OEM Electric Rear Blind Install

One of the first things I wanted to mod on this car is the rear electric blind. Given our hot summer months here, it's a mod that should come standard on these cars. To fit the electric rear blind, you have to either get a pre-cut or cut your rear parcel shelf. There's a cut-out at the back side of it for this purpose. The one I got was a from another car so I got the pre-cut parcel shelf with the blind mechanism. The mechanism bolts with 3 screws that are accessible through the trunk. I found the best way to install it was to install the rear blind on the shelf, then slide both of them in place and then bolt. The kit I got was without the console switch and only has 2 wires, going straight to the motor. Until I get the switch I use a generic double polarity momentarily on switch. I will not get into detail of how I run the wires to the front because this is already covered in other DIYs here. You can also run them from the side of the vehicle under the door sill etc.

Removing existing rear parcel shelf:

Remove Both Pillars and pop the rear seat:

Remove both seat bolsters (left/right)

Remove lower seat belt bracket (T50 or T55 Torx)

Remove middle plastic cover by popping up the 4 rivets across it.

Now the rear parcel shelf just slides out of its place:

The new parcel shelf with the rear blind mechanism:

Thankfully it's not as discolored as mine. It came with speakers installed which I quickly binned.

The actual rear blind mechanism

Already cut slot for installation:

Only two wires coming from the mechanism (red+black are mine and go to the dash console):

Installed the mechanism and soldered extension wiring:

Install time now:

I took the sound insulating padding from the old shelf and glued it on top of the new one to eliminate the famous rear parcel shelf rattle:

New parcel slides in place with the rear blind installed:

Bolts from inside the trunk. My Amp was covering the middle hole so it's not shown in the pictures. This is the right side:

Reinstall the middle cover plate, pillars, seat bolsters reversing all procedures:

Needs around 3 seconds to fully open:

Sorry for the dust!!!

From the inside:

Install Time: 3 Hours