VCDS (VAG-COM) codes and programmable options for Golf Mk7

[XaGiCo]

Hi, DV52 and XaGiCo.
I originally posted this instructions for increasing instrument panel illumination in my Japanse "Minkara" SNS page as below.

VCDS メータパãƒãƒ«ã[emoji768]照明を（昼間）明るãã[emoji769]ã‚‹??｜ゴルフ7/フã‚[emoji767]ルクスワーゲン｜整å‚[emoji769]手帳｜シンクレア｜ã¿ã‚“ã‚«ãƒ[emoji767] - 車・自動車SNS（ブãƒ*グ・パーツ・整å‚[emoji769]・燃費）
After my post several members were arranged of my post how to increase instruments illumination by several different parameters.

I may help to translate this to English if you need. (But my English capability is limited...)

By the way STG17 security code has been changed from MY16 which friend of mine who has MY16 model can't change STG17 setting due to this issue. Dose some one find out new security code ?

XaGiCo your document seems excellent even I do not understand spanish language. May I introduce this document in my Japanese SNS page "Minkara" ?
Thank you.

Hi Zeal8080!

Thanks you for in ST17!


Thanks !!! [emoji41][emoji41]

Yes, you can publish image and link in "Minkara"

https://goo.gl/D37qgp

Good Day!

XaGiCo

[ZEAL8080]

Hi,XaGiCo.
Thank you!

[DV52]

ZEAL8080 and XaGiCo. Hello to you both - It's certainly an honour and a privilege to talk to two such-knowledgeable forum colleagues!

ZEAL8080: I've use my friend "Google translate" to visit the Minkara forum and to look at your VCDS instructions - thank you for the link

Unfortunately, Google-translate wasn't good at turning Japanese into English, so I'm very much guessing what you had written!

To try and understand the basis of your instructions, I looked at my database to find-out how the factory values for the dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial set of adaptation channels varies across countries. Here is what I found:



Clearly and fortunately there is no variation in the factory settings for this group of adaptation channels in the various markets in which the mk7 is sold (within my database), so this makes everything much simpler!

Alas I had a lot of difficulty in understanding how your tweak works (this was entirely my fault - my apology), but I've tried to summarise my findings below in table form so as to minimise my language deficiency:



What I think that you have written is to change only the day_Y group of adaptation channels as shown above. And I think that you have submitted two separate curves as alternatives (i.e. the "brighter" and "more brighter" columns in my table). Can you please confirm my guess as per the table above - thankyou

XaGiCo: I've also tried to decipher your instructions for the same tweak as per page 30 of your document. Again I had difficulty understanding the pictures (my fault again), but I think that you have submitted one curve only in your instructions. However, I might have this wrong. Can you please check my table and confirm that I have correctly interpreted your pictures on page 30- thanks

Don

By the way STG17 security code has been changed from MY16 which friend of mine who has MY16 model can't change STG17 setting due to this issue. Dose some one find out new security code ?

ZEAL8080: Yes, it's true that the access code 20103 (which has worked up until now) is no longer valid on MY16 vehicles. I don't know why this has happened, but it has caused much consternation for those wishing to do VCDS tweaks on the instrument cluster module. As you are probably aware, the only way that the forum communities get to know these security codes is if there is a "leak" from VW head office, or one of their dealers. Alas I am not aware of anyone "leaking" the new security code for MY16 vehicles. But rest assured that as soon as anyone hears about this new code, we will all know together

Don

[zloybob]

try this login for MY16 STG17
25327

[ZEAL8080]

Hi, DV52. Thank you for your reply.
Based on my observation, X-Axis is photo transistor output which uses 8 bit long. And Y-Axis is intensity of meter panel(Clock_dial) which uses 6 bit long. I do not think to adjust X-axis value which is changed almost liner number. Thus I only changed Y-Axis value which can change the brightness of the meter panel.

At first, I changed Curve #1 Y-Axis value which looks good to identify need to turn on head light in evening time.



But it seems little dark in day time. So I modified Curve #2 which is more brighter. But it is bit hard to identify head light on time.
However many people uses Autolight position which looks no major issue.

Thanks and regards.

[dmc_]

try this login for MY16 STG17
25327

Yes! Working on a NAR MY16 7R. Thank you!



EDIT: While this code is accepted, it doesn't seem to give access to certain adaptation channels. I attempted to modify the dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_internal_p hototransistor set with no success. Even with the code accepted, VCDS reports security access is required.

[zloybob]

its very sad(

but u can find another login with VCP and Loginf Finder

[DV52]

Hi, DV52. Thank you for your reply.
Based on my observation, X-Axis is photo transistor output which uses 8 bit long. And Y-Axis is intensity of meter panel(Clock_dial) which uses 6 bit long. I do not think to adjust X-axis value which is changed almost liner number. Thus I only changed Y-Axis value which can change the brightness of the meter panel.

At first, I changed Curve #1 Y-Axis value which looks good to identify need to turn on head light in evening time.



But it seems little dark in day time. So I modified Curve #2 which is more brighter. But it is bit hard to identify head light on time.
However many people uses Autolight position which looks no major issue.

Thanks and regards.

ZEAL8080: thanks for the reply - but I'm still confused!

The preliminary work that I did before I posted my tweak (which involved changing the dynamic_characteristic_curve for the photo-transistor) suggested that the role of the "X" values and the "Y" Values were a little different. For the photo-transistor in the instrument cluster (which is fitted in the tachometer between the "7" and "8" markings - thanks agentthumb) , there was only one set of "X" and "Y" values. I believe that the "X" value relate to brightening illumination levels in the cabin and the "Y" values are for darkening illumination levels. As I wrote in my paper about the instrument cluster illumination, I suspect that the "X" and "Y" values for the phototransistor curve provide a reference for the "X" and "Y" values for the curves for:

• clock dial
• indicator lights
• middle display main field

For example, the setting for the X1 value on the phototransistor curve is the actual cabin illumination level that the clock dial uses for it's X1 setting. So when the X1 photo transistor value occurs, the clock dial illuminates to its X1 value if the cabin illumination is increasing and the Y1 settings are used if the cabin illumination levels are decreasing - hope this makes sense!

The clock dial has two, separate dynamic_characteristic_curves; a Day and a separate Night curve. But each curve still has a set of "X" and a set of "Y" values. This suggest to me (I could be wrong) that the "X" and "Y" values have the same functions as per the curve for the photo transistor.

Basically (if my original observations for the phototransistor are correct - and they may well be wrong), the individual "Y" values relate to increasingly darker illumination levels in the cabin (i.e. the darkest cabin illumination is Y1 which relates to twilight levels). Also as the setting values are increased, the illumination of the clocks increases.

This explains why you observed some difficulty with curve #2 - increasing the setting for Y1 on curve #2 results in the clock illumination becoming sufficiently bright that it no longer provides a prompt for the driver to switch-on the headlights. This can be fixed by simply making this value Hex0 (and leaving the rest of the Y values as is - I think.

If I'm wrong in my hypothesis (and I may well be wrong), then why does the mk7 have a set of "X/Y" dynamic_characteristic_curves at all for the photo-transistor? What are these curves used-for?

I would be extremely interested to hear your views about this!

Don

[ZEAL8080]

Hi, DV52. Thanks to make sure my reply. It seems my reply is not good to understand well.
First of all, I am not VW engineer I do not know fact of this characteristics yet. So my explanation may be wrong...

But based on my observation, I still believe X value is 8 bit A/D converted Photo transistor output value. And Y value is Clock
dial(Instruments meter panel) LED light intensity level which drive 6 bit D/A output.

When cabin illumination level is enough to bright like sunshine day time, Photo transistor output(X axis) will be reached to 255(FF Hex) and Clock dial LED intensity also set to 100(64 Hex). Which is full brightness of meter panel. If cabin illumination level is going to dark
such as under the bridge situation, Photo transistor output(X axis) may be reduced to 150 or less. If we use original setting of Golf MK7 when photo transistor output was reduced from 255 to 150(for example), Clock dial LED output(Meter panel illumination) was reduced to 05(Y4 value) based on my chart (Blue line). Which is too dark to see the meter panel brightness in day time.

So I did increased LED output to 18(12 Hex) which is brighter than 05 value of original setting. And also when cabin illumination level is more dark and photo transistor level is less than 100 or less, original setting of LED output is "0"(Y3 value) which is completely OFF of the LED output(Meter panel illumination). So I also change LED output from 0 to 08(08 Hex) which is able to see meter panel under the dark environment.

At the moment I have no correct answer of "why does the mk7 have a set of "X/Y" dynamic_characteristic_curves at all for the photo-transistor? What are these curves used-for" which I do not know the reason.

But at least, if you change "dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_internal_ phototransistor" value, all meter panel illumination level will be changed simultaneously not only meter panel, meter gauge and indicator lights etc. But if you change "dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dia l_day" which will changed only day time meter panel illumination. No change other illumination brightness.

I think your chart looks correct for dimming characteristic curve adjustment clock dial day. I have no urgument for this.

Finally sorry for my bad English which might be little hard to understand. But I am happy to discuss with you this kind of topic.
regards,
ZEAL8080

[DV52]

VCDS tweak -Increase illumination of instrument cluster clock dials

Grateful acknowledgement is given to our forum colleague ZEAL8080 for this tweak which will increase the lighting for the clock dials in the instrument cluster during daytime conditions.

The tweak works by altering the settings for the 6 x adaptation channels titled "dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial _day-Y". ZEAL8080 has provided two illumination curves which I have described as "Brighter" and "More Brighter" - so depending on your preference, you may elect to use either curve, or you can make-up a curve of your choosing. The relative settings between ZEAL8080's two curves is shown in the chart below together with the default values. As the settings are increased for each of the Y set points, the illumination increases for the particular light level in the cabin at the set-point. For the "day-Y" set of channels, Y6 corresponds to the brightest illumination in the cabin, and Y1, the darkest (twighlight level).

As discussed in my VCDS tweak -Increase instrument cluster illumination during daylight instructions (see post #446), consideration should be given to allowing the clock illumination to fade sufficiently during twilight levels, so as to be a visual reminder for the driver to turn-on the headlights. This setting is for the Y1 channel in the dimming curve, so I suggest that the setting remains at hex00, or near this value.

For those attempting this tweak, a word of warning from ZEAL8080's original instructions (in the minkara forum - Japan): The BCM contains a total of 24 x adaptation channels with the term dimming_characteristic_curve_adjustment_clock_dial. It's VERY important that the correct selection of adaptation channels be made for this tweak. To avoid the risk of error, I suggest that when accessing these channels that the "search" feature be used in Adaptation channel selection screen. Enter the term "day-Y" into the search box and you should see only the pertinent adaptation channels for this tweak in the pull-down menu.

Increase illumination of instrument cluster clocks- Instructions

1. Select 17 - Instrument control module
2. Select Security Access - 16 from the "Open Controller" screen
3. Enter the magic number 20103 and return to the "Open Controller" screen
4. Select Adaptation - 10 from the "Open Controller" screen
5. From the pull-down button change the settings for the adaptation channels shown in the table below (note: use the "search box" as described above)

Many thanks again to ZEAL8080 for authoring this tweak

Don
PS: If you develop a dimming curve that is beneficial, please share your findings with other forum members


EDIT: feedback

I also implemented a smooth curve of Y daily values trying to make the illumination changes as smooth as possible.

My ammended curve falls between the default curve and the second curve by ZEAL as follows:

Y1-01
Y2-03
Y3-07
Y4-11
Y5-2A
Y6-64

These values on one hand follow the exponential form of the default curve while on the other increase the illumination to a state that is approximately the "golden mean" between the default and the ZEAL curveRegards

Feedback: Zeals curve #2 is great during bright light conditions, but my observation is that as twilight approaches, Zeal's original curve #2 doesn't allow the clock dial to sufficiently dim so as to prompt the driver to switch-on the car's headlights. To rectify this matter, I have greatly reduced the settings for Y3, Y2 and Y1 to bring them closer to the factory default values. I have also increased the values for Y5 and Y4 to brighten the clock dials as a personal preference (during overcast daylight conditions). My modified curve #2 is shown below:
Don

Y1 - 00
Y2 - 01
Y3 - 03
Y4 - 40
Y5 - 52
Y6 - 64

[dmc_]

but u can find another login with VCP and Loginf Finder

What else can VCP do that VCDS cannot? I've had my HEX-CAN cable for over 10 years now, but I am tempted to also get VCP for my 7R. Login Finder and Video In Motion for the Discover Pro are two things I'd really like to try.

[DV52]

Hi, DV52. Thanks to make sure my reply. It seems my reply is not good to understand well.
First of all, I am not VW engineer I do not know fact of this characteristics yet. So my explanation may be wrong...

Finally sorry for my bad English which might be little hard to understand. But I am happy to discuss with you this kind of topic.
regards,
ZEAL8080

ZEAL8080: Hello again. I wanted to make clear that my confusion regarding your tweak does not result from your explanation. Rather, it was entirely due to my addled brain (made poorer by old age and a fondness for red wine)! I have thought further about your view and alas, I still can't accept your explanation of the purpose for the "X" and "Y" values in these dimming_curves. But that's OK - both your tweak and mine (using the phototransistor channels) work - so that's all that's necessary. I hope that we can both agree to disagree!

As you can see, I have included your tweak instructions in a previous post. Hopefully I have done justice to your original work.

Don
PS: There is nothing wrong with your English - it's very good and it's far better than my knowledge of the Japanese language!

[agentthumb]

3rd/High-Mounted Brake Light Tweaks - Instruction

Hey Don,

With 3rd brake light blinking with hazard lights, do you know if applying the brake overrides this behaviour?

IE.
1. Turn hazards on -> indicators and 3rd brake light flashes.
2. Apply brake-> brake lights come on, and 3rd brake light stays on.

OR
1. Turn hazards on -> indicators and 3rd brake light flashes.
2. Apply brake -> brake lights come on, 3rd brake light continues to flash

[DV52]

Hey Don,

With 3rd brake light blinking with hazard lights, do you know if applying the brake overrides this behaviour?

IE.
1. Turn hazards on -> indicators and 3rd brake light flashes.
2. Apply brake-> brake lights come on, and 3rd brake light stays on.

OR
1. Turn hazards on -> indicators and 3rd brake light flashes.
2. Apply brake -> brake lights come on, 3rd brake light continues to flash

Agentthumb: The short answer is "no" to both of your options!

I was careful in choosing the headings for the options in the table when I wrote the tweak (I thought), but clearly my words weren't evocative of the effect! What happens is that the 3rd brake light illuminates (and is steady) whilst both indicator lights flash (in the hazard mode). So there is no conflict with the brake light coming-on because it's the same lighting effect when the brake pedal is pressed (hope this makes sense)

Don

[agentthumb]

Ahh that makes sense.
Thank you


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