VCDS Codings FAQ?

[andyt99]

In various threads people have mentioned VCDS codings for specific things, but are these collated anywhere in a sticky FAQ? I've been trying to do 3 things with my B9.5 RS4 and failed to figure out how to do any of them. I want to

* Manually open & close the exhaust valves, preferably with the engine off (I currently have a squeaking valve issue).
* Turn off the auto-dimming mirrors (I hate it! My RS3 had a handy button on the mirror to turn it off).
* Check how many launch controls it has done.


Thanks

 

[flybynite]

Exhaust valve control cannot be done with VCDS you need a valve controller or an engine remap

Launches are in 02 Auto trans then look at the measuring blocks

Not sure about the auto dimming mirrors but AFAIK they are not coded so it may be as simple as disconnecting the +ve wire. As it is not coded there will be nothing in CAN to sense it is off and no errors.

 

[andyt99]

Great, thanks for the info.
In Auto Trans I can only see "Launch control counter-upshift 1-2", "Launch control counter-upshift 2-3", "Launch control counter-upshift 3-4", but they're all zero which seemed unlikely for a 3 year old car that been owned by 2 people before me!
Shame about the mirrors. I've seen it suggested elsewhere that a bit of tape over the light sensor on the back of the mirror should stop it trying to react to dazzling lights, I'll try that first

 

[flybynite]

but they're all zero which seemed unlikely for a 3 year old car that been owned by 2 people before me!

Quite a few around, I had a one-owner 2 year old car with no launches, still has none 5 years later, not really seen the point, plenty on youtube Can be reset if the gearbox is re-mapped but there will be signs of that.

Have to admit I have no problem with the auto-dimming mirrors, what about them don't you like?

 

[andyt99]

I find the auto-dim mirrors just go too dark until all I can see behind me is some lights and nothing else. The windscreen doesn't dim of course, so your eyes don't get chance to get used to the difference when you're looking ahead and then glance into the mirror. I don't have a problem with the brightness out of the front window and I never did with the rear view in my RS3 whenever I turned auto-dimming off.