Coming Home & Leaving Home Lights Enabled

You're right Marc. The sensor in the rear view mirror support triggers the auto lights and the CH/LH lights. You can trick it into thinking it's night by putting your hand over it. I tried covering the two sensors in the centre of the dash but this had no effect.
 
Oh and the CH/LH lights don't work when it's light, only when it's dark. (or you put your had over the sensor!)
 
John, do you mean one of the small sensors on either the front or rear of the mirror itself, or the round sensor that's in the middle of the mirror mounting fixed to the windscreen (you'll have put your hand on the outside of the windscreen to cover this one).

Cheers
 
boggym said:
John, do you mean one of the small sensors on either the front or rear of the mirror itself, or the round sensor that's in the middle of the mirror mounting fixed to the windscreen (you'll have put your hand on the outside of the windscreen to cover this one).

Cheers
Click to expand...

Sorry, it wasn't too clear. It's the latter, I used my palm to cover it.
 
Brilliant, thanks John.

I only asked because the wiring is in separate looms to either the rear view mirror or the rain/light sensor in the mounting. Now I know the sensor attached to the windscreen controls the auto lights as well as the auto wipers, I can start from there.

Cheers again, I'll keep you informed.
 
boggym said:
My thoughts so far were that the rain/light sensor, attached to the windscreen, controlled the auto wipers (confirmed) but also "told" the auto lights and CH/LH functions whether it was light or not. However, if there are various sensors around the car, this may not be the case. Working it out has also been stumped by the fault codes I keep getting. Once I've checked my wiring I might be able to answer a few questions.

Wow, I've got a headache!

JohnS3, If you could confirm which sensor does what, that'll be a big help.
Click to expand...
Yes, it would appear that if you spec auto lights and wipers along with the coming home\leaving home option that the rain\light sensor handles everything, whereas if you only specify the ch\lh lights (or maybe the auto lights without the auto dimming mirror and\or rain sensor) you get the sun sensor in the dash. There is also a blanker cap available instead of the sun sensor so presumably if you have the rain sensor or didn't spec CH\LH then you will get the blanker cap.

JohnS3 said:
You're right Marc. The sensor in the rear view mirror support triggers the auto lights and the CH/LH lights. You can trick it into thinking it's night by putting your hand over it. I tried covering the two sensors in the centre of the dash but this had no effect.
Click to expand...

As above, since you have the rain\light sensor the left hand "sensor" on the dash will be a blanker.

JohnS3 said:
Oh and the CH/LH lights don't work when it's light, only when it's dark. (or you put your had over the sensor!)
Click to expand...

I got confused above - the CH\LH will only work in the dark, but the switch needs to be set to Auto for the CH to work. The LH will work (when dark) regardless of the position of the lights.

I suspect that the fault is something to do with the wiring in the rain\light sensor on the windscreen.
 
Great stuff Marc, we've kinda gone full circle but at least a few things have been confirmed/ruled out along the way. It's looks as if its definitely the rain/light sensor behind the rear view mirror, or the wiring, thats causing my fault codes. If I can get that right, hopefully it'll be cracked I'll be able to offer some more advice on the whole install.

Any thoughts on a light sensor or on/off switch for your CH/LH install?
 
MarcQuinlivan said:
I got confused above - the CH\LH will only work in the dark, but the switch needs to be set to Auto for the CH to work. The LH will work (when dark) regardless of the position of the lights.
Click to expand...

Good point. I did my tests with the light switch in the Auto position. Would you like me to do the same again with the light switch in the Off position?
 
boggym said:
Any thoughts on a light sensor or on/off switch for your CH/LH install?
Click to expand...
nah, I'm happy enough with the setup I have - CH\LH regardless of daylight levels and scandinavian DRLs so my lights are always on.

I may look at getting the chromed light switch at some point and pass the earth through it for the CH\LH, but I have no plans to set up the auto lights, auto wipers or auto dimming rear view mirror.

I have other mods I'd rather spend the money on than those ones that I would get minimal use from.
 
Wow, more confusion. So do the CH and LH functions work independently from each other? I thought that regardless of whether the light switch is in the Auto position or Off, providing the CH/LH button is on and its dark, both the CH/LH lights will activate. The way I'm reading it now is that providing it's dark, the LH lights will function regardless of the light switch position but the CH lights need the light switch to be in the Auto position, or am I going mad!

John, would you mind checking whether both the CH and LH light functions work with the light switch in both positions (Auto and Off).

Good knows the neighbours are thinking!!
 
MarcQuinlivan said:
I have other mods I'd rather spend the money on than those ones that I would get minimal use from.
Click to expand...

TBH, I don't think I'd do it all again. The main reason I started the install was that I wanted the auto-dimming rear view mirror. After sourcing one, I found out I needed a new windscreen with the proper mount to fit! No one, not even Vagparts, could find the mirror fixing that's stuck to the windscreen. Apparently it comes fixed to the windscreen from the factory only. So the auto-dimming mirror sat on the shelf for while. I was having having the windows tinted and got talking to the guys there and they sourced a new windscreen with the correct fixing and a sunband, so I changed it (under an insurance claim). From there, I thought I'd just as well go the whole hog. It's been quite expensive, but you know what it's like, if you like pulling cars apart and challenges, it's a bit of fun. I'm just hoping to get to the bottom of it soon.
 
Does anyone have an answer why its not working on my car by any chance?
 
RobinA3 said:
Does anyone have an answer why its not working on my car by any chance?
Click to expand...

It did go off topic for while didn't it! Sorry Robin.

When I get chance to rip apart what I've done already, I'll be able to determine what wire does what, hopefully!! Then I might be able to shed some light on the problem. There are a couple of other wiring diagrams I'm looking into that might have a reason also.
 
audi upgrades
boggym said:
I bought the TT headlight switch with CH/LH functions and auto lights and the chrome edges to go on my S3 8P a while ago. Part number 8J2941531E-5PR from Vag Parts for £41.55 + vat and postage. It's exactly the same as the A3 one but with the shiny bits. There are a few variations.
Click to expand...

Just to confirm the switch you have has the following
Xenon
Auto lights
CH/LH
DRL

I need to order a new switch as I am installing OEM xenons, I already have auto lights, CH/LH but am adding xenons which obviously have the DRL which I need the switch for.


I had a headache before reading the last 24hours posts on this thread it even worse now, lol
Luckily I dont need to install the CH/LH wires etc. Just need to find time to install my xenons and the wiring adapter from Kufatec
 
Yeah, dunno what happened there. It did get a bit heavy. I've surprised myself that it kind of makes sense. A thread starting as a simple £1 mod has turned into right headache!!

Yep, the switch I've got is for Zenon's, DRL's, Auto lights and CH/LH.
 
boggym said:
John, would you mind checking whether both the CH and LH light functions work with the light switch in both positions (Auto and Off).

Good knows the neighbours are thinking!!
Click to expand...

OK, the CH/LH lights work when the light switch is in any position, be that On, Auto or Off. But only when it's dark.

I did the last tests in the garage so the neighbours couldn't see me!!
 
This is getting more and more surreal.

The S3 I had out last weekend would only enable one of them when set to auto and the other at all times (when dark outside). Can't remember which was which, but probably coming home on auto and leaving home at all times.

The reason I know this is because when I was testing it out it wouldn't work and then when I set the lights to auto it did work.
 
Cheers guy's.

Gonna do some investigation on my wiring ASAP and then hopefully, I'll be able to help a bit more. Hopefully it might shed some light as to why the CH/LH works on some and not others!
 
Just another update on how the lights work....

I assumed the CH lights came on when the key was removed from the ignition, however I was parked yesterday facing a large glass window on the front of a shop and noticed that the lights only come on when the driver's door was opened. They then stay on until the timeout expires. The LH lights turn on when the car is unlocked and go out when the driver's door is opened.

It would appear that the light on\off signal is tied to the driver's door opening.

Robin, I know you've installed the footwell\puddle lights. Have the other guys who can't get it to work also installed the footwell\puddle lights, and have the guys who can get it to work got the footwell\puddle lights installed.
 
Thins you mean Robin?

So can I confirm that Mitch and Marc you both have factory fit interior light pack and your one wire to earth and vag.com coding makes the CH/LH function work?

And also those who it doesn't work for do not have ILP factory fit?

EDIT: Thickens Robin, you were right
 
MarcQuinlivan said:
Just another update on how the lights work....

I assumed the CH lights came on when the key was removed from the ignition, however I was parked yesterday facing a large glass window on the front of a shop and noticed that the lights only come on when the driver's door was opened. They then stay on until the timeout expires. The LH lights turn on when the car is unlocked and go out when the driver's door is opened.

It would appear that the light on\off signal is tied to the driver's door opening.
Click to expand...

That's what happens for me too.
 
Right

I have had another go at this as it did work last time (see ealier in thread) and guess what ... IT ACTUALLY WORKS !!!

For those having trouble try do this - this is what I did to mine this time.
1) Code Vagcom to enable CH/LH lights
2) Undo the dash panel
3) Locate Plug E and remove.
4) Find a scrap bit of wire approx 1.5 mm in diameter (no connector) and about 1 foot in length. Then bare aprrox 7-8mm of the copper. (If you have the correct cable 979 009 then use this instead of wire scrap.)
5) Push this into pin 12 so that it reaches the socket point. You may need to bend over end to make it thick enough not to drop out.
6) Replace Plug E
7) Bare the other end of wire (any length will do)
8) Touch this bare end to an earth point for roughly a second and remove (headlights should light)
9) Close driver door and lock
10) Unlock car - headlights should light - opening the door will then cancel them.
11) Try putting key in ignition and switch on then off with door open. Remove key and headlights will light.
12) Set times in Vag com on Channel 1 and 2 to desired length.
13) Remove scrap cable from plug E with a little tug, or if proper cable used, insulate the bare end and tuck under dash somewhere.
14) Replace Dash panel

I am going to invest in the proper repair wire now, and buy a cheap toggle switch so that I can activate and deactivate them properly. However for mean time I have just set them to a short timer.

Any problems, let me know
 
chill14 said:
I have had another go at this as it did work last time (see ealier in thread) and guess what ... IT ACTUALLY WORKS !!!
Click to expand...

Your lack of faith concerns me deeply!! As does your surprise that doing what I said worked!

Looks as if you've done it as described. Have you got xenons, auto lights, puddle lights, auto wipers, interior light pack? A no to all those means you have the same setup as me. A yes to any one of them means you have something different and the other lads can compare what you have to what they have and see what is the same\different.
 
MarcQuinlivan said:
Your lack of faith concerns me deeply!! As does your surprise that doing what I said worked!

Looks as if you've done it as described. Have you got xenons, auto lights, puddle lights, auto wipers, interior light pack? A no to all those means you have the same setup as me. A yes to any one of them means you have something different and the other lads can compare what you have to what they have and see what is the same\different.
Click to expand...

Marc

Nothing meant personal at you or the other guys at all. Apologies if it reads that way.

Its just that I spent so long playing about with it the first time following your guide on Audi Retrofit, I'd sort of given up. It was only that I had a spare 5 minutes earlier today that I tried again and it worked this time.

It was a 'no' to all the above items until last weekend. I then installed Footwell and Puddle lights from RobinA3's kits.

Not a dig or anything, but the only thing that is different from my 'activation' list to your guide, is that I have removed the earth wire completely now and they still work. Where your guide states yours its still there. Not sure if this is why it has suddenly decided to work ot not.

When I did it the first time, I did find that leaving the earth there did do something strange to the lighting circuit. When you changed from headlights to side lights on the light switch, the dipped headlights didn't go off straight away where as normally they do. Whether this was just coincidence I don't know, but after I removed the 'fixed' earth they were fine again. From looking at the wiring diagram on ElsaWin I cannot see why it would have done it though.
 
I'll have to give this another bash this weekend, need to suss it out as its driving me insane!

sad i know!
 
chill14 said:
Marc

Nothing meant personal at you or the other guys at all. Apologies if it reads that way.

Its just that I spent so long playing about with it the first time following your guide on Audi Retrofit, I'd sort of given up. It was only that I had a spare 5 minutes earlier today that I tried again and it worked this time.

It was a 'no' to all the above items until last weekend. I then installed Footwell and Puddle lights from RobinA3's kits.

Not a dig or anything, but the only thing that is different from my 'activation' list to your guide, is that I have removed the earth wire completely now and they still work. Where your guide states yours its still there. Not sure if this is why it has suddenly decided to work ot not.

When I did it the first time, I did find that leaving the earth there did do something strange to the lighting circuit. When you changed from headlights to side lights on the light switch, the dipped headlights didn't go off straight away where as normally they do. Whether this was just coincidence I don't know, but after I removed the 'fixed' earth they were fine again. From looking at the wiring diagram on ElsaWin I cannot see why it would have done it though.
Click to expand...

Nah I wasn't offended - seems my star wars paraphrasing didn't go down too well! Not to worry...

It is strange that disconnecting the earth altogether leaves it working. On my own car there is no delay when the light switch is moved from headlight to dip.

Interesting that you say that it appears to be working after you installed the footwell lighting. What model year is your car? I know somebody posted in the footwell lighting thread that the pins for it had changed on the MY08 models. If yours is MY08 then perhaps the same applies here.

I was going to suggest that there was a link between the footwell lighting and the CH\LH function, but I don't have footwell lights.

Have you tried leaving your cable connected to the earth permanently to see what happens?
 
I thought the wiring for the footwell lights didn't changed for the 08MY but the puddle lights and warning lights did for the door control unit.
 
Sorry, it went completely over my head and I thought I'd offended you.

Mine is a 2005 model (June 05 registered). I did leave the earth in place the first time I tried, when the car didn't want to know. Just the delay on the lights occured.

I'm going to put a push switch in at some point soon, to give some control over them so I'll try again then with fixed earth, and let you know.
 
No worries... managed to find the quote (for those of you who are interested!)

General Tagge: What of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a complete technical reading of this station, it is possible, however unlikely, they might find a weakness and exploit it.
Darth Vader: The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.
Admiral Motti: Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they have obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it.
Darth Vader: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.
Admiral Motti: Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerous ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the rebels' hidden fortress...
[Vader makes a pinching motion and Motti starts choking]
Darth Vader: I find your lack of faith disturbing.
Click to expand...

[ytv]3MaJy7LH5js[/ytv]
 
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