Guide: B7 Passat footwell lights

[passat123]

I had that issue when I changed the lights to LED. Replaced the LED and the problem went away, simply faulty LEDs.

I activated the lights and vision/conv option via VCDS

[snerlo]

The footwell lights will blink when you first start the car up as the car is checking for blown bulbs. Mine does it after I converted mine to LED.

[kamold]

You can turn on cold diagnostics for them and they won't flicker.

[seanmau5]

Thanks for the help guys, I had a bit of a fiddle with the footwell lights this afternoon and came to the following conclusion..

Firstly, about six months ago, I installed the front footwell lights via the BCM and activated them via VCDS. I also coded the car to provide ambient lighting whenever the headlights are on. The footwell light setting was available on the MFD.

I noticed that after installing the door courtesy lights (which required disconnecting the battery, possibly resetting the coding I did to provide ambient light??) the light provided by the footwell light was very dull and the brightness couldn't be controlled through the MFD. When this happened I noticed there was very slight flickering but just ignored it.

Over the last few weeks it has been getting progressively worse so this is what I did today:
- change the drivers side LED that was provided by Bold-Sport with the kit to another LED I had on hand. Same issue. Is the number on what appears to be the resistor a rating? (Bold-Sport LED has '301' on it and spare LED has '351')
- I then tried the original halogen that was provided. With the door open the halogen bulb was at 100% brightness as expected, but with the door closed it was off! And the LED in the other footwell fitting was dull and flickering.
- I then tested with a multimeter when the door was open; 13v as expected... Door closed and the voltage fluctuated between 0.15 and 0.31 volts; just enough residual voltage to light up the LED and change the brightness in conjunction with fluctuation.

Anyway, probably all pointless information for this thread but just thought I would share my findings..

[Steve28]

I'm looking at doing this mod and have a couple of questions I haven't seen answered above.

If I go with the LED version, do they dim/fade with the interior lights, or are they just on and off?

Can I have them fully wired up before updating the VCDS, or do I wait until I'm able to program the VCDS?


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[passat123]

Yes, the LEDs dim via the MFD and fade too when you lock the car.

You can fully wire it up and have all connected then get it activated later.

I had mine wired up and activated then a few days later.

[Steve28]

Thanks for confirming.

Once installed I'll put the call out for anyone that can help re-code in Melbourne area. Otherwise, is a dealer an option or do they just charge a fortune?


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[passat123]

Depends who you talk to from the dealer. The ones in Sydney told me it is not possible to activate with the software they have BUT another dealer in Sydney has VCDS/Ross Tech and was charging $80-$120 to code it, I just for a forum member to activate it..

The activation only takes 2 mins.

[limiteded]

Ive installed LED foortwell illumination in both my passats, my mothers mk6 golf, and my partners mk7 golf.
ive usec the same genuine ones in all vehicles, sourced from carsystems.pl
they have the option of buying the wiring harness also which i dont bother with because ive got terminals, tools, knowledge and manuals.

with all the above mentioned, coding is required, and the leds work fine, but uve goto tell the bcm that they are leds. Vcds has these options.
also because they are leds i code the footwell lights to be on with terminal 58d ( driving lights). From the mfd you can then select if you want them on, and the brightness.
mk7 its fromthe center screen in the car menu

earthing is best to use a dedicated earthpoint. The designed point is the lower a pillar earthpoint.

alsowhen plugging into the bcm, you must disconnect the battery before removing the 52 pin plug. The bcm may melt down if you lust yank a plug out live, sine the CAN bus is broken live, and all the other functions

[leonhartsberger]

Thanks for this great tutorial! It's been hard to find something for the B7 version, I only found for B6 before...
I am trying to instal footwell lights in both front and back, so I have a few questions, that perhaps you could help me:

• Is there any closer earth point than the one indicated? My cables are too short to get there (I bought the kit from aliexpress if I remember correctly). I imagine you had to buy a new screw, because I don't have that screw in my car - it's very difficult to see on the side unless I remove the door?
• Is it necessary to unplug the battery before removing the 52 conector?
• Since I have to install both front and back footwell lights, I have 2 earth points to connect and 2 links. Should I plug them to pin 50 and 51 or where do I connect the backseat footwell light?

Thanks in advance! Love the tutorial! I hope I can also share my experience in this forum

[ZR36]

this is not standard in the b7??? Looks like alot of work for a few lights especially being factory in the r36.

[Throbbinhood]

Does anyone know if it's the same process in a B6?

[Throbbinhood]

Thanks for confirming.

Once installed I'll put the call out for anyone that can help re-code in Melbourne area. Otherwise, is a dealer an option or do they just charge a fortune?


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Hey mate, Im in Melbourne's South East. I can help you recode, can you help me install? I don't have the right tools etc. B6 Wagon FWIW.

[leonhartsberger]

Does anyone know if it's the same process in a B6?

I think this is for B6: Fußraumbeleuchtung vorn | Passat3c.info - powered by Contrexx Web Content Management System
Perhaps you need to translate it elsewhere as it's all in german!

Other nice tutorials in german:
Umbauten | Passat3c.info - powered by Contrexx Web Content Management System


I also found this for B7 but doesn't help me:
VWVortex.com - DIY: Installing OEM Front and Rear Footwell Lighting

Can anyone please help with my questions from above? Thanks!

[Throbbinhood]

I think this is for B6: Fußraumbeleuchtung vorn | Passat3c.info - powered by Contrexx Web Content Management System
Perhaps you need to translate it elsewhere as it's all in german!

Other nice tutorials in german:
Umbauten | Passat3c.info - powered by Contrexx Web Content Management System


I also found this for B7 but doesn't help me:
VWVortex.com - DIY: Installing OEM Front and Rear Footwell Lighting

Can anyone please help with my questions from above? Thanks!

Cheers bloke, legend!