Turning off Daytime running lights

[Snail Style]

Hey guys, has anyone figured out how to turn off daytime running lights on the Golf 7 yet? I've done a search on google and can only find references to cars over in the UK, which their procedure doesn't seem to work.

[elephino]

Asking the obvious but have you tried in the manual? In the Mk6 there was a procedure listed in there.

[Guest001]

Just as a heads up I believe it is illegal to turn them off if the car comes factory equipped with them.

See and be seen Why would you want to turn them off

[Lucas_R]

In the MK6, you can turn them off via the steering wheel controls and navigating through the menu on the MFD (Lights & Convenience / Daytime Running Lights / ON/OFF). It seems only Mk6's after 2011 had this ability. (my MY11.5 Golf R does). I turn my DRL's off on sunny days as i think it looks a bit wanky. I only turn them on if its overcast or a darker day. Engine needs to be running (but not moving, and doors closed) to access the menu on the MFD.

There is also a procedure using the indicator stalk and ignition which works on my 2010 GTI. Push indicator down (as if turning left) and pull towards you (as if indicating to turn left and also using the highbeams) and then turn the ignition on. Hold for 5 seconds and beep will sound and DRL's will turn off.

To turn them back on, repeat the same process but indicate right.

Surely the MK7 will be similar to one of these processes.

[Snail Style]

Yeah no luck with those procedures. Some people don't want to be seen... Like a private investigator maybe?

[Guest001]

Yeah no luck with those procedures. Some people don't want to be seen... Like a private investigator maybe?

Plenty of other cars to buy without them although more and more have them for safety reasons.

[DV52]

Hey guys, has anyone figured out how to turn off daytime running lights on the Golf 7 yet? I've done a search on google and can only find references to cars over in the UK, which their procedure doesn't seem to work.

Snail Style: Ryan_R is correct about the mk6, but I'm pretty sure that you can't turn-off the daytime running lights (DRL) using the same process on the mk7. I think that the only way that you can do this on a MK7 is with a VCDS cable.

I hadn't heard Hillbilly's advice before, but it's worth considering before you proceed with what I'm about to say below.

If you have a VCDS cable (or you have access to one), there is a tweak that enables you to disable the DRL when the light switch in the normal, "Off" position. With the tweak activated, the DRLs will turn-on only if you have the light switch in the "auto" position. Not sure if this is what you want (i.e. the DRL are not fully disabled). I'm also not sure of the legal status of this type of interference to the DRL given Hillbilly's advice.

Anyhow, you can find the VCDS tweak on the site that Ryan_R has quoted. The URL is :


stemei.de .VCDS Codierungen .Codierungsservice .Webdesign - Stefan Meier - Tagfahrlicht nur in Schalterstellung Auto - VCDS Codierungen, Webdesign


The website is in German, but with Google translate, the instructions are as follows :

The onboard supply control unit, you have the option of the new VW Golf 7, the daytime running lights (DRL) be set so that it is activated only in the switch in the Auto position. In switch position '0 '(light) Thus, the daytime running lights of the headlights (LED or halogen) will be disabled.

The following coding is used:

Select STG 09 (vehicle power)
STG access authorization -> Function 16
Enter access code 31347
STG adjustment -> function 10
Channel (9) - select daytime running lights only switch in the Auto position
Select " active"

The English is a little "clunky", but the instructions are fairly clear. I haven't tried this tweak, so please let us all know how it turns-out for you if you use the fix.

[scobb]

I don't want to turn them off at any time for safety (and I suspect, legal) reasons, but I would like to be able to change them for a bright white bulb or an LED equivalent. Any recommendations for suitable products that won't throw up an error code? Also, how straightforward is it to access and change these bulbs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snail Style]

It takes 2 seconds to pull both bulbs out, that's how we have the car setup at the moment. However the globe warning light can be annoying. Will have a go at the permanent fix today and report back.

[DV52]

Hey guys, has anyone figured out how to turn off daytime running lights on the Golf 7 yet? I've done a search on google and can only find references to cars over in the UK, which their procedure doesn't seem to work.

Activation of Daytime Running Lights only if switch is in the Auto position

1. [*=2]Select STG 09 (Cent. Elect.)
   [*=2] STG access authorization -> Function 16
   [*=2] Enter access code 31347
   [*=2] STG adjustment -> function 10
   [*=2] Channel (9) - Tagfahrlicht nur in Schalterstellung Auto auswählen
   [*=2]Select " active"
   

Edit: Snail Style - I've changed step (5) above to read the original German. I suspect that this is how you will see the channel option when (and if) you try the tweak.

[Snail Style]

Figured it out guys, however it needed a dealership's VAS to get it done. The way explained above altered the way the auto lights work, making them activate daytime running lights; however it did not turn the daytime running lights off in the 0 position. The way I have them set them up now they do not work entirely, however bulbs are still fitted and no faults are thrown.

Anyone in Victoria feel free to gimme a pm and I can let you know who can get it done.

[DV52]

Figured it out guys, however it needed a dealership's VAS to get it done. The way explained above altered the way the auto lights work, making them activate daytime running lights; however it did not turn the daytime running lights off in the 0 position. The way I have them set them up now they do not work entirely, however bulbs are still fitted and no faults are thrown.

Anyone in Victoria feel free to gimme a pm and I can let you know who can get it done.

snail style: Just to confirm your findings (please). Are you saying that the VCDS tweak had no effect on the DRLs when the switch was in the off position (i.e. the DRLs remained on)?
Also, what happened to the DRLs when the switch was in the "auto" position (after the VCDS tweak)?

[Snail Style]

So basically in the off position, the DRLs worked exactly the same. When in auto mode now, it makes use of DRLs instead of parkers from what I could see. Main point is that VCDS could not turn them off.

A dealer machine had a **** tonne more adaptions in it. However they were all still in german too.

[DV52]

So basically in the off position, the DRLs worked exactly the same. When in auto mode now, it makes use of DRLs instead of parkers from what I could see. Main point is that VCDS could not turn them off.

A dealer machine had a **** tonne more adaptions in it. However they were all still in german too.

Snail Style: Many thanks for the feedback. Understanding how the VCDS cable works on a mkVII is a slow and tedious process. Very little piece of additional information is valuable. Sorry that the tweak didn't work, but it sounds like the VAS fix was successful.

[DV52]

Figured it out guys, however it needed a dealership's VAS to get it done. The way explained above altered the way the auto lights work, making them activate daytime running lights; however it did not turn the daytime running lights off in the 0 position. The way I have them set them up now they do not work entirely, however bulbs are still fitted and no faults are thrown.

Anyone in Victoria feel free to gimme a pm and I can let you know who can get it done.

Snail Style: Notwithstanding that my previous suggestion proved to be unsuccessful- my appology again, I've personally tried the following VCDS tweak and it works brilliantly on my mkVII. The good thing about this tweak (other than the fact that it actually works) is that I am able to select DRL on, or DRL off using the car menu display (on the Discover media head). The original material comes from the Stemie.de site.

Just a note of caution: before using the tweak, please consider Hillbilly's advice

Just as a heads up I believe it is illegal to turn them off if the car comes factory equipped with them.

Disable/enable Daytime Running Lights using Discover Media screen (mkVII)

The following coding is used:

1 Select 09-Cent. Elect.

2.Select Security Access-16

3. Enter Code 31347

4. click Do it! tab

5. Select Adaptation-10

6. From pull-down channel list, select (2)-Daytime Running Lights- Tagfahrlicht Aktivierung durch BAP oder Bedienfolge möglich

7. Enter New value = active (default stored value = "not active").

Click Do it! .

Click Add to log to record a copy of the change report .

Click Go Back and exit the VCDS software

Using the function

1. Select Car from the buttons on the side of the media screen. Then press Setup (on the bottom RHS)

2. Select Light

3. Enable the "tick" on Daytime Running Light (tick-on DRLs on, tick-off DRLs off

QED!!

Edit: In subsequent discussion following this post, Diesel_vert included further information that is pertinent for those considering this tweak (in Australia at least). It's worth reading these posts before proceeding. Below is an extract from the starting post for Diesel_vert's advice (i.e. post#17).

The authority for this is ADR 13/00, noting clause 8.14.1 which indicates daytime running lamp(s) are optional:

4.2. Where the fitment of a lamp is indicated as optional, this means that it is not mandatory to fit the lamp, but if fitted, the lamp(s) are required to comply with this standard.

8. Where the installation of a lamp is indicated as optional, this means that it is not mandatory to fit the lamp, but if fitted, the lamp(s) are required to comply.