Parking lights: DRL no dim with fogs on

[specgti]

Hello,

Background:
I have a US spec 2017 mk7 gti se (lighting package) with euro headlight switch.

Goal:
While switch is in parking light position - when switch is pulled out and fog lights on, I would like to have DRL NOT DIM and remain at normal intensity.

Have been searching around with no luck, any help is appreciated:)

[dv52 (Australia)]

specgti : Hi.

As I'm sure you will understand - because I live in the very deep south , I don't get to see many "US spec 2017 mk7 GTI SE" cars down here. In truth, I have seen none of these cars!!

So, I'm guessing how your NAR (North America Region) model car is factory programmed. I'm also assuming (again, guessing) that this car is equipped with LED DRL lamps. If my assumption is wrong and if these are in fact incandescent lamps - then I would caution against "DRL NOT DIM and remain at normal intensity". DRL fittings with incandescent lamps don't have reflectors with cut-off characteristics - this means that full illumination of these lamps at night-time will tend to blind drivers in on-coming cars!!

Theoretically, it should be possible to achieve your wants - BUT (yes, there is always a "but"), if your Yankee car is factory programmed like it's equivalent RoW model, the problem is often that there are not sufficient spare Lichtfunktion channels in the DRL Leuchte-sets. This happens normally because the DRL lamps are factory prgrammed to operate in multiple different ways (i.e. normal DRL, Parking Light and DRL wink).

My other caution about this tweak generally is that in true fog conditions, full illumination of the DRLs will tend to deteriorate the driver's ability to see through the fog. Fog lights are effective because they are positioned low on the car - so these lamps tend to send light "underneath" the fog. If the DRLs are fully illuminated at the same time, these higher positioned lights will shine directly into the fog - and as a result, the reflected light from the fog will tend to blind the driver!

Anyway, if you want to proceed - I suggest that the way forward here is for you to post-up screen-shots of the Leuchte-sets for the DRLs on one side of the car (I can deduce the settings for the other car-side). These Leuchte-sets are:

• Leuchte2SL VLB10
• Leuchte4TFL LB4

To be clear - I need to see the settings on ALL 19 x channels for each Leuchte-set above.

Don

[specgti]

Thanks for the reply,

I fully understand and agree with your points about safety and running full strength DRL in foggy conditions making things worse. (I work nights at an aerospace plant that is located on a river =d.) I would like to retain normally drl behavior in regular low beam headlight mode (where is dims). I only want to have full strength DLR and fogs when in parking mode. I only use fog lights for there intended purpose while in lowbeam mode anyways.
If this is not possible, I will give up on the idea.

What I am trying to achieve is full strength dlr and fogs in parking mode for use in daytime/dusk settings. Never for use in true fog or nighttime environments.

Let me know if this is doable, and I will gladly get my current settings sent over to you.


Thanks!
- Yankee doodle dandy.

[dv52 (Australia)]

specgti : I have a few "Yankee" friends that have chosen to live down-under (where women glow and men chunder). Anyway, they often say that they can't understand my thick Aussie accent. I suspect that this is the reason why you were confused by my request below :

Don

PS: Ain't nothing I can do to help without this information

Oct 28, 2022 22:26:35 GMT dv52 (Australia) said:

Anyway, if you want to proceed - I suggest that the way forward here is for you to post-up screen-shots of the Leuchte-sets for the DRLs on one side of the car (I can deduce the settings for the other car-side). These Leuchte-sets are:

• Leuchte2SL VLB10
• Leuchte4TFL LB4

To be clear - I need to see the settings on ALL 19 x channels for each Leuchte-set above.

[specgti]

[dv52 (Australia)]

specgti: Thanks. That's half the story -why not Leuchte4TFL LB4?

hmm......... interesting (maybe the word "innovative" is more appropriate) Leuchte-programming on Leuchte2SL VLB10! Most definitely NOT factory settings!

Has someone attempted to delete "DRL wink" on this car (where the DRL dims/switches-OFF on the car side that operates the turn-signal)? Does DRL wink work on both sides of this car and how do you want this function to operate with the fog-light tweak?

Don

[specgti]

Yes I have done an adaptation for no turn signal drl wink. I would like to revert this to stock if possible.

Leuchte2SL VLB10
   Dimmwert CD 2
      Old Value: 0
      New value: 100
   Lichtfunktion E 2
      Old value: nicht aktiv
      New value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)

Leuchte3SL VRB21
   Dimmwert CD 3
      Old value: 0
      New value: 100
   Lichtfunktion E 3
      Old value: nicht aktiv

      New value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)

[dv52 (Australia)]

OK - I'm guessing that this Yankee car has LED front fog-lights. If I'm correct, try this and report-back your observation (please):

Leuchte4TFL LB4

Lichtfunktion G 4 > Nebellicht links
Lichtfunktion H 4 > not active
Dimmwert GH 4 > 127
Dimming Direction GH 4 > maximize


Leuchte5 TFL RB32
Lichtfunktion G 5 > Nebellicht rechts
Lichtfunktion H 5 > not active
Dimmwert GH 5 > 127
Dimming Direction GH 5 > maximize

Leuchte2SL VLB10
Dimmwert CD 2 > 0
Lichtfunktion G 2 > Nebellicht links
Lichtfunktion H 2 > not active
Dimmwert GH 2 > 100
Dimming Direction GH 2 > maximize

Leuchte3SL VRB21
Dimmwert CD 3 > 0
Lichtfunktion G 3 > Nebellicht rechts
Lichtfunktion H 3 > not active
Dimmwert GH 3 > 100
Dimming Direction GH 3 > maximize

[specgti]

Yes I have led DRL, led fogs, lighting package projectors headlights.

So I tried the adaptations, I have some weird results.

Auto mode:(night)
Normal setting - drl full strength, headlights full strength, fogs off, no wink.
Normal w/ fog switch - DRL full strength, headlights full strength, fogs on, no wink.

Parking lights mode: (night)
Normal setting - DRL full strength, headlights off, fogs off, wink functioning correct.
Normal w/ fog switch - DRL full strength, headlights off, fogs on, no wink.

Low beams mode: (night)
Normal setting - DRL dims, headlights on, fogs off, no wink.
Normal w/ fog light switch - drl full strength, headlights on, no wink.

I also got an adaptive headlight fault while in low beam mode with fogs engaged that pinged.



Edit: sidenote I enabled the "drl with fogs" app and disabled it as well a while back. Not sure if this could be a variable, but figured it is worth mentioning.

[dv52 (Australia)]

hmm..... very odd indeed!

First- By design, DRL wink is meant to operate ONLY during daytime conditions - it isn't meant to work when either low-beams, or Parking are switched-on

If you have kept the settings as per my suggestion, post-up the 2 x Leuchte-sets as before. If you have reverted back to the original settings - post-up a copy of your history records (see instructions below)



Don

[specgti]

I have not reverted back changes yet.









Edit: I removed all system scans from the list. It was quite out of hand without doing this.

OBDeleven vehicle history log

Date: 2022-11-02 18:39

VIN: 3VW547AU1HM041134
Car: Volkswagen Golf GTI
Year: 2017
Body type: 5-dr hatchback
Engine: CXCB
Mileage: 51007 KM

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte3SL VRB21
Values:
Lichtfunktion G 3:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Nebellicht links
Dimmwert GH 3:
Old value: 0
New value: 100
Dimmwert CD 3:
Old value: 100
New value: 0
Mileage: 51007 km
Date: 2022-11-01 21:23

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte2SL VLB10
Values:
Dimmwert GH 2:
Old value: 0
New value: 100
Lichtfunktion G 2:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Nebellicht links
Dimmwert CD 2:
Old value: 100
New value: 0
Mileage: 51007 km
Date: 2022-11-01 21:22

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte5 TFL RB32
Values:
Lichtfunktion G 5:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Nebellicht rechts
Dimmwert GH 5:
Old value: 0
New value: 127
Mileage: 51007 km
Date: 2022-11-01 21:19

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte4TFL LB4
Values:
Lichtfunktion G 4:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Nebellicht links
Dimmwert GH 4:
Old value: 0
New value: 127
Mileage: 51007 km
Date: 2022-11-01 21:18

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: DRL with Fog Lights
Old value: ON
New value: OFF
Mileage: 50877 km
Date: 2022-10-23 18:44

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Urban Joke
Old value: UrbanJoke V1
New value: UrbanJoke V2
Mileage: 45846 km
Date: 2021-11-19 18:03

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 5F Multimedia
Name: Locked menu contents
Values:
FB_MEDIA_8:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_12:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_46:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_9:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_45:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_11:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_13:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_TUNER_5:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_14:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_12:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_TUNER_7:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_NAV_0:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_PHONE_6:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_15:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_44:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_NAV_9:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_NAV_21:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_47:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_NAV_4:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_TUNER_4:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_1:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_NAV_6:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_3:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_2:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_PHONE_4:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_5:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_19:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_PHONE_0:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_7:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_9:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_0:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_10:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_3:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_PHONE_7:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_18:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_11:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_0:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_PHONE_5:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_TUNER_3:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_TUNER_6:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_10:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_2:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_12:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MISC_20:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_CAR_11:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_4:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
FB_MEDIA_5:
Old value: blocked
New value: non_blocked
Mileage: 44938 km
Date: 2021-09-26 08:33

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Open door alarm
Old value: All doors
New value: OFF
Mileage: 44833 km
Date: 2021-09-13 17:55

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Open door alarm
Old value: Driver door
New value: All doors
Mileage: 44833 km
Date: 2021-09-13 17:54


---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: ESC off permanently
Old value: ASR OFF/ESC OFF V2
New value: ESC SPORT/ESC OFF V2
Mileage: 44745 km
Date: 2021-09-12 06:41

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: ESC off permanently
Old value: ESC SPORT/ESC OFF V2
New value: ASR OFF/ESC OFF V2
Mileage: 44745 km
Date: 2021-09-12 06:13

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: ESC off permanently
Old value: ASR OFF/ESC SPORT
New value: ESC SPORT/ESC OFF V2
Mileage: 44745 km
Date: 2021-09-12 06:07

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte3SL VRB21
Values:
Lichtfunktion E 3:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)
Mileage: 44706 km
Date: 2021-09-10 20:46

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte2SL VLB10
Values:
Lichtfunktion E 2:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)
Mileage: 44706 km
Date: 2021-09-10 20:45

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Increased Engine Responsiveness
Old value: Standard(VW)
New value: Increased(Audi)
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 19:05

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Throttle pedal response
Old value: Standard
New value: Responsive
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 19:03

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: ZV Komfort
Values:
Funk Komfort schliessen:
Old value: not active
New value: active
Comfort opening:
Old value: not active
New value: active
Funk Komfort oeffnen:
Old value: not active
New value: active
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:42

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 03 Brakes
Name: Starting vibration reduction
Values:
Starting vibration reduction:
Old value: Strong
New value: Deactivated
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:29

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte3SL VRB21
Values:
Dimmwert CD 3:
Old value: 0
New value: 100
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:19

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte2SL VLB10
Values:
Dimmwert CD 2:
Old value: 0
New value: 100
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:19

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte2SL VLB10
Values:
Lichtfunktion E 2:
Old value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)
New value: nicht aktiv
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:09

---------------------------------------------------------------
Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte3SL VRB21
Values:
Lichtfunktion E 3:
Old value: Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht)
New value: nicht aktiv
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 18:08

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Urban Joke
Old value: Standard
New value: UrbanJoke V1
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 17:48

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Battery charge level
Old value: OFF
New value: ON
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 17:47

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: Heated seats memory
Old value: Original
New value: ON
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 17:40

---------------------------------------------------------------
App
Name: DRL with Fog Lights
Old value: OFF
New value: ON
Mileage: 44698 km
Date: 2021-09-10 17:29

[dv52 (Australia)]

OK - first there is an error here:

Adaptation
Control unit: 09 Central Electrics
Name: Leuchte3SL VRB21
Values:
Lichtfunktion G 3:
Old value: nicht aktiv
New value: Nebellicht links

It should be - new value: Nebellicht rechts

But this doesn't completely explain your reported observations. I've applied my suggestions and your remaining Leuchte-set values to my test bench (see below) and it works as proposed - but my "virtual mk7" has a RoW base (it's not NAR).

I suspect (guess really) that the lighting rules in your country might be implicated in this problem, It's called "NAR restrictions" - look it up

Don

[specgti]

Hi Don,

I followed your previous post from 2020 about how to activate ece lighting. Copied below if anyone is following along with this thread.

"Remove NAR Restrictions

55 – Headlight Regulation – Coding
Select: market
Change to: ece (Default = nar)

If the car has Advanced Front Lighting System
Select: City light (enable AFS patterns)
Change to: enabled (Default = not enabled)
Select: rain_light
Change to : enabled (Default = not enabled)

If the car has All weather lights, or Fog lights
Select: all_weather_light
Change to : enabled ( Default = not enabled)

After making the changes above - it will be necessary to re-establish the starting parameters for the horizontal beam angle in the hex55 module. This is a 2 x process procedure

Make sure the car is settled on its suspension and on a horizontal, level surface

55 – Headlight Regulation – Basic Settings
Select: Basic headlamp setting -run and acknowledge

55 – Headlight Regulation – Basic Settings
Select: Acknowledge basic setting-run and acknowledge

Clear any errors on the scan report"

With your changes I was able to get full strength drl when fogs are engaged but this also functions this way in auto mode and low beam mode. Unfortunately this is a deal breaker for me, as I wanted to retain drl dim with fog lights and low beams. I reverted to stock and quite enjoy the "ece" headlamp settings.

[tristanr]

Hello

I have a 2017 NAR GTI that was factory equipped with halogen headlights. The car now has helix facelift style headlights. When turning on Fog Lights, the LED Drl’s become more dim. Is it possible to allow the headlight to function as follows?:

DRL’s on max brightness at all times except when low beam is switched (as to allow drl’s to be more dim at night)
I have not found much info on this since the car was not a lighting package equipped.

Highly Appreciate any help!

[dv52 (Australia)]

Tristan: Hi.

I'm not sure what is possible with non-OEM equipment - because it's non-OEM!!

Anyhow, if you want help - post-up screenshots of Leuchte4TFL LB4 so I can see how this car i coded. To be clear, I need to see ALL 19 x adaptation channels for the Leuchte-set in your pictures

Don

[tristanr]

Leuchte4TFL LB4
Lasttyp 4
9 - allgemeine Glühlampe 27W, auch H15

Lampendefektbitposition 4
48

Fehlerort mittleres Byte DTC-DFCC 4
43

Lichtfunktion A 4
Tagfahrlicht

Lichtfunktion B 4
Nicht aktiv

Dimmwert AB 4
100

Lichtansteuerung HD AB 4
Always

Lichtfunktion C 4
Blinken links aktiv (beide Phasen)
Lichtfunktion D 4
Nicht aktiv

Dimmwert CD 4
0
Dimming Direction CD 4
Minimize

Lichtfunktion E 4
Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht

Licthfunkfion F4
Nicht aktiv

Dimmert EF4
31

Dimming Direction EF4
Maximize

Lichtfunktion G4
Nicht aktiv

Lichtfuktion H4
Nicht aktiv

Dimmest GH4
0

Dimming Direction GH4
Maximize

[dv52 (Australia)]

hmm........ the values in your Leuchte-set are Standard factory settings for a car that was built with halogen style DRLs. So, if the LED DRLs in the non-OEM Helix fittings were designed to operate on cars with the factory halogen set-up, then they should be OK.

I'm not sure if you are aware, but the front fog-lights are totally independent of the lamps in the headlight fittings on MQB platform cars. The ONLY thing that the two share is the controlling module (i.e. the centra1 electrics module). Your Leuchte-set contains NO programming that involves the fog-light function. So it's unlikely that this problem is caused by a coding issue.

I'm totally guessing, but I wonder if the dimming behavior of the DRLs when the fog-lights are switched-ON is caused by "VD" (Volt Drop - not the STD)? Again this is a total hunch - but maybe the DRLs dim because the car's rail voltage falls as a result of the extra load on the battery! Halogen fog lights use 55Watt lamps in each fitting which means a total battery load of 110Watts, or about 9 Amps . Does the same behavior happen when the air-compressor switches-ON?

Maybe re-examine the quality of the wiring loom and the pin connectors on the Helix headlights and on the factory headlight connectors. Pay particular attention to the headlight earth points (once more- I'm guessing)

Don

[tristanr]

I believe there may be some confusion. I’m almost certain all is functioning as expected from a hardware perspective because the same predictable dimming occurs when the low beams are turned on. This is a GTI with LED front fog lights, not the halogen that came on some models of Golf here in the States. Though, even with LED fogs unplugged, the behavior can be replicated by turning on fog light via the light switch, so i don’t think it could be voltage drop.

I was hoping to change the behavior so that the DRL’s remain at full brightness even when fog light is in the ON position because i like to use the fog lights during the day for aesthetic reasons.

Since i have a euro switch, i am able to use my fog lights without low beams. During the day, I switch the headlights to parking light position and the DRL’s light up brightly.. if i then pull the fog light switch into ON position, the front DRL/parking lights lower in brightness which makes them harder to see in the daylight. It seems like a nighttime vs daytime brightness setting because activating the fog lights also activates the backlight on the gauge cluster.

[dv52 (Australia)]

tristan: hmm.....yes indeed - there certainly is "some confusion"!!! 

Look at your Leuchte-set values that you previously posted and I will explain how the DRLs on this "Yankee" car are currently programmed

Based on your Leuchte-set (which applies to the left-side DRL lamp), the following happens for the 8 x Lichtfunktion channels

1. Lichtfunktion A = Tagfahrlicht = Daytime Running light
   • Illumination level =100%
     
   
   
2. Lichtfunktion C =Blinken links aktiv (beide Phasen)= DRL wink (the DRL lamp turns-OFF on the car-side that has an active turn-signal during daylight)
   • Illumination level =0%
     
   
   
3. Lichtfunktion E =Standlicht allgemein (Schlusslicht, Positionslicht, Begrenzungslicht= Parking Light
   • Illumination level =31%
   
   
4. ALL remaining Lichtfunction channels = Nicht aktiv =Not active
   
   
   

So, the DRL lamps currently operate with the 3 lighting functions stated above. Therefore, if you operate the fog-lights during daylight by first turning the rotary light switch to the position, you will activate Parking Light Leuchte-command (i.e. Lichtfunktion E) - which will dim the DRL lamps to 31%. The dimmed DRLs in this switch position will happen regardless of the status of the fog-lights!!!

OK, confusion over!! 

If you want to continue the practice of using the fog-lights during daytime, I could make significant changes to the DRL Leuchte-sets - this means that you would need to keep using the position during daytime. 

However, the far simpler option is to retain the normal daytime operating position on the rotary light switch and to add the DRL function to the fog-lights. This saves you having to switch to the  position! With my suggestion, you would also be able to switch ON/OFF the fog-lights  during night-time (at will) in the normal manner.

If you agree, post-up the current values for one of the fog-light Leuchte-sets (Leuchte12NL LB45). Again, I need to see ALL 19 x channels

Don