Mk6 LED Taillights

[backdoc]

Whilst mucking around with VAGCOM changes has anyone experimented with led number plates lights to see if those error codes disappear? I'm about to fit the R tails and whilst I'm recoding for that I thought I would see if any one has tips on the numberplate lights?

[Ozram]

Whilst mucking around with VAGCOM changes has anyone experimented with led number plates lights to see if those error codes disappear? I'm about to fit the R tails and whilst I'm recoding for that I thought I would see if any one has tips on the numberplate lights?

I can't recall seeing a byte for the number plate lights, that's not to say there isn't one as I wasn't really looking for it. I know all interior lights can be changed to LED without any codes coming up, it's just the external lights that will give a code.
Best advice I could offer is try and get the coding off a MY12 car that has them standard and the we'll see if earlier models can be retro-coded.

[backdoc]

I can't recall seeing a byte for the number plate lights, that's not to say there isn't one as I wasn't really looking for it. I know all interior lights can be changed to LED without any codes coming up, it's just the external lights that will give a code.
Best advice I could offer is try and get the coding off a MY12 car that has them standard and the we'll see if earlier models can be retro-coded.

Who's donating their MY12 GTI to science?

[AdamD]

Just an update on the coding. We fitted my LED Tails yesterday (many thanks to Ozram for his expert help and advice!) and for my car (MY11.5 with 0615, Xenon's with DRL) the only code that worked was HEX "04" at Byte 18.

Thanks very much chopper! Can you please just confirm that code 04 doesn't result in any issues with your LED DRLs (ie they're on when enabled, and can be disabled/re-enabled), and that your inner hatch lights do switch off when opening the tailgate?

I've updated the coding summary post.

[Kronik]

I think the Code Box only works with LHD Cars! Just recode the VAGCOM!

You will need the Adaptors though...

Cheers mate

[chopper]

Thanks very much chopper! Can you please just confirm that code 04 doesn't result in any issues with your LED DRLs (ie they're on when enabled, and can be disabled/re-enabled), and that your inner hatch lights do switch off when opening the tailgate?

I've updated the coding summary post.

No worries Adam,

Haven't tried disabling the LED DRLs... but they dim appropriately when the lights are on and brighten up when the lights are off! I assume it would work though... am up in QLD on holidays at the moment and will check when I am back.

And yes, the inner hatch lights turn off when the hatch is open, while the outer lights remain on!

I have had no codes thrown up, no issues and they look GREAT! Now... if only I could sort out the bloody LED Numberplate lighting!

[XTC838]

Newbie here. Can anyone tell me if the code box and VAGCOM are one and the same? Do you need VW to programme VAGCOM or can anyone do it as long as they have the cable?

[chopper]

Thanks very much chopper! Can you please just confirm that code 04 doesn't result in any issues with your LED DRLs (ie they're on when enabled, and can be disabled/re-enabled), and that your inner hatch lights do switch off when opening the tailgate?

I've updated the coding summary post.

I checked last night... yes, I can enable and disable the DRLs.

Newbie here. Can anyone tell me if the code box and VAGCOM are one and the same? Do you need VW to programme VAGCOM or can anyone do it as long as they have the cable?

Code box is different... VAGCOM is the "Electrical System" that controls your car, and can be programmed by anyone with the cable and software... for a price (a Carton is a reasonable price me thinks! ). The "Code Box" I believe is for LHD cars to remove the VAGCOM errors from the car with the LED lights.

[Corey_R]

Technically, the CANBUS system is the electrical system used in Volkswagen (and other VAG) cars.

VAG-COM is the old name for VCDS (Vag-Com Diagnostic Software), which is a non-Volkswagen product made by Ross-Tech. VAG asked Ross-Tech to change the name to avoid confusion about who made the product.

The "Code box" allows the LHD owners to install the LEDs and have the "Code box" make the changes to the appropriate system via the CANBUS. This means you don't have to buy a VCDS cable/license. However, from older posts in this thread, I don't believe that the code box works for the RHD vehicles - thus, you'll need to talk to someone nearby with a VCDS cable in order to make the code changes. Your dealer could also assist (though, they don't use VCDS).

[chopper]

Technically, the CANBUS system is the electrical system used in Volkswagen (and other VAG) cars.

VAG-COM is the old name for VCDS (Vag-Com Diagnostic Software), which is a non-Volkswagen product made by Ross-Tech. VAG asked Ross-Tech to change the name to avoid confusion about who made the product.

The "Code box" allows the LHD owners to install the LEDs and have the "Code box" make the changes to the appropriate system via the CANBUS. This means you don't have to buy a VCDS cable/license. However, from older posts in this thread, I don't believe that the code box works for the RHD vehicles - thus, you'll need to talk to someone nearby with a VCDS cable in order to make the code changes. Your dealer could also assist (though, they don't use VCDS).

... yep, what he said!

I should have just left it for an expert to answer!

[Kronik]

Technically, the CANBUS system is the electrical system used in Volkswagen (and other VAG) cars.

VAG-COM is the old name for VCDS (Vag-Com Diagnostic Software), which is a non-Volkswagen product made by Ross-Tech. VAG asked Ross-Tech to change the name to avoid confusion about who made the product.

The "Code box" allows the LHD owners to install the LEDs and have the "Code box" make the changes to the appropriate system via the CANBUS. This means you don't have to buy a VCDS cable/license. However, from older posts in this thread, I don't believe that the code box works for the RHD vehicles - thus, you'll need to talk to someone nearby with a VCDS cable in order to make the code changes. Your dealer could also assist (though, they don't use VCDS).

Just out of curiosity, what would be different between the LHD and RHD that you couldn't use the codebox? Apart from the steering wheel being on the other side....

[Corey_R]

I haven't paid attention to the specifics of the coding, as it doesn't concern me... I'll let the experts reply (AdamD, Ozram etc)

[Ozram]

Just out of curiosity, what would be different between the LHD and RHD that you couldn't use the codebox? Apart from the steering wheel being on the other side....

Not sure exactly mate. As I have a VCDS cable I never bothered looking into getting a codebox. I would imagine it may be due to the location of the reverse light and fog light, more specifically the control module that runs the LED's. They are the major differences between the LHD & RHD cars. North America also has a 'two reverse light and no fog light' configuration that means the light switch on the dash is different.

I'm sure it must be to do with the ability of the codebox to communicate with the control module and re-flash it.

If you find different please share with us.

[backdoc]

Isn't there a guy buried in this thread that used the code box from TM tuning with no probs? I'm sure I remember some guys questioning whether it would work but it did. Could be wrong though, has happened before!

[Kronik]

I did some reading and from what I've come to understand is that the codebox will only work on vehicles with the single rear reverse light setup. I believe the US model Golf has dual reverse lights, so the codebox won't work on them. I stand to be corrected though...

Anyways, I've gone and ordered the adapters and codebox from TMTuning, so I will be sure to post the outcome once I have received and fitted them to my GTI