MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: keano on July 06, 2010, 10:27:21 pm

Title: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on July 06, 2010, 10:27:21 pm
Hey guys  :happy2:

Been looking thru the dub 'scene' in the US and i've noticed how awesome it looks when they have the indicators on as DRLs all the time.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4121%2F4769335894_ef84acc7ce_b.jpg&hash=76447911cdd0b6f99cea279c49235573b76824de)

Is it possible to set this up on my car?

because i WANTTT ITTTTT  :party: :party: :party: :chicken:

Thanks alot

Nick
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: jabbalad on July 06, 2010, 10:30:24 pm
i tryed this, but couldnt do it to leave just the sidelights on!

So i took the easy way out and got some orange sidelight bulbs..... it has exactly the same effect (as long as the sidelight is in the indicator part)  :smiley:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on July 06, 2010, 10:34:10 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Foo246%2Fvwrascal56%2FSNC11391.jpg&hash=9154480410fa045c7ae1747361eb6a737faabc96)

you mean this?  

I have had them on with my old halogen units (as per pic) and I now have them on with my xenons   :happy2:

They need to be activated via vagcom, I will try and find a how to for you   :smiley:

Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on July 06, 2010, 10:39:02 pm
Awesome news :) Thanks guys.

I was going to ask if they'd work with my poverty halogens, but turns out they do!  :happy2:

 :love: thanks again

Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: Jaywoo-GTI on July 07, 2010, 11:34:51 am
Interesting, I was told the cant be set on halogens but tha above pic proves it.
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on July 07, 2010, 11:45:55 am
just seen this thread again. they look sooooooooo good!   :jumpmove:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: Nasir on July 07, 2010, 12:59:38 pm
They do look very good, nice sig Keano :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: nc35 on July 07, 2010, 01:54:00 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Foo246%2Fvwrascal56%2FSNC11391.jpg&hash=9154480410fa045c7ae1747361eb6a737faabc96)

you mean this?  

I have had them on with my old halogen units (as per pic) and I now have them on with my xenons   :happy2:

They need to be activated via vagcom, I will try and find a how to for you   :smiley:



Love the look of your car...

Tried to activate via VAGCOM - there are two options USA & Scandinavia (from memory) and neither seem to work for me  :sad1:

Any better instructions, cos I would like them too
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on July 08, 2010, 01:51:53 pm
Any luck guys?  :P
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: RedRobin on July 08, 2010, 02:31:39 pm
^^^^
Those are yellow/amber/orange, in other words not white light. What happens when you indicate turning? Does one flash and the other remain permanently on? - I hope not because they could get you into deep doodah with both the law and confuse other motorists to the extent of heavily contributing to an incident. Utterly stupid idea! :stupid:

Why not change simply your sidelight bulbs to white LED and use those as 'daytime running lights'?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on July 08, 2010, 02:37:32 pm
Hi Red,

I think they are usually set to produce 40% light, then when the indicator is on, will produce 100% light on that certain unit.
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: nc35 on July 08, 2010, 02:46:55 pm
Hi Red,

I think they are usually set to produce 40% light, then when the indicator is on, will produce 100% light on that certain unit.

Just like the new Audi DLRs.
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 05:56:43 pm
^^^^
Those are yellow/amber/orange, in other words not white light. What happens when you indicate turning? Does one flash and the other remain permanently on? - I hope not because they could get you into deep doodah with both the law and confuse other motorists to the extent of heavily contributing to an incident. Utterly stupid idea! :stupid:

Why not change simply your sidelight bulbs to white LED and use those as 'daytime running lights'?

when you indicate, the other stays on   :happy2:

Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 05:57:49 pm
Hi Red,

I think they are usually set to produce 40% light, then when the indicator is on, will produce 100% light on that certain unit.

you can set them what ever dimmage you would like   :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 06:04:10 pm
to set these, you need to go to central elecs in VCDS, cant remember which byte or bit it is without plugging her in   :ashamed:  it is under 'parking light dimming' and will be set at '0%', have a play with dimming but I run 100%    :grin:  it has nothing to do with USA or scandanavian drl's because thats where I went wrong   :chicken:  HTH, if your still stuck then I will jump in the motor and take a look   :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 05, 2010, 06:09:15 pm
...Wow! Finally a DRL style I might be able to run.

I overlooked this before thinking the sidelight DRL was the only real OEM DRL option  :ashamed:
I like these a lot - I bet the catch is though that you need the 30byte controller to do it?
Or does it work on all spec cars? My GTI only had the Winter pack with it, nothing else so it wasn't heavily specced' when I bought it (although it is now  :wink: )

I'll have a look later in that controller! Thanks Rascal  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 06:36:59 pm
you need the sidelights on for them to work :happy2:  They look better with xenon headlights because of the positioning of the sidelight in the xenon!
will get pics up asap   :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 05, 2010, 06:54:59 pm
I've pursed every possible DRL option, this is probably the only one left so if it works, you're a good ol' boy  :happy2:

Ah, so they have to be triggered manually via the sidelight switch? :/
I have indeed got Xenons  :jumpmove:
Cheers Rascal!
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 05, 2010, 07:04:30 pm
I hope this works...i really want DRLs but ive got no interest in stupid LED  fairy lights!  :smiley:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: RedRobin on November 05, 2010, 07:22:54 pm

I hope this works...i really want DRLs but ive got no interest in stupid LED fairy lights!  :smiley:


....*cough*   



:wink:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: apollo13 on November 05, 2010, 07:25:00 pm

I hope this works...i really want DRLs but ive got no interest in stupid LED fairy lights!  :smiley:


....*cough*   


That did make me chuckle!!!  :grin:



:wink:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 08:00:26 pm
with halogen headlights- sidelights above indacator

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Foo246%2Fvwrascal56%2FSNC11389-1.jpg&hash=41c723ce7cf0b0513feb393c6ed1ece38b1dd7ed)

with xenons- sidelights next to indacator so looks longer (excuse the naff pic, its pitch black on my drive and my camera is poor  :ashamed:)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Foo246%2Fvwrascal56%2FSNC11403.jpg&hash=a29f0058c6db069fbdca10bb600919dac78552a8)

looks heaps better in the flesh   :happy2:


Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 05, 2010, 08:17:54 pm
I bet it doesn't bloody work with the poverty byte controller!  :indifferent:

Looks tidy though, I'll give it a go. Which bulb do they use, is that the P21 bulb that T_T was talking about in my other DRL thread the other week?  :smiley:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 08:25:56 pm
I bet it doesn't bloody work with the poverty byte controller!  :indifferent:

Looks tidy though, I'll give it a go. Which bulb do they use, is that the P21 bulb that T_T was talking about in my other DRL thread the other week?  :smiley:

havent changed any bulbs, its just the inacator bulb  :ashamed: I have a 56 plate GTi if that helps, not sure what controller I have  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 05, 2010, 08:29:12 pm
^ No no, that's cool. Didn't expect you to have done fella. Was just thinking ahead, thinking to myself if I could change them for some brighter ones... I'll investigate if it works on mine.

Ah okay. Mines an 06, I've got the midline computer and only the winter pack. Yours might be higher factory spec?  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: vwrascal on November 05, 2010, 08:32:15 pm
midline here too, no winter pack - only armrest with 6 cd changer and monza2's were factory spec, the rest is retrofitted   :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 05, 2010, 10:16:16 pm
 :booty:

RR.... Yours look great, I was specifically talking about the 'chav strips'!  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 06, 2010, 04:21:50 pm
has anyone got any instructions on how to do this with vcds?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 11, 2010, 11:58:46 pm
bump to the top for some instructions  :happy2:   
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 12, 2010, 12:06:24 am
to set these, you need to go to central elecs in VCDS, cant remember which byte or bit it is without plugging her in   :ashamed:  it is under 'parking light dimming' and will be set at '0%', have a play with dimming but I run 100%    :grin:  it has nothing to do with USA or scandanavian drl's because thats where I went wrong   :chicken:  HTH, if your still stuck then I will jump in the motor and take a look   :happy2:

has anyone got any instructions on how to do this with vcds?
bump to the top for some instructions  :happy2:   

The ones above worked for me Brett. Haven't noticed any difference yet I'll be honest but then I'm running OEM Xenons with A/market LED sidelights like you  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 12:16:23 am
cheers fella, dont suppose you know which controller/bit/ byte etc?  and have you got any pics of them?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 12, 2010, 12:28:07 am
Haven't yet on pics. Module is central electrics, I forget which number it is but you should find it, particularly if you have the low end byte controller like me.

If you can't find it, PM me and I'll print screen what I did. Tbh it looks a VCDS option that looks better on the halogen headlights as they're more isolated with no light to clash with, although that's just IMO  :smiley:

( Liking the new sig btw - tidy  :happy2:  :drinking: )
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 12:53:52 pm
ive got today off so i think i may have a look this afternoon, i bet i cant find it lol   ill get some pics if i do. though

and thanks pete  :happy2:  i just did the sig using the photobucket pic editor
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 03:30:17 pm
got mine working earlier and they look ok,  they do clash with the sidelights on the xenons abit though.

does anyone know the legality of running an orange light on the front in the uk?  will i get in trouble if i do decide to run these?

ill get some pics up later
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 04:48:38 pm
piccy`s for yall,  there set at 90% brightness in these, which is abit too bright imo


(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fw199%2Fv2brett%2FSDC10538.jpg&hash=b17b64009aa2408c1ef0b07d403c4e8e6097eadb)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fw199%2Fv2brett%2FSDC10542.jpg&hash=903df76595524ad46f31d37c68e0617bd75f196d)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fw199%2Fv2brett%2FSDC10541.jpg&hash=d0d2e37ea81dc18aebc690317e84786d40626949)
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on November 12, 2010, 05:28:25 pm
Love them. Although id probably try and set them to dim to 20% when the xenons are on.

Do we know if this can be done with halogens yet?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 12, 2010, 05:48:16 pm
Looks good Brett. I don't think mine enabled properly so ill play with these again tomorrow. Do they work with the sidelights at night? That garage shot shows how bright they can be  :smiley:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 08:53:32 pm
keano - im sure it can be done with halogens

and pete there on whenever the lights are on (side and dipped beam), plus thats only 90% brightness so they`ve got a lil bit more left in them  :happy2:    they didnt activate under what i 1st tried in the coding, so maybe thats what you have selected at the min.  the 1 i changed was further down in the controller  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 12, 2010, 09:03:07 pm
Cool, that must be why then!

Where they are in your garage, they literally look as bright as average halogen H7 bulbs  :signLOL: I saw them on my HTC earlier but looking on the laptop, they're impressively bright.

Can you remember which byte you modified if it wasn't the one I changed?
Once it's all clear one of us should knock up an FAQ post for this for the benefit of other/new users  :happy2:

Thanks.
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: mortygttdi on November 12, 2010, 09:35:35 pm
Just done this didn't think it was possible has a thought the same... :confused: thanks to vwrascal I now have them working

Cheers

Darren
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 12, 2010, 09:51:41 pm
i cant remember exactly now  :laugh:, to be 100% sure ill check it again tomorrow. may have been byte 7

^^^ can Morty remember?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 12, 2010, 11:15:08 pm
Question is then, can they be triggered 'automatically' as independent DRL's, i.e. triggered automatically without switching to the side light setting?

Thought I'd ask :wink: Darren may be the man for this one.
As it's not been mentioned before, I'm guessing probably not...
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: mortygttdi on November 13, 2010, 12:30:14 am
Just leave your headlight switch in auto, I'm at work now so don't have my netbook or lead but from memory I think Brett was right with byte 7 dimming of front parking lights ill check first thing.

Darren
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on November 13, 2010, 08:51:50 am
Anyone fancy doing a lovely northener's?  :pomppomp:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 13, 2010, 10:52:32 am
how far north are you mate
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on November 13, 2010, 01:54:58 pm
Doncaster bud. What about you?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 13, 2010, 02:02:42 pm
Just leave your headlight switch in auto, I'm at work now so don't have my netbook or lead but from memory I think Brett was right with byte 7 dimming of front parking lights ill check first thing.

Darren

But they won't trigger on the 'Auto' setting will they Daz, they have to be spooled by the sidelight setting?
Anyway so they trigger automatically on the 'Auto' setting, i.e. you don't have to manually turn the switch?

Also, which byte is it to Dim the indicator bulbs when the Xenons or headlights are on?

Ta.
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: v2brett on November 13, 2010, 03:00:32 pm
Doncaster bud. What about you?
Your not too far from me then mate, im about 6/7 miles from donny.  only prob is tht my laptop needs a power source as the batterys fubar'd
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: golfman on November 13, 2010, 04:43:36 pm
Fantastic thanks for the info guys :happy2:

scott

Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: golfman on November 14, 2010, 11:08:48 am
Update
i had to take this off as it was making my DRL'S flicker when my headlights were on :sad1:
if i have my headlights switched off and my DRL'S are on they are fine :confused:
luckly the kind neighbour(police woman) saw these yesterday as i was driving behind her!!!

scott
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 14, 2010, 04:53:49 pm
^^^ That's a shame Golfman :/ At least you realised quickly :smiley:

I've disabled them as they look silly with my Xenons + LED sidelights, which are both obviously very white. The yellow just interferes with the look.

Despite them looking good in the day, I couldn't work out how to set the dimming with headlights so they'll have to be de-activated  :ashamed:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 14, 2010, 11:46:07 pm
Doncaster bud. What about you?

Doncaster...... im from donny too!  :jumping:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: keano on November 15, 2010, 09:26:00 am
Doncaster bud. What about you?

Doncaster...... im from donny too!  :jumping:

:O Really?! I think I've seen you driving through Balby a few times at about half 7 in the morning. Am I right? I work for Wilkinson Construction about half way down.

We need a Donny meet! :D :D
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 15, 2010, 11:02:18 am
I doubt it... cos i actually live NW London! Id be up for a meet tho if im around!
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: Resonance on November 15, 2010, 11:45:16 am
I doubt it... cos i actually live NW London! Id be up for a meet tho if im around!

Ahh so you live in London then!

Are you going to any of the UKMKIV meets before Xmas? It would be good to meet up sometime.

Richard
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 15, 2010, 12:03:27 pm
What are the dates mate?
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: Resonance on November 15, 2010, 12:12:12 pm
What are the dates mate?


Here are the next few meets from UKMKIV's


Bluewater Meet Sunday 28th November 5PM

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/386854.aspx (http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/386854.aspx)


Guildford Meet, Monday 6th December - Bedford Road Car Park, GU1 4PX

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/387175.aspx (http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/387175.aspx)


West End Dubs (20th November 2010 - Tesco Earls Court)

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/383771.aspx (http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/383771.aspx)


Richard
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 15, 2010, 12:34:03 pm
I might pop down to guildford on the 6th!  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 20, 2010, 12:10:31 am
^ Sorry to lead away from the meet subject boys...

> Have we established how to dim/disable the turn signal bulbs when the headlamps/xenon headlamps are turned on? If I can do this (which currently I can't, the turn signals stay very bright and make the Xenons look tommy-wank), then I'll run this as per the original few posts! :party:  :happy2:
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rich83 on November 22, 2010, 02:29:50 pm
Im having no joy getting the sidelights on! I can get the dimmed indicators to work but only in the 'sidelight on' position!
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: Norbreck21a on November 22, 2010, 03:53:15 pm
Guys,

Something which may or may not be relavent. My friend with a 55 GTI, had me enable the USA style driving lights on his car (not the indicators, but the standard headlamps) set at only 40% brightness.

As you may or may not know, the way these work is that only the headlights come on (no tail or dashboard lights) and when you are stationary and put the handbrake on, they go off. As soon as you release the handbrake, they come back on again.

He's been running these for about 6 months now, no problem until recently. He needed an MOT and it failed on the DRL's. What the examiner said was that when the switch was in the sidelight position and the engine running, both front and rear taillights MUST illuminate irrespective at all times when the switch is in this position. On the Golf, the tail lights only come on when the vehicle is stationary with the handbrake on. As soon as you pull off , the taillights go off, even with the switch in the sidelight or auto positions. Obviously when the Auto lights switch the headlights on, it overrides the DRL function and illuminates both ends of the car.

In the end, he had to disable them to pass the MOT. Like I say, not sure if it affects the mods you guys are going with the indicator lights, but maybe worth checking ?

Andrew
Title: Re: USA style running lights on UK car?
Post by: rdfcpete on November 22, 2010, 07:02:45 pm
Im having no joy getting the sidelights on! I can get the dimmed indicators to work but only in the 'sidelight on' position!

That's the intended functionality isn't it Rich?
That's what I have to do anyway. They're not automated DRL's i.e. rely on the dusk sensor and turn on automatically once the ignition is spooled. They rely on the driver moving the light switch to the sidelight on position.