Had a bit of free time this evening so thought I'd fit the Dension kit.

Here's a step by step guide to installing it.



The parts you'll need:

iPod
Dension Ice>Link Plus VW Kit
Brodit Proclip




Here's what you get with the Dension kit...




The tools you'll need:

Torx bits
Screwdriver
Small flathead screwdriver for prying



You need access to the rear panel of your headunit to fit the kit, so to start take a look at the upper centre air vent (the big one.) You'll notice a small black rectangle sensor; this can be pryed off. Remember that although a lot of these parts may seem stiff they are actually quite fragile, so be careful when prying.



Once you've done this you are free to pry the rest of the vent away.



Now if you look towards the back (closer to the windscreen) of the exposed compartment you'll notice a screw. Use the appropriate torx bit to remove it, then remove the remainder of the vent housing.



You'll now notice two more screws. These hold down the upper dash cover. Unscrew these (always remember to stow the screws somewhere safe, as these things always go missing in cars - too many nooks and crannies)



Now you can remove the upper dash cover. Use the flat head screw driver to unclip the back three holdings, then you can pull the cover off.



Once you've removed the upper dash cover you'll see two more screws. These hold the lower dash cover in place, remove these as well.



Gently pull the lower dash cover, applying equal ammounts of preasure to both sides. The metal clips on the reverse are poorly stuck on so they can actually come off, while staying clipped to their holding mounts (great VW quality! nothing a bit of superglue can't fix )



You'll notice at the bottom under the AC controls four metal rectangles - these are the holding clips that actually stayed in place instead of coming off with the dash cover! Oh well

Remove the four screws that hold the head unit in place, so that you can bring the HU forward.



I decided to run the cable down from the headunit and exit it into the cabin by the passenger footwell. To do this I needed to remove the gearstick cover (pops out quite easily). You'll then see two silver screws holding the ashtray compartment in place; if you remove these you can pull the compartment out. You may need to unplug the cable for the cig lighter underneath, so you can get enough clearance.



Next I fed the cable through a gap from the footwell to the inner dash.



I then fed the cable up to the top of the dash so that I could connect the dension kit to the back of the headunit. Remember to attach the grounding wire otherwise the unit wont work.



After testing the unit I put the dash back together. I screwed the Dension cradle to the Brodit Proclip, which simple clips into place next to the stereo.



The results? A great sounding setup

You can control the iPod from the headunit, including mapping playlists to the CD1-6 buttons. The visuals on the iPod screen change to a unique Dension setup to display options and track info.

As soon as you switch to CD changer mode the unit powers up.


Installation requires about 30-35 minutes.

Congratulations! Good to see u finally got it all sorted!

Kuni, does this set up mean that I cannot use the 6cd changer I have in the armrest?

Quote: posted by mags on 06/02/2005 09:10:48
Kuni, does this set up mean that I cannot use the 6cd changer I have in the armrest?


Unfortunately yes

Although saying that, I'm sure I saw a changer control box recently, where a user could have two CD changers plugged into this little box of tricks, and one lead going to the HU, then all you'd have to do is mount a switch somewhere. (IE, use one of the blanks next to the disable traction control button )

hello,

can anyone tell me which size torx screwdriver i need?

T10 , T20?

thanks in advance

kenny

I haven't taken delivery of my Golf yet, so do you know if you can run the wires from behind the headunit into the glovebox without cutting anything? I'm guessing you can still use the unit without having to touch the iPod?

Many thanks for posting these instructions ! Saved me bags of time.

Have just fitted ipod using dension dock cable into glovebox connected to an RCD500 with soundpack - sounds ace and can still use the integrated cd changer.

The cable fits through a gap at the top of the glovebox - no dismantling of glovebox required.

Wow great guide!

So just to clarify.. I am getting a Golf GTI Mk V in Australia in September.  It should have the Gamma head unit.  So it sounds like I can plug my ipod in to it, and still have the option of using the front loading CD changer?

Is there anything special you have to do to be able to do that? Or does the headunit just cycle through Radio -> CD Changer -> External CD Changer (ipod)?

Thanks

The MK5 had the RDS300 headunit like at the top, the Gamma is just in the MK4s etc

Just out of interest, which Brodit Proclip did you use that fits so neatly next to stereo? I want one to put my mobile in.

Cheers, Stuart

 

I fitted mine on Friday (took 35 mins).  The guide was very useful.

I wanted to make sure that the iPod was not on display, or the holder as I think it ruins the look of the dash, plus is very tempting to thieves.  I also wanted to make sue that I used the docking station rather than just a loose cable.

So this is what I did.........(sorry about the terrible photos, I was in a rush and it was dark)

As you can see it is in the shelf on the dash.  The docking station is a tight fit, so it just jams in.  In the future I may use some sticky pads to really hold it in place if it ever moves.  The only drawback is you cannot see the screen, but I don't think I will miss that.

My other option was to put it in here.....

If I am not happy with it in the glove box, I may move it into the cubby and build a proper surround inside to hold the docking station.

 

So where have you guys installed yours?

Many thanks for posting this guide.  I am waiting the delivery of a MK5 GTI sometime in September!!! I am sourcing the components for installing my 60gb Photo ipod and was just wondering where you purchased your adapter and bracket from?  The bracket in particular is a minimal design which was the type I want - I dont want anything too large sticking out of the dash!

 

Cheers

Hi guys

Great writeup. I have just bought an 04 Golf MkV 1.9TDi SE. I am going to install a Nokia Cark-91 phone kit at the weekend. The people who I bought the mute lead from said to be careful when taking off the housing with the heat/blower vents in because if you disconnect the "passenger off airbag warning light" cable, this airbag warning light will stay on and you have to go to the dealers to get it turned off. From your write up it seems that you didnt have this problem. Can anyone shed any light on this? Also is there room behaind, or down the side of the stereo unit to hide the 'connection box' for the phone kit. Sorry for so many questions, bur I've always had BMW's and so know how they come apart, I'm new to VW.

Thanks

Steve

I did not unclip the cable, I just moved the vent out the way whilst still plugged in.  There is plenty of room behind the stereo for your connection box, in fact you could put quite a bit of kit in there if required.

Excellent milkfloat, just what I wanted to hear.

Thanks

Steve

Figured you would want to see this.

http://www.enfigpix.com/tech_vw_mk5_icelink.html

After considerable effort i managed to get the radio out and install the dension ice-link into my golf. I then drove to the pub with effering working fine. I was well chuffed.

When i got back into the car I turned the radio on and selected the CD changer. Nothing. The ice-link isn't working. The only theory i have at the moment (and i welcome others) is that the grounding wire has come loose. How did you guys attach it?

Just started this, and I've found an important difference with my car, which doesn't have climatronic. These cars don't have the sensor, or the large top vent, but a dash top tray instead. I set off thinking the tray would be held in by clips along the back. Well, it is, just one at each end, but there are also two T20 screws under a rubber mat in the bottom of the tray. I found these just before I started to get brutal. Could have done a lot of damage! Stuck now, as I need a shorter T20 screwdriver, but it looks like the rest will be the same as KuniD's, except that the upper dash is held in by only one screw, instead of the two shown above. Will add some photo's, if I get the chance, but follow what I've said and you won't go wrong.

I just installed my adapter, and it sounds great. I have trouble using the dension UI, so I just use the iPod UI, which I like better anyway. I do have the top vent, but I don't have digital controls. The sensor wasn't wired. I also didn't know where to attach the ground wire, but I ended up just wrapping it under a screw on the back of the radio, as the case of the radio is already grounded. I used the panavise mount instead of the proclip, because I'd rather have a metal mount. Thanks for the guide!!!!

I had a lot of problems like this where it would work one day, then not the next, or cut out during a drive.

Pulling everything out again I realised that the cable in the back of the head unit was not pushed in far enough to 'click' in.

Check the plugs especially the one on the icelink itself, you can strip the ground wire back and wrap it around one of the holes used to mount the head unit, the screw should hold it in good enough, or you can get a spade connecter and plug it into the back of the unit.

James.

 

jd2005 wrote:

After considerable effort i managed to get the radio out and install the dension ice-link into my golf. I then drove to the pub with effering working fine. I was well chuffed. When i got back into the car I turned the radio on and selected the CD changer. Nothing. The ice-link isn't working. The only theory i have at the moment (and i welcome others) is that the grounding wire has come loose. How did you guys attach it?

Just completed installing a 60gb Photo ipod into my Mk5 GTI in around an hour thans to this comprehensive guide.  Thanks for posting this - it  both inspired me and guided me through the whole process.  Pics to follow. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO BUY AN iTRIP!

-- Please delete --

Big thanks to KuniD for writing this guide, followed it yesterday and IceLink working great - cheers

Hi,

Am I correct in thinking that doing this installation will void my warranty? Or can the installation be reversed without detection?

For example, are any of the screws painted?

 

H

Thanks to this guide I've just done the install on my 1 week old 2.0 gt tdi and it's fantastic.

All as per the guide although I have an odment tray instead of a vent on top of the dash. It was pretty awkward to get out but if anyone tries it you will find it is held in place by 2 flexible metal clips in the front (windscreen edge). Pull it upward at the edge nearest the windscreen and towards you (into the car) from the back and it will come eventually.

 

 

Hello folks.

Awesome forum, im fed up of itrip and am inspired!

Ive just got a 2.0GT TDI and im wanting to do this mod but am a little concerned cos my car is on a leasing contract for 3 years! I have the oddment tray rather than the venting system.  i was just wondering if any significant (noticable) damage is done to the dash or oddment tray in installing the ice?

Cheers

D

mrmagoo:

Hello folks.

Awesome forum, im fed up of itrip and am inspired!

Ive just got a 2.0GT TDI and im wanting to do this mod but am a little concerned cos my car is on a leasing contract for 3 years! I have the oddment tray rather than the venting system.  i was just wondering if any significant (noticable) damage is done to the dash or oddment tray in installing the ice?

Cheers

D

Not unless you break something! LOL

hello there!

ive managed to get the top odment tray out but am struggling with the top of the dash (with the air vents) - i just gotta be extra careful :-) ive unclipped from the cips at the windscreen edge but the dash still wont come off! are there anymore clips that i need to attack with a screwdriver under the odment tray or in between the vents and the lower dash?

thanks loads folks

aloha!

I ve finally managed it! it is a little tricky and knowing where to pull and where to use screwdriver is a help!

To get the odment tray out there are two screws undo these then use a flatheaded screwdriver on the edge near the windscreen push down and pull towards you (the cockpit edge) it should then pop free. there are two metal clip/spring things that you kinda push off using the screwdriver, pulling the odment tray towards you as you do this will also help.

To get the top half of the dash off undo the screws, undo the clips on the windscreen edge and the bit under the tray should then come loose, i found that if you pull this to vigorously the grey outer plastic pings out from around the air vents. it is important to go around the top of the radio unit itself with a flat screwdriver (i used the end of a spoon handle as this was more gentle and wider so was easier to pry away. if you gently pry away along the top of the radio concentrating on the edge clip ( as shown in the photos) and either side of the middle it should pry away quite easily and should not leave any marks on the exterior dash casing.

The bottom secion of the dash needs some care while prying off cos as kunid says the metal clips can easily come off. these can easily be fixed with superglue though! 

:-) Hope this helps ya'll

aloha

mrmagoo 

 

KuniD: I cannot possibly thank you enough for your informative, and useful installation description. My ordeal went as a result of it completely without problems, even the 4 rectangles under the AC-control where kept in line and hence did not come loose from their mountings.

Beware that hardisk-based iPods are IMO near useless in the car, track-shifting is annoyingly slow, the 30G video stays at home.

I preffer using my Nano instead, which has consistently quick operating, besides, it's easier to carry round as it will even dock with the rubber-glove on it.

 

Just installed my Ice>Link Plus in my Mk5 Golf using this guide. Thanks!

awesome! Im glad I stumbled accross this post!! I wasnt looking forward to fitting the unit, but this will halp a lot! Cheers!

I noticed the TDI floor mats in your car where did you purchase them from Thank you.

Im on the verge of purchasing an iPod link for my ED30 but want the ipod connector in the compartment where the bottle opener is.

Has anyone got any recommendations on a lead? Also how easy is it to gain access to this compartment?