Audi A3 8V PF to FL Matrix LED

MrShiny

MrShiny

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Hi guys,

Ive just recently bought a Audi A3 1.6 8V PFL and im doing a full S3 conversion on it, most parts are bought apart from the dynamic tail lights and alloys. The car is currently in the bodyshop getting painted.

My question here is... I have bought the FL Matrix LED headlights but im struggling with the wiring, has anyone done this before that can point me in the right direction?

Much appreciated
 
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Sparks43 said:
I'm sure he will but I'm also fairly sure I've this on here before and it's not just coding that's required
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Ive searched for everything i can think of, i can only find the PFL led conversion not the FL Matrix LED conversion. The coding shouldn’t be hard as i have access to a VCDS. Its the wiring, my original headlights are 10 pins and the matrix led are 14 pins, i need to figure out the wiring
 
MrShiny said:
Ive searched for everything i can think of, i can only find the PFL led conversion not the FL Matrix LED conversion. The coding shouldn’t be hard as i have access to a VCDS. Its the wiring, my original headlights are 10 pins and the matrix led are 14 pins, i need to figure out the wiring
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Make an account on erwin.audi.com and buy the 1 hour or longer view rights. Then you can find the schematics for matrix.

Remember, its not only coding but also parameters AND you need to calibrate the headlights at the dealership (requires special bords and sequences)

A3 8V Facelift Limousine
 
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but how far are you going with this conversion? S3's 2.0 petrol engine and everything or overhauling the exterior to the same as an S3. Just curious as I, too, am a 1.6 owner
 
RJ-8V said:
Make an account on erwin.audi.com and buy the 1 hour or longer view rights. Then you can find the schematics for matrix.

Remember, its not only coding but also parameters AND you need to calibrate the headlights at the dealership (requires special bords and sequences)

A3 8V Facelift Limousine
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Just downloaded all the wiring for the PFL and the FL so hopefully i should be able to get this done as soon as my cars out of the bodyshop.

Invicta said:
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but how far are you going with this conversion? S3's 2.0 petrol engine and everything or overhauling the exterior to the same as an S3. Just curious as I, too, am a 1.6 owner
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Just the exterior, no point in changing the engine as its not as simple as that, someone might correct me if im wrong but i dont think itll be possible to put an s3 enging in the 1.6 as the gear box etc wont be a straight swap. Youll be better off buying the s3
 
MrShiny said:
Just downloaded all the wiring for the PFL and the FL so hopefully i should be able to get this done as soon as my cars out of the bodyshop.



Just the exterior, no point in changing the engine as its not as simple as that, someone might correct me if im wrong but i dont think itll be possible to put an s3 enging in the 1.6 as the gear box etc wont be a straight swap. Youll be better off buying the s3
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Fair enough, just got me wondering because I've seen how far people go on here with modding their cars, but yeah you would have to get a new clutch, gearbox, intercooler, possibly prop shaft I would imagine
 
assuming from the electrical, you know the FL lights (xenons or matrix) need new wing arches and front bumper and a host of others bits and bobs?
 
Schizophonic said:
Where did he post he's doing FL S3? I saw his OP mentioned S3 but that could be PFL or FL.

Some people out there still dont know the difference. Just wanted to check with the OP.
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Im doing a 8V PFL to FL (S3 Style), everythings all bought and bolted on. Should be coming out of the paint shop tomorrow fingers crossed.

All i have to do is the wiring on the matrix headlights, ive got the plugs and wiring diagrams for both the FL and PFL. It just a matter of trial and error now i guess, ill keep this post updated on the progress.

Im the mean time heres a lil peak from the bodyshop...
 

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Schizophonic said:
Where did he post he's doing FL S3? I saw his OP mentioned S3 but that could be PFL or FL.

Some people out there still dont know the difference. Just wanted to check with the OP.
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Saw him post regarding it in another thread
 
I am equal parts impressed and bemused.

I cant comprehend how much you’ll have spent to get the S3 look and not to mention additional insurance for all the ‘mods’?

Each to their own but please share the pics when done.
 
JonnyS3 said:
I am equal parts impressed and bemused.

I cant comprehend how much you’ll have spent to get the S3 look and not to mention additional insurance for all the ‘mods’?

Each to their own but please share the pics when done.
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Personal preference. I love the S3 look but I wouldn't be able to get insured. S-Line with a few S3 body mods isn't an issue for insurance though
 
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JonnyS3 said:
I am equal parts impressed and bemused.

I cant comprehend how much you’ll have spent to get the S3 look and not to mention additional insurance for all the ‘mods’?

Each to their own but please share the pics when done.
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Its out of the body shop now and gone straight into the garage to get the last few bits done but because of the bank holiday they wont start on it till tomorrow(tuesday) so i will try getting some pictures when i go by to check on it. I picked the car up for pretty cheap as it was a accident damaged one so I thought instead of buying the original parts id just do the facelift on it, and most parts from ebay were actually same if not cheaper than the PFL parts. The one bit that has cost quite a bit was the matrix headlights but still its worth it for the car.

Insurance wise shouldn’t really be an issue as long as i mention the “mods”. on my last car i did the same, it was on the Mercedes eclass and my premium only increased by £60. You just need the time, effort and you can find pretty cheap parts on ebay
 
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Kondax said:
Personal preference.
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Definitely is. Iv got a sibling with the 18 plate S3 and i love it. I bought this as a run around car for cheap so I thought might as well turn it into a s3 without the running cost :wink:
 
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JonnyS3 said:
Oh that seems pretty reasonable - i thought it would have been much more!

Look forward to the completion pics.
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Im hoping should be fully complete by the weekend, but ill deffo post pics up once its fully complete. I have this one i took few days back after the bumper was sprayed, this was before they aligned everything up. More pics to follow once done
 

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MrShiny said:
Im hoping should be fully complete by the weekend, but ill deffo post pics up once its fully complete. I have this one i took few days back after the bumper was sprayed, this was before they aligned everything up. More pics to follow once done
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They're just standard led face lift lights as the Matrix led headlights have 3 led modules adjacent to the dipoed/main beam enclosure
 
I have an Audi A3 Facelift November 2016. The car has Full LED headlights and taillights. But I am planning to retrofit the Matrix headlights. unfortunately my A3 has no lane assist or High beam assist. When configuring on the audi site, I see that you have to take high beam assist when I choose the matix lamp. So I already ordered a dimming mirror with a camera. (8S0857511C) Will this be sufficient including encoding via vcds? Connectors are also the same as the full LED headlights.
 
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Khalid said:
I have an Audi A3 Facelift November 2016. The car has Full LED headlights and taillights. But I am planning to retrofit the Matrix headlights. unfortunately my A3 has no lane assist or High beam assist. When configuring on the audi site, I see that you have to take high beam assist when I choose the matix lamp. So I already ordered a dimming mirror with a camera. (8S0857511C) Will this be sufficient including encoding via vcds? Connectors are also the same as the full LED headlights.
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Check the schematics on Erwin. I don't know if they need more wires.

A3 8V Facelift Limousine
 
Khalid said:
I have an Audi A3 Facelift November 2016. The car has Full LED headlights and taillights. But I am planning to retrofit the Matrix headlights. unfortunately my A3 has no lane assist or High beam assist. When configuring on the audi site, I see that you have to take high beam assist when I choose the matix lamp. So I already ordered a dimming mirror with a camera. (8S0857511C) Will this be sufficient including encoding via vcds? Connectors are also the same as the full LED headlights.
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You forgot to mention the price of matrix headlights and the rare chance of you getting them cheap via salvage
 
I bought the matrix headlights on eBay. they were indeed not cheap together with the e tron bumper with dlr led at the bottom of that. I am also looking for the cable harness and its diagram. can someone help me with that?
 

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Hi Everyone, i hope that somebody can help me
With codding the matrix headlight. Lowbeam drl and signalworks. Allweather dont work and the highbeam. Do somebody have the matrix installed
From fabric A3 S3?

See photo this is de coding voor the headlight range from de older full led unit
 
I've only just started my research on this. Matrix requires two level sensors to be connected not just one; three wires need to go to the front left level sensor which may be wired back to the BCM? Matrix is also wired to the A5 camera. You will know this from the schematics you downloaded from Erwin. Once you've connected to the camera Matrix won't work until you've done a calibration which only the dealer can do. From other research I've done it's likely you'll need to flash an additional dataset to the BCM module using VCP. I've started another thread on this subject but it's retrofit for FL LED to FL Matrix. I haven't received any helpful info from that thread yet only the usual suspect telling me it's a waste of time and money....
 
larsmate said:
I've only just started my research on this. Matrix requires two level sensors to be connected not just one; three wires need to go to the front left level sensor which may be wired back to the BCM? Matrix is also wired to the A5 camera. You will know this from the schematics you downloaded from Erwin. Once you've connected to the camera Matrix won't work until you've done a calibration which only the dealer can do. From other research I've done it's likely you'll need to flash an additional dataset to the BCM module using VCP. I've started another thread on this subject but it's retrofit for FL LED to FL Matrix. I haven't received any helpful info from that thread yet only the usual suspect telling me it's a waste of time and money....
Click to expand...

You don't need an front camera (A5), Matrix also works if you have the high beam assist camera.

A3 8V Facelift Limousine
 
This is a very complicated retrofit and one which cannot be completed as per factory without the correct "software" and indeed calibration. @Khalid as an authorised VW Group Services Provider and Independent Repairer (ODIS user) you should know this :)

As much as I like my matrix lights I would not want to go down the route of retrofitting them.
 
DJAlix said:
This is a very complicated retrofit and one which cannot be completed as per factory without the correct "software" and indeed calibration. @Khalid as an authorised VW Group Services Provider and Independent Repairer (ODIS user) you should know this :)

As much as I like my matrix lights I would not want to go down the route of retrofitting them.
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I concur. It is a headache and a half. Regretting it not, should have put the xenons on -less headache.

Ive not really had much time recently due to my job so the project was on hold but back on it now.

I have had the car wired up to factory FL LED but the only lights that are working are the dips, no DRL, no indicator, no cornering and no full beam. Im actually stuck now... Ive changed the BCM to -high, Gateway -high, added range control and the all weather light switch as well as the level sensor but still no luck. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

@DJAlix i sent you a DM and still patiently awaiting your reply...
 
MrShiny said:
I concur. It is a headache and a half. Regretting it not, should have put the xenons on -less headache.

Ive not really had much time recently due to my job so the project was on hold but back on it now.

I have had the car wired up to factory FL LED but the only lights that are working are the dips, no DRL, no indicator, no cornering and no full beam. Im actually stuck now... Ive changed the BCM to -high, Gateway -high, added range control and the all weather light switch as well as the level sensor but still no luck. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

@DJAlix i sent you a DM and still patiently awaiting your reply...
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I receive nearly 100 messages a day via social media and email. Currently have 64 messages in the forum inbox. I am replying but based on a priority and possible “success rate”, impossible for me to operate any other way as there are only so many hours in the day. Only reason I saw this is because I have key word alerts set up and I received a triggered message.

Matrix lights have their own lighting control modules (LCM), in addition to the central electronics module and range control, which are going to need commissioning via a special process, which will fail as your chassis number is not meant to have these lights fitted. Cannot see, in my head, how you can get around this process.

What of the people who say they have completed this retrofit? No idea. I have not completed this retrofit myself as no one likes my price for the project lol but I am guessing the people involved would have found a “fudge” of some description.

Where to start with resolving your issues? Get off the forum. No one who knows how to do this is going to share any information let alone put it up on a public forum. You are gonna need to start ringing around professional retrofitters I am afraid, until you find one who is willing to complete this for you.

May the force be with you
 
DJAlix said:
I receive nearly 100 messages a day via social media and email. Currently have 64 messages in the forum inbox. I am replying but based on a priority and possible “success rate”, impossible for me to operate any other way as there are only so many hours in the day. Only reason I saw this is because I have key word alerts set up and I received a triggered message.

Matrix lights have their own lighting control modules (LCM), in addition to the central electronics module and range control, which are going to need commissioning via a special process, which will fail as your chassis number is not meant to have these lights fitted. Cannot see, in my head, how you can get around this process.

What of the people who say they have completed this retrofit? No idea. I have not completed this retrofit myself as no one likes my price for the project lol but I am guessing the people involved would have found a “fudge” of some description.

Where to start with resolving your issues? Get off the forum. No one who knows how to do this is going to share any information let alone put it up on a public forum. You are gonna need to start ringing around professional retrofitters I am afraid, until you find one who is willing to complete this for you.

May the force be with you
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@DJAlix thank you for the reply. I understand you receive a lot of DMs hence why i was being patient lol.

Ill be honest Alex, i have everything fitted to factory FL Led headlight by the wiring diagram. And because i have exhausted all my options i am willing to pay, as i have most of it done, any chance i can get a price off you to complete the job and a time scale. I have emailed you on your site but never got a response but again you are busy so I understand.
 
MrShiny said:
@DJAlix thank you for the reply. I understand you receive a lot of DMs hence why i was being patient lol.

Ill be honest Alex, i have everything fitted to factory FL Led headlight by the wiring diagram. And because i have exhausted all my options i am willing to pay, as i have most of it done, any chance i can get a price off you to complete the job and a time scale. I have emailed you on your site but never got a response but again you are busy so I understand.
Click to expand...
I would not take the works on unfortunately, and here is why...

In my mind your issue here is because you have fitted Matrix and not basic LEDs, and also because you have completed everything as per factory. Most people who retrofit external lighting to post 2012 MQB vehicles "fudge" the wiring so it works, very few actually complete an OEM retrofit as in some cases it's just not possible to do so. I cannot see a "fudge" working in this instance due to all the "smarts" involved in the matrix function so it needs to be done as per factory. The correct procedure is to "commission" your lighting control modules (external to the main central electrics module). This can only officially be done via the VW Group Service tool and when you go to do so its gonna do the following:
  • Scan your vehicle for the needed parts / control modules
  • Extract the needed information (VIN number, coding, parameters, adaptations, serial numbers etc)
  • Fire the above information over to the server in Germany
  • The server is gonna reference your parts against the official stolen parts blacklist. Process will terminate here if any parts are flagged, I see this every damn day at the moment so watch out. If parts are legit then...
  • The server in Germany is gonna look at your VIN number and complete a "dip" in to your vehicles factory design database in order to supply / fire back the needed programming...
  • However the above is going to report that your vehicle should have different headlights / control modules / coding etc
  • The VW Group service tool is then gonna report that the process is not possible due to parts not being "valid for the vehicle"
  • Procedure ends.
Any 3rd party tools that could complete this? Seems so, offline. I have just referenced one of the many I have and can see data in there relating to matrix lighting. The problem is that testing is needed and this = time, which as a business in turn = money. My problem with this retrofit is that it would just not be financially worth me taking on unless I ask for retarded money (in relation to the specific retrofit that is), which I would not be comfortable doing. Sorry. My advise is to keep searching for a professional who has both completed this and then is actually willing to do it again.
 
MrShiny said:
@DJAlix thank you for the reply. I understand you receive a lot of DMs hence why i was being patient lol.

Ill be honest Alex, i have everything fitted to factory FL Led headlight by the wiring diagram. And because i have exhausted all my options i am willing to pay, as i have most of it done, any chance i can get a price off you to complete the job and a time scale. I have emailed you on your site but never got a response but again you are busy so I understand.
Click to expand...


Apologies, I meant Alix.
 
DJAlix said:
No no, my real name is Alex :)
Click to expand...

Haha Alex it is, i have a mate called Alex so just a force of habbit.


DJAlix said:
I would not take the works on unfortunately, and here is why...

In my mind your issue here is because you have fitted Matrix and not basic LEDs, and also because you have completed everything as per factory. Most people who retrofit external lighting to post 2012 MQB vehicles "fudge" the wiring so it works, very few actually complete an OEM retrofit as in some cases it's just not possible to do so. I cannot see a "fudge" working in this instance due to all the "smarts" involved in the matrix function so it needs to be done as per factory. The correct procedure is to "commission" your lighting control modules (external to the main central electrics module). This can only officially be done via the VW Group Service tool and when you go to do so its gonna do the following:
  • Scan your vehicle for the needed parts / control modules
  • Extract the needed information (VIN number, coding, parameters, adaptations, serial numbers etc)
  • Fire the above information over to the server in Germany
  • The server is gonna reference your parts against the official stolen parts blacklist. Process will terminate here if any parts are flagged, I see this every damn day at the moment so watch out. If parts are legit then...
  • The server in Germany is gonna look at your VIN number and complete a "dip" in to your vehicles factory design database in order to supply / fire back the needed programming...
  • However the above is going to report that your vehicle should have different headlights / control modules / coding etc
  • The VW Group service tool is then gonna report that the process is not possible due to parts not being "valid for the vehicle"
  • Procedure ends.
Any 3rd party tools that could complete this? Seems so, offline. I have just referenced one of the many I have and can see data in there relating to matrix lighting. The problem is that testing is needed and this = time, which as a business in turn = money. My problem with this retrofit is that it would just not be financially worth me taking on unless I ask for retarded money (in relation to the specific retrofit that is), which I would not be comfortable doing. Sorry. My advise is to keep searching for a professional who has both completed this and then is actually willing to do it again.
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Ahh see i have only fitted the basic fl leds as the matrix headlights just involves too many components and is very expensive. I have a 18 plate fl s3 with the basic lights so i have just copied all the wiring and modules from that. I have read the basic fl led is much more easier to do than the matrix (not in my case though as i dont have access to the svm) i mean without doing any physical fitting/wiring. Would you be able to do the svm/adaptions and coding? i will be willing to pay for that, then i would know the rest is on the wiring. If you can let me know i would appreciate it. Thank you
 
MrShiny said:
Haha Alex it is, i have a mate called Alex so just a force of habbit.




Ahh see i have only fitted the basic fl leds as the matrix headlights just involves too many components and is very expensive. I have a 18 plate fl s3 with the basic lights so i have just copied all the wiring and modules from that. I have read the basic fl led is much more easier to do than the matrix (not in my case though as i dont have access to the svm) i mean without doing any physical fitting/wiring. Would you be able to do the svm/adaptions and coding? i will be willing to pay for that, then i would know the rest is on the wiring. If you can let me know i would appreciate it. Thank you
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I thought you had retrofit LED Matrix based on the thread title? SVM will fail as the components are not valid for your vehicle. Impossible to use the official service tool for this retrofit.

You have a pm
 
DJAlix said:
I thought you had retrofit LED Matrix based on the thread title? SVM will fail as the components are not valid for your vehicle. Impossible to use the official service tool for this retrofit.

You have a pm
Click to expand...

Sorry that was the case at first, then after researching i saw it was mad. So sold the lights -for a profit and got the facelift LEDs.

Thanks for your reply.
 
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