Set DRLs with VAG-COM?

The rules which apply for DRL / TFL state clearly the beam pattern, distances and brightness required. Following the rules (and I suspect very, very strongly that these will also be applied far more stringently in the UK in the near future):

No, everything is just as I have described ..... no difference in routing or method! Using the correct "DFL" pin nmeans that operation is correct and legal .... i.e., the DRL's go off when normal lighting is switched on! You have a lot of work ahead, but just be patient! What are your DRL's and where are you going to locate them? The very best position is INSIDE the headlights ... however, since ~ 2001, the headlights are sealed (although I recon that I might be able to devise a way to split them and reseal!) Earlier headlights were splitable and held together with steel c-clips ...
Illegal. You are altering a system which has an E-Mark in its present form and *only* in that form. The light source requirements are the first step towards enforcing this; it was certified in a particular way and only that is certified. For us it would mean no insurance cover if an accident occurred where the lights could be blamed (and since they're on all the time here...).


If I were to go down the DRL route (not for me, not legally required for older cars and I'm technically incompetent!) I'd pop some of these LED bulbs into my foglights and see what they look like. And then wire the foglight to the TFL fandango on the switch (or however its done). Hardly ever use foglights nowadays and they're pretty irrelevant with modern headlights.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/120-SMD-Hea...MOGM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1339844844&sr=8-9

Might be a bit bright but just a thought.:cool:
SMDs are also not E-marked and the light source type is clearly marked on all vehicle parts. If it's not on there, you can be pulled up for it. I don't know the code for LED, I haven't looked at an LED headlight close up yet.
The Fog beam is also completely wrong and illegal.

I have done DRL's on mine.

All I did was wire the existing fog lights to the switched plus from the ignition, so they come on when the ignition is on etc etc, removed the fogs and put Ring Arora 5x1watt LED lights into the lower grill.

Then what I did, using a relay connected to the original fog terminals on the light switch and also the headlight feed I wired it up so they go off when the headlights are on and then also when the fog switch is pulled they can come on as fog lights

John
Which is sort-of OK, but not really...because they're not OK'd for use as fog lights. I dare say the beam isn't too bad in fog and I see this as being a lesser evil. I know foglights are "tolerated" as DRLs here, but they're still frowned upon because of the beam pattern. I suspect it would actually pass the DRL test but because it's not certified, it's not OK.

- Bret.
 
Bret

My setup is perfectly fine. I have located them at correct separation distances and heights etc. So as a DRL my system is completely legal.

I have never really used them as fog lights to be honest but they have a direct beam, doesnt really spread out much. And in fog, who is gonna know how beams are supposed to be. The fog disperses light big time and you dont really get a beam pattern as such.

Also Bret, my DRL's are E marked and clearly shown on the glass lens

John
 
Here is a pic of my setup

SL732187.jpg


John
 
No, everything is just as I have described ..... no difference in routing or method! Using the correct "DFL" pin nmeans that operation is correct and legal .... i.e., the DRL's go off when normal lighting is switched on! You have a lot of work ahead, but just be patient! What are your DRL's and where are you going to locate them? The very best position is INSIDE the headlights ... however, since ~ 2001, the headlights are sealed (although I recon that I might be able to devise a way to split them and reseal!) Earlier headlights were splitable and held together with steel c-clips ...


i have bought these ones:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-3-LED...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43af0ed14c
and yes i will fit them inside the headlight as my A2 is 2000 so i can take the lens off easy.
i will post pictures as soon as i fit them.
 
John, If you look back a few posts, you will see that I've told him exactly how to do this and what is involved?
 
I thought that I would bring this thread to life, since I have one new question: when you bridge the desired lights to TFL does the electricity go directly to desired lights or first through CCU? I would like to install install resistor on the cable for using low beams as DRL, so that the luminosity would be at cca. 60% of normal luminosity. So, if the wire goes directly to the lights, that should not be a problem, but if it would go through CCU, that could lead to some problems.

BTW: on LHD cars the following PINs must be connected to TFL if you would like to use them as DRL:
58L - left rear light
58R - right rear light
56+ - low beams
NL - fog lights
 
I thought that I would bring this thread to life, since I have one new question: when you bridge the desired lights to TFL does the electricity go directly to desired lights or first through CCU? I would like to install install resistor on the cable for using low beams as DRL, so that the luminosity would be at cca. 60% of normal luminosity. So, if the wire goes directly to the lights, that should not be a problem, but if it would go through CCU, that could lead to some problems.

BTW: on LHD cars the following PINs must be connected to TFL if you would like to use them as DRL:
58L - left rear light
58R - right rear light
56+ - low beams
NL - fog lights
I wired my LED sidelights to be DRL on Uma, went straight from the TFL pin to the bulb, although I did need a diode in the circuit otherwise the bulb warning would light. It worked well though, never had any problems with that setup.
 
Thx for your feedback, but your situation is a little different.
I would like to use the current wires and just rewire the low beams PIN to TFL PIN and in the middle I would put a resistor to lower the luminosity. So it would go through factory wires and this is why I would need if they go directly to lights or through CCU.
 
WHY? Either fit separate DRLs wired correctly or use your headlights normally. How would your headlights then work and at what brightness? DRL are only on the front of a car.
 
I would set them at cca. 60% of luminosity through DRL PIN which is more than enough for DRL ;). As low beams they would of course remain at 100% through low beam PIN.
 
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Again why? Just keep it simple and fit separate DRLs and not worry about modifying the headlights and the other lights.
 
I will not be modifying anything that was not already from factory done and engineered. If this is not possible, I will just connect low beam PIN to TFL PIN and have low beams at 100% for DRL.
I would like to keep the car as stock as possible, so I am not keen on adding any additional lights, which in our country also require additional technical inspection.
 
Thx for your feedback, but your situation is a little different.
I would like to use the current wires and just rewire the low beams PIN to TFL PIN and in the middle I would put a resistor to lower the luminosity. So it would go through factory wires and this is why I would need if they go directly to lights or through CCU.
It's not too different, it can be wired the same, by taking a wire from the TFL pin and connecting to the appropriate wire, with a diode on the low beam wire, you will have yourself a set of DRLs. I would avoid the CCU.
 
It's not too different, it can be wired the same, by taking a wire from the TFL pin and connecting to the appropriate wire, with a diode on the low beam wire, you will have yourself a set of DRLs. I would avoid the CCU.
I would also like to avoid CCU, so this is why I would like to know, how the wiring is done ;).
Though, you have a point. I could wire the wires directly to the low beam + in the headlamps with a diode in between. Well that is an option if the lights wiring is done through CCU.
 
In newer cars the light switch is usually connected to the BCM and BCM than controls the lights. This is why I rather ask than do some possibly expensive damage ;).
 
Still do not think the headlights or any external lights are controlled by the cccu. Just wire from the back of the switch provided the TFL pin is present and connected using a diode as @Kleynie has described above.
 
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I would also like to avoid CCU, so this is why I would like to know, how the wiring is done ;).
Though, you have a point. I could wire the wires directly to the low beam + in the headlamps with a diode in between. Well that is an option if the lights wiring is done through CCU.
I think that is the easiest way to do it to be honest. Worth noting as well, that the TFL pin does already have a different output to the others due to DRL laws, so you will want to consider that when wiring in a resistor.
 
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