Auto headlight conversion with coming home/ leaving home lights

Hello Again,

So here’s the pictures of the assembly with the switch removed:

64CDD4D3-F26E-4399-8EFA-688801A29A1E.jpeg


8EEB250C-2C53-4B36-B1D3-9E005AA13E37.jpeg


The light sensor diodes look pretty straightforward. Here’s the switches underside:

6677E23B-CA86-4053-B2B0-AD66F3C33299.jpeg


Looking from one side you’ll notice the thin plastic strip that keeps the switch onto its housing:

93D0064E-7325-4933-9542-94D0A5BE19BE.jpeg


Now look at the other side:

531471B2-F55D-467F-B2DD-0732B5C7D5A8.jpeg


You’ll notice the the same thin strip is missing. Unbeknown to me I have obviously damaged it when trying to separate the two parts.

It holds on perfectly with just the one side though. If I was going for a permanent fitting then a blob of silicon would hold it nicely whilst be able to eventually pull it apart again in the future.

There are a few issues with this item in the A2 though. Firstly is that once it’s together you’re unable to remove it from the dashboard as there is no room to push the switch in from the Off position to the Auto position to release the barbs that hold it in place.

Secondly and more worrying is the LEDs within the switch itself. Picture paints a thousand word:

Off position illuminates the LED indications
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Auto position illuminations are also incorrect (there is no change to the below illuminations when I cover the switch to cause it to be dark enough for it to activate the lights)
9AFE514D-E08D-4F1B-8B17-F8A780D3D025.jpeg


The Sidelights position is as per above
AAE1D08C-AD16-4F6E-AC3E-EA061866D970.jpeg


More to follow on the next post as I’ve run out of tmroom for further pictures.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Continuing…

The Dipped lights illuminations are also incorrect as per the above post
53E17323-6B83-48D6-92E8-85A4E3D4BB5F.jpeg


First pull of the switch is yet again incorrect (it actually turns the LED off)
F391984B-6D9B-4A92-9973-4ADA1AF79BD5.jpeg


The second lull of the switch is… Yes you guessed it; incorrect
22E014C3-2749-496F-8921-A1FF968DB411.jpeg


It’s a shame as the switch looks quite nice actually, certainly with the other chrome look items in vicinity:

70DBD1DA-79CF-4094-9B45-B3F81D02EE98.jpeg


The existing depth issue resides with this switch and the only way to combat this is to of course cut the factory fascia to insert the new Auto icon ring that comes with the switch.

In conclusion; with the inability to correctly remove the switch the conventional way of pushing in at the Off and twisting to Auto position along with the LED illuminations being incorrect makes me feel that this isn’t the switch to go for. It’ll probably cause your A2 to fail an MOT due to the incorrect illuminations and you’ll no doubt damage your dashboard trying to remove it.

It was worth a try though as the built-in light sensors work perfectly. I’ll be going back to the Bluetooth version I removed as it has the correct illuminations and can be withdrawn from the vehicle correctly.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Thanks for your investigative work on this Tom. I did suspect the knob could be removed. Such a pity as it initially looked like a good replacement for the wired sensor switches. Perhaps the company will change things on this switch but it would be trial and error if the "faults" were rectified.
 
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No problems Graham,

You know me, I like to help out where I can.

If the incorrect LED-Tells could be corrected then it’s still a decent switch for members who would be looking to cut the fascia to insert the new Auto-icon ring as it could still be removed easily. A bit more difficult for members like me who use the original fascia which has been refurbished to have the Auto-icon added. I could employ my trusty friend I suppose, so all is not lost.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Excellent Tom

Thanks
Steve B
Hello Steve,

Hope all is well Sir. As above, I like to help out where I can.

Didn’t turn out the way I had hoped but it was a nice experiment; I’ve wasted a lot more on other ventures. Just put these things down to experience don’t we.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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