As a long-time enthusiast of Burger Tuning, starting from my experience with the JBD tuner on my 2011 BMW 335D, I was eager to install the JB4 on my Audi RS3. While Burger Tuning’s official guide was still in development, I decided to document my installation process to help fellow car enthusiasts. This guide will walk you through the installation and highlight how the JB4 integrates with your vehicle’s OBDII system for enhanced performance.
This installation is straightforward, rated as ‘easy’. It primarily involves unplugging a couple of connectors, inserting the JB4 in between, and routing an OBDII cable through your car’s firewall. The most challenging aspect might be locating the firewall grommet, but with this guide, you’ll find it manageable.
Let’s dive into the installation steps:
1. Accessing the Firewall Grommet for OBDII Cable Routing
Locate the grommet on the driver’s side (left side in US vehicles), situated above the dead pedal. This grommet serves as a passage for wires through the firewall. You’ll need to create a small opening in this grommet to feed the JB4’s OBDII cable into the cabin.
To find this location, open the driver’s side door and position yourself outside the car, legs facing forward. Lean into the car, reaching above the dead pedal. You should feel a wire loom and then the grommet. Once located, use a ballpoint pen to gently puncture a hole through the grommet.
Firewall Grommet Location for OBDII Cable
From the engine bay side, you can identify where the pen tip emerges. If you reach behind the positive jump terminal, you should easily find the pen or cable. Return inside the car, connect the OBDII connector to the JB4 cable, and carefully feed the wire through the grommet and into the engine bay.
OBDII Cable Feed Through Firewall
For this initial installation, I opted to leave the OBDII cable visible rather than routing it behind the trim. I plan to refine this in a future update. This quick install was sufficient for initial testing and configuration.
Why a Ballpoint Pen? Some guides suggest using a screwdriver, but I preferred a ballpoint pen to minimize the risk of damaging existing wires within the loom. The pen is effective for pushing through the rubber grommet while reducing the chance of puncturing any wire insulation. Plus, the white pen is easier to spot from the engine bay side.
2. Locating Engine Connectors
Remove the engine cover to access the necessary connectors. Identify the two connectors circled in the image below. These are the target connectors for integrating the JB4.
Engine Connectors for JB4 Installation
3. Connecting the Purple JB4 Cable
Disconnect the connector closest to your intake filter box (or aftermarket cone filter if installed). Connect the PURPLE cable from the JB4 harness to this disconnected engine connector, effectively placing the JB4 in series with the sensor.
Purple JB4 Cable Connection
4. Connecting the Multi-Colored JB4 Cable
Locate the connector towards the top of the engine. Disconnect this connector and splice in the multi-colored cable from the JB4 harness (avoid the GREEN cable). These connectors are designed to be unique, preventing any confusion during installation.
Multi-Colored JB4 Cable Connection
5. OBDII Connector and Wire Routing
Route the JB4 wiring neatly, ensuring it’s away from heat and moving parts. Connect the OBDII connector from the JB4 harness to the OBDII cable you routed through the firewall into the engine bay. This OBDII connection is crucial as it allows the JB4 to monitor various engine parameters and optimize performance based on real-time data. This integration is key to answering the question: Can I Use Obdii With Installed Jb4? Yes, the JB4 is designed to work seamlessly with your OBDII system.
6. Finalizing the Installation
Reinstall the engine cover and use zip ties to secure all JB4 wiring, keeping it tidy and protected. Ensure no wires are loose or can interfere with engine components.
With these steps completed, the JB4 installation is finished! It’s a remarkably simple process that brings significant performance gains to your Audi RS3.
It’s worth noting that you might not experience full boost immediately after installation. Also, you may initially see a traction control or check engine light. These are typically temporary and should disappear as the system calibrates. For detailed information on map selection and troubleshooting, always consult Burger Tuning directly.
This guide demonstrates how straightforward it is to install a JB4 tuner and integrate it with your Audi RS3’s OBDII system, unlocking enhanced performance and monitoring capabilities.
