Best place to source new style Sportback rear lights?
- Thread starter maars
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there's a german eBay seller called tuning fanatics shop. try there. the sportback lights aren't LHD or RHD specific.
alternatively try TPS
alternatively try TPS
maars
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They're coming out around £200 via ebay.de.
I was hoping there might be a replacement for VagParts?
And they're pretty straightforward to fit - having had to take one of my lights off over the weekend to change a bulb. Putting the outer cluster back requires some unwanted brute force to get the clips to seat properly.
I was hoping there might be a replacement for VagParts?
And they're pretty straightforward to fit - having had to take one of my lights off over the weekend to change a bulb. Putting the outer cluster back requires some unwanted brute force to get the clips to seat properly.
They are not plug and play fellas.
You will need coding changes and also rewiring or a new adapter harness.
Can any expand on the "coding" changes in VAGCOM with the new style rear lights? I've read a few threads on this and other forums about "you then need to code it in VAGCOM" but what do you have to change from and to? 
To answer my own question, the coding is;
Byte 9 to Dec = 0 - as the final brake light
Byte 10 to Dec = 0 - fog lamp as a taillight
Byte 12 to Dec = 36 - dimming rear stand light (the figure 36 seems to be from a range of 22 to 100 for brightness)
Byte 19 Bit to cold diagnosis rear active - this must be activated (usually already activated)
One further question, on the US forums their Sportback's have 6 brake light bulbs light up (the two in the outer lamps and the 1 (also a fog light) in the inner tailgate lamps, I think this looks better but I think even 09 UK Sportbacks only hae the outer 2 brake light bulbs light up under braking. Is this something that can be changed via VAGCOM so all 6 bulbs lights up??
Byte 9 to Dec = 0 - as the final brake light
Byte 10 to Dec = 0 - fog lamp as a taillight
Byte 12 to Dec = 36 - dimming rear stand light (the figure 36 seems to be from a range of 22 to 100 for brightness)
Byte 19 Bit to cold diagnosis rear active - this must be activated (usually already activated)
One further question, on the US forums their Sportback's have 6 brake light bulbs light up (the two in the outer lamps and the 1 (also a fog light) in the inner tailgate lamps, I think this looks better but I think even 09 UK Sportbacks only hae the outer 2 brake light bulbs light up under braking. Is this something that can be changed via VAGCOM so all 6 bulbs lights up??
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everything lights up in 2009+ models including the amber when braking. needed to rearrange the wiring from facelift to nonfacelift to make it work
No its not a vagcom setting, requires wiring.
TCardio, expand on your post please cause afaik amber doesnt light up on braking that I've seen unless you mean they flash with hard braking.
TCardio, expand on your post please cause afaik amber doesnt light up on braking that I've seen unless you mean they flash with hard braking.
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You can make the fog lights on the boot lid to light when you break, using the vag-com. I did this on my car but I didn't like it. Too bright. I have DSG gearbox and at stops, when I keep the break pedal pressed, the one behind me is blinded.
How do you do that (so all 6 lights light up) in VAGCOM? (I've looked and tried changing a few settings but nothing changed).
Is it a LHD vs RHD issue?
Any more VAGCOM tips gratefully recieved! (Johnny Bravo helpfully gave me the original tail light coding in my second post)
Is it a LHD vs RHD issue?
Any more VAGCOM tips gratefully recieved! (Johnny Bravo helpfully gave me the original tail light coding in my second post)
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Yes. All 6 o them. I'll take a look an come back with the answer. I do not remember right now where exactly is the option. Anyway, you only have to check a box.
I don't think it has something to do with LHD and RHD since the lights will work on both sides.
I don't think it has something to do with LHD and RHD since the lights will work on both sides.
Ok thanks to both of you! Will check this tonight although I seem to remember going through the whole module looking for something that might do it - "rear fog as brake light" sounds rather obvious but I must have missed this!
Basically all "6" brakelight bulbs light up (3 perside, one in inner lamp and two in the outer lamps). When you have the fog lights on the inner brake lights become "inactive" because the fogs are already on.
They do look very bright but I think it's a combination of 6 25w bulbs coming on but also the new style tail lights are just more reflective I think so just perform better. The bulbs are still standard 25w filament bulbs. It looks better with all 6 brake lights as it fills the tail lights fully (as in the photo further back in the thread) like on the new a4/a5s.
They do look very bright but I think it's a combination of 6 25w bulbs coming on but also the new style tail lights are just more reflective I think so just perform better. The bulbs are still standard 25w filament bulbs. It looks better with all 6 brake lights as it fills the tail lights fully (as in the photo further back in the thread) like on the new a4/a5s.
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Too bright in my opinion. I wouldn't like to be behind someone at a stop who has this thing done.
Tail and brake lights are getting brighter these days (despite using same traditional bulbs in this case), probably in the interests of "safety". However those with autos who use footbrakes at lights etc it's a bit of a problem, but always has been!
I like the brake lights filling up the tail light rings completely much like the A4/A5 LED tail lights do.
I like the brake lights filling up the tail light rings completely much like the A4/A5 LED tail lights do.
