchors.

Coding the module
You can either use VCDS or a mobile coding solution such as OBD11. Both long coding and adaption is required for a complete installation.

If you wish to display the shift indicators you must enable an RS display on your Virtual Cockpit. This is a limitation of the Virtual Cockpit software however @DJAlix is working on a solution that he might be able to offer to prevent this.

If you only want the Engine Data to be displayed you do not need to enable the RS display.

The method for coding in the Engine Data and activating the RS display changes based on your coding method (VCDS or OBD11). You can retrieve the appropriate Long Coding and Adaptions list from the end of the following video. Again, if you don't feel comfortable coding the module in or would rather have the module installed professionally, please contact @DJAlix.

Coding will vary slightly based on the vehicle you're using but it's fairly simple to figure it out. I have attached the video that contains the general instructions below at the correct timestamp.

https://youtu.be/eMLXs1GwfO4?t=357

Example Videos
Engine Data: https://i.imgur.com/BfavcI3.mp4
Shift Lights (example in park): https://i.imgur.com/yLvqS2Q.mp4

If you have any queries or doubts feel free to post them below and I'll try get back to you on them.

**cthan3o3** · 02-15-2021 12:16 PM

How can you tell your VC firmware is >= 0379?

And how do you update it to 0379?

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**Kondax** · 02-15-2021 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by cthan3o3

How can you tell your VC firmware is >= 0379?

And how do you update it to 0379?

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You can scan it with VCDS or OBD11 to view the software revision. If you have an S4/S5 and you're in the US I believe you'll be on the correct firmware.

You can download the firmware online (I can't provide a link sorry) to an SD card and flash it in the car. It takes about 15 minutes for the entire process to complete.

**kimi17147** · 02-15-2021 12:47 PM

Thank you for the write up!

I just ordered one of the modules!

Thanks!

**oxxomxxo** · 02-15-2021 12:56 PM

Will the work on a 21 s4?

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**Kondax** · 02-15-2021 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by oxxomxxo

Will the work on a 21 s4?

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Yes.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by kimi17147

Thank you for the write up!

I just ordered one of the modules!

Thanks!

No worries!

**Rossida92** · 02-15-2021 03:55 PM

What’s the difference between the versions on Ali express?

**z_wrecker** · 02-15-2021 04:51 PM

In those photos you posted instead of S4 it says RS4. Is there a way to avoid that?

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**Kondax** · 02-15-2021 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Rossida92

What’s the difference between the versions on Ali express?

They should all be the same, just different vendors.

**Kondax** · 02-15-2021 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by z_wrecker

In those photos you posted instead of S4 it says RS4. Is there a way to avoid that?

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tl;dr yes.

For 99% of users the answer will be no. This is only for shift indicators.

For anyone familiar with patching software / software hacking the answer is yes. You're able to patch the VC firmware and flash custom images which can replace the RS4 logo. This assumes you're competent with hacking away at the VC, and making sure you generate the correct checksums for any modified firmware blocks. Making an error can cause you to brick the unit.

**bteamplayer** · 02-16-2021 07:49 AM

Do you have to have the tire pressure on the other side or can you have something else since we don't have that on the S4?

**Kondax** · 02-16-2021 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by bteamplayer

Do you have to have the tire pressure on the other side or can you have something else since we don't have that on the S4?

You can have whatever you normally have. I only have it on mine as I retrofit it.

**Rossida92** · 02-17-2021 09:16 AM

How does the torque and power scale when tuned? Running epl 93 tune and am curious is this data is calculated. Would it be represented properly?

**brilliant_black** · 02-17-2021 03:09 PM

Can anyone post images if this works on a facelift S4 with the new bar style tach?

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**Kondax** · 02-17-2021 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Rossida92

How does the torque and power scale when tuned? Running epl 93 tune and am curious is this data is calculated. Would it be represented properly?

Seems to scale fine. I'm not sure how the ECU measures the values but it has no issue on my hybrid tune.

**Rossida92** · 02-17-2021 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Kondax

Seems to scale fine. I'm not sure how the ECU measures the values but it has no issue on my hybrid tune.

Awesome thanks for the info. I purchased one and looking forward to getting this. Never understood why it wasn’t part of the s4. Do you know if there will be something like this for the gmeter?

**Kondax** · 02-17-2021 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Rossida92

Awesome thanks for the info. I purchased one and looking forward to getting this. Never understood why it wasn’t part of the s4. Do you know if there will be something like this for the gmeter?

I don't think so unfortunately.

**RoB9** · 02-27-2021 10:33 AM

I can confirm this works on the s5 as well. Thanks to Kondax and Yaode for the help.

**brilliant_black** · 04-26-2021 02:34 AM

Has anyone with a 2020-2021 facelift S4/S5 done this?

I decided to see if I can get the RS layout working before the module arrives.

I’ve followed all the long coding and the adaption from yaodechan’s video using obdeleven.

What I’m stuck in is the “vehicle variant”
I read online that 12 = S4 and 13 = RS4, but my default value is 40.

Anyone find out what the vehicle variant values are for the facelift cars? I have the gauges appearing now, but i think my layout isn’t in RS mode yet because in these pics you can see a difference in theme/color between the S and RS tachometer. It’s a slight difference, but if you zoom into the tach you’ll see the RS one doesn’t have they grey background like the S one.

From My S4

From RS4

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**Rmont07** · 04-26-2021 08:48 AM

Is the rainbow module only for the shift lights or needed for the engine data as well?

**Kondax** · 04-26-2021 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Rmont07

Is the rainbow module only for the shift lights or needed for the engine data as well?

Needed for both.

**brilliant_black** · 04-26-2021 09:58 AM

I know in the pre facelift cars you could tell easily if you have RS layout by the RS4 logo lol. If anyone who’s done it in a facelift can please advise I’m willing to even PayPal lol.

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**Kondax** · 04-26-2021 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by brilliant_black

I know in the pre facelift cars you could tell easily if you have RS layout by the RS4 logo lol. If anyone who’s done it in a facelift can please advise I’m willing to even PayPal lol.

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Try a few different variations or just install the module and find out. That's my only recommendation.

**slws4** · 04-30-2021 08:00 AM

Well i've been chasing the elusive RS shift indicators via OBDELVEN and firmware flashing the MIB etc. The issue was that I couldn't re initialize the VC. Though it can be done, no one is sharing the details now lol. But this will do. Easy to install and about 5 min. As far as firmware flashing, if its an s4 you won't have to update your VC as indicated. Mine worked with no issues, though I didn't need to activate all the extra stuff since I was already trying to hack it via FEC swap list lol so all of the stuff the rainbow box needed was already enabled.

Don't be like me and accidently short the wires, do it one pin at a time, the pins are delicate and mine didn't even fit inside the plastic sleeves that came with it. If you do break a pin, the only downside is that if you revert back to stock you have to repair the wire before de pinning and putting everything back together.

1. If you do short it, under the driver side (US MODELS) under the dead pedal, is the fuse panel, section b fuse #7 - 10 amp, your car will not start lol if that's the case don't freak out and just replace the fuse and all should be good.
2. The Torque/power meter took 10 min to kick in, leaving the car off lol. I did it late at night and then the next AM it worked, though on the torque side while rolling it hits 0 when im off gas. At a complete stop it sits at 2 lol i dunno weird.
3. As noted if you drive an S4 no need to update VC, just do the obdeleven mods to activate the displays accordingly. I am not sure if you need to have the RS4 display running as the shift indicators and upshift indicators are actually different settings vs the RS4 display which is under vehicle variant. Don't quote me on this as I have yet to try it, I am just pointing it out that these two settings are under diff sections.
4. If you break a pin, use one of those clip connectors i just extended it one in and one out to the according pins. I broke two lol, oddly the two main big wires.

Now if they can get the g meter working. We are all set lol. Ill have a fully functioning cluster.

**brilliant_black** · 05-02-2021 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by slws4

Well i've been chasing the elusive RS shift indicators via OBDELVEN and firmware flashing the MIB etc. The issue was that I couldn't re initialize the VC. Though it can be done, no one is sharing the details now lol. But this will do. Easy to install and about 5 min. As far as firmware flashing, if its an s4 you won't have to update your VC as indicated. Mine worked with no issues, though I didn't need to activate all the extra stuff since I was already trying to hack it via FEC swap list lol so all of the stuff the rainbow box needed was already enabled.

Don't be like me and accidently short the wires, do it one pin at a time, the pins are delicate and mine didn't even fit inside the plastic sleeves that came with it. If you do break a pin, the only downside is that if you revert back to stock you have to repair the wire before de pinning and putting everything back together.

1. If you do short it, under the driver side (US MODELS) under the dead pedal, is the fuse panel, section b fuse #7 - 10 amp, your car will not start lol if that's the case don't freak out and just replace the fuse and all should be good.
2. The Torque/power meter took 10 min to kick in, leaving the car off lol. I did it late at night and then the next AM it worked, though on the torque side while rolling it hits 0 when im off gas. At a complete stop it sits at 2 lol i dunno weird.
3. As noted if you drive an S4 no need to update VC, just do the obdeleven mods to activate the displays accordingly. I am not sure if you need to have the RS4 display running as the shift indicators and upshift indicators are actually different settings vs the RS4 display which is under vehicle variant. Don't quote me on this as I have yet to try it, I am just pointing it out that these two settings are under diff sections.
4. If you break a pin, use one of those clip connectors i just extended it one in and one out to the according pins. I broke two lol, oddly the two main big wires.

Now if they can get the g meter working. We are all set lol. Ill have a fully functioning cluster.

If you figure out which vehicle variant number is the RS4 display please post. The RS display on the RS4 actually has a slightly different color theme (no grey in the tach) which I think looks cleaner.

I already enabled all the other obdeleven settings just waiting on my module to show up now.

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**cthan3o3** · 05-10-2021 02:06 PM

*Update*: Nevermind, I figured it out

**Kondax** · 05-17-2021 02:57 AM

It's now possible to get the g-meter functionality in the car. I'll be posting a guide shortly once I receive my unit and have programmed it.

**s5.project.2020** · 05-17-2021 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by Kondax

It's now possible to get the g-meter functionality in the car. I'll be posting a guide shortly once I receive my unit and have programmed it.

Can you share with us at least what we need to buy in order to get the G-Meter functionality?

**Kondax** · 05-17-2021 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by s5.project.2020

Can you share with us at least what we need to buy in order to get the G-Meter functionality?

There's a new Rainbow Sport Box "Pro" module. It isn't publicly available but if you find a vendor they can sell it to you.

**s5.project.2020** · 05-17-2021 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by Kondax

There's a new Rainbow Sport Box "Pro" module. It isn't publicly available but if you find a vendor they can sell it to you.

I saw that some of them have already newer versions of the Rainbow Box with "updated track mode" but i think this is linked to the new B9.5 VC displays.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002095810035.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002602411663.html

LE: OK, I found one seller that has the new version with G Meter functionality.

@Kondax - thank you for the info.

**xmen78** · 05-17-2021 03:57 AM

Hi, please share the seller with the new version with G Meter functionality. Thanks.

**brilliant_black** · 05-17-2021 04:19 AM

Wow I literally just installed the first version of this module two days ago on my B9.5 2020 S4.

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**s5.project.2020** · 05-17-2021 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by xmen78

Hi, please share the seller with the new version with G Meter functionality. Thanks.

Hello,

I shared the link below.
I purchased from them before and they move really fast. Just send them a message that you want the new version with G Meter Functionality.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002345275405.html

**brilliant_black** · 05-17-2021 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by s5.project.2020

Hello,

I shared the link below.
I purchased from them before and they move really fast. Just send them a message that you want the new version with G Meter Functionality.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002345275405.html

Is the wiring totally different? I broke the pin on one wire. I basically jammed it into the connector of the module for it to make contact as a solution, so I’m hesitant now to take it apart.

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**s5.project.2020** · 05-17-2021 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by brilliant_black

Is the wiring totally different? I broke the pin on one wire. I basically jammed it into the connector of the module for it to make contact as a solution, so I’m hesitant now to take it apart.

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Sorry but I have no idea. I ordered the new version today after reading Kondax post.

**bmoreS4** · 05-17-2021 05:39 AM

Would this work on a 2020 SQ5?

**Kondax** · 05-17-2021 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by bmoreS4

Would this work on a 2020 SQ5?

Yes.

I'll provide the wiring and coding info for the Pro version once I've got it.

**oxxomxxo** · 05-17-2021 06:37 AM

This is pretty cool, but a question for using this, are you using for eye candy or is it functional in being able tell if there are potential problems or hiccups?

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**Kondax** · 05-17-2021 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by oxxomxxo

This is pretty cool, but a question for using this, are you using for eye candy or is it functional in being able tell if there are potential problems or hiccups?

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Eye candy.

**cthan3o3** · 05-17-2021 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by s5.project.2020

Sorry but I have no idea. I ordered the new version today after reading Kondax post.

Did you have to request the new version from the seller? I can’t tell which ones are the new versions that make the G-Meter work

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Thread: Installation guide for activating RS Engine Data and Shift Lights on Virtual Cockpit

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