Tools required:
- 10mm spanner
- Large flat blade screwdriver
- Very small flat blade screwdriver
- T20 Torx/TX-Star bit screwdriver
- T8 Torx/TX-Star bit screwdriver
- 12mm XZN/Spline bit and wrench
- Torque wrench
- VAG-COM
Remove both battery terminals and insulate them.
Removing the steering wheel:
With the key in the ignition to prevent the steering lock engaging, turn the wheel a quarter turn to the left. Either by dropping the steering column or by using a small mirror, find the slot on the back of the steering wheel and insert the large flatblade screwdriver:
There is a metal spring clip which needs to be released by inserting the screwdriver blade above the clip and levering it down:
It takes a bit of wiggling but once unclipped that side of the airbag should stand proud of the wheel slightly.
Turn the wheel 180 degrees the other way and repeat to unclip the other side of the airbag, so it is released fully. Take care not to let it drop away from the steering wheel as it is attached by two wires which could break.
Unclip the two wires attaching the airbag to the steering wheel and remove the airbag unit:
Return the steering wheel to the straight ahead position and remove the key. Using the 12mm spline drive and a wrench, undo the large bolt holding the steering wheel on:
The steering column should have a punch mark on it that lines up with a line on the steering wheel so you don’t need to mark its position:
If so, remove the steering wheel, otherwise mark it first. Make sure the slip ring in the centre isn’t rotated 360 degrees out of position.
Removing the steering column trim:
Pull the trim at the lower edge of the instrument cluster towards you with a sharp tug to unclip it. Lift the top half of the steering column trim upwards at the end closest to the steering wheel:
Once unclipped the trim should separate easily.
Undo the three T20 Torx screws attaching the bottom half of the steering column trim:
Release the steering column with the handle and remove the trim, being careful not to catch it on the ignition switch.
Replacing the indicator stalk with the new cruise control stalk:
Remove the single silver T8 Torx screw at the bottom of the slip ring assembly, and insert a thin flat blade screwdriver into the hole beneath the T8 screw. Use the screwdriver to release the plastic clip holding the module to the bottom of the steering column. Once released gently lower the module so the plugs for the slip ring and two stalks are disengaged:
Release the two clips at the top of the slip ring and remove the assembly:
Ensuring the plugs are removed from the module beneath the steering column insert one screwdriver into the slot on the left hand side next to the indicator stalk, roughly around the centre, to disengage one clip:
Use the second screwdriver to unclip the clip at the back side of the stalk assembly:
Once unclipped and unplugged slide the unit towards you to remove it.
Slide the new cruise control stalk into position engaging the rails on the right hand side:
Put it all back together:
Basically reverse the process! Replace the slip ring making sure the clips engage properly, plug the module beneath the steering column back into all three plugs and replace the T8 screw.
Screw the bottom piece of steering column trim back into place, and then clip the top part back together.
Put the steering wheel back on making sure to line it up with the punch mark and the slip ring.
Replace the steering wheel bolt, reapplying locktite if necessary. The bolt itself if designed to only be used 4 times so replace with a new one if required. From my research the bolt should be tightened to 50Nm, but this seems incredibly tight (not much force was required to undo the bolt) so I only tightened it to 35Nm, although this still felt very tight.
Plug the airbag back into the steering wheel and clip it back into place making sure both spring clips engage.
Reconnect the battery.
Shut the doors, turn the ignition on and wind the windows all the way up and down a couple of times.
You will probably have a couple of warning lights on the dash, and maybe an ‘airbag fault’ warning on the MFD. To clear the steering angle sensor fault (picure of a steering wheel), start the car and turn the steering wheel full lock to the left and hold for a second --> return to centre and hold for a second --> full lock right and hold for a second --> return to centre. The airbag fault can be cleared using VAG-COM.
Activating cruise control:
I used v805.4 of VAG-COM which at the time didn’t have all the label files for the Scirocco so I had to make a couple of guesses and leaps of faith but it all paid off in the end.
Connect VAG-COM and go to select a control module. Select 09-Engine. Select Coding – 07 and click Long Coding Helper. An error message might be displayed but click Ok. The long coding helper probably wont be any help at all as you’ll be missing the label file, but select Byte 6 (7th box along) and tick Bit 0. Close the long coding helper and click Do It! Hopefully, you’ll get a box that says Code Accepted.
*
Verifying cruise control works:
Turning cruise control on on the stalk doesn’t turn any lights on on the dash which may make you think it hasn’t worked. Go for a test drive and try to set a speed. Hopefully it will work! Take you’re feet off the pedals and enjoy.
* I also made a change to the 16-Steering wheel control module but I’m not sure if this was necessary. The cruise control didn’t work until I made the change to the Engine code anyway.
