Octavia Running Lights v Side Lights

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help ? I've just bought a Brand new Skoda Octavia VRS (59) and when you drive the car the running lights come on automatically and look very cool. The problem I've got, is when I switch my Side lights on the running lights go dim and the side light bulbs which are situated in the top part of the new Headlight Housing wont light up. I've been back to skoda and they tell me this is what should happen.

Does anyone know how this really should work

I personally think that when you switch the side lights on the running lights should go dim and the side light should come on just like the back one do.

any help would be appreciated

Ta

Chris

There are side light bulbs in there, but they don't come on? Sounds wrong to me. Not a lot of help that though.

I also believe that when you turn your headlights on, then the DRLs should go out all together.

sounds right to me.

sounds right to me.

Maybe, But what is the purpose of the side light in the main headlamp housing ?

Seems to me that I need the right code putting in and they work as well as my running lights.

Thanks for your comment

Chris

I also believe that when you turn your headlights on, then the DRLs should go out all together.

Not in my case. When you first turn side lights the running lights do go dimmer and when i turn to dipped headlights they are still dim but obviously the dipped lights are on as well. But I still cant get the side lights in the main headlight housing to come on.

Thanks for comment

Chris

I guess its possible then that the DRLs are being used in place of the sidelights. The vRS is currently the only model with this type of DRL, so its possible that the standard sidelight bulbs maybe present but not used. its cheaper to have just one headlamp unit ready to fit to a car than several different types based on model.

When you put the Indicator stork in the Left/right position when the engine is off that side of the cars lights should come on for parking, does the DRL in dim mode come on with the rear light aswell or do the side lights come on, " does that make sense ". this might tell you if the sidelight are actually working.

I guess its possible then that the DRLs are being used in place of the sidelights. The vRS is currently the only model with this type of DRL, so its possible that the standard sidelight bulbs maybe present but not used. its cheaper to have just one headlamp unit ready to fit to a car than several different types based on model.

This does sound possible. However I would personally think that if the side light is there, then it should serve a purpose. ie if the side lights are switched on them DRLs should dim and the Side light should take preference.

Who knows ? I'll keep trying Many thnks for for your comments

Chris

When you put the Indicator stork in the Left/right position when the engine is off that side of the cars lights should come on for parking, does the DRL in dim mode come on with the rear light aswell or do the side lights come on, " does that make sense ". this might tell you if the sidelight are actually working.

Thats what I thought. But No, the side light remains out. But like you said the DRL lights up in DIM mode as well as the back of course.

Chris

Thats what I thought. But No, the side light remains out. But like you said the DRL lights up in DIM mode as well as the back of course.

Chris

Looks like if you have DRL you don't get/need sidelights.......

Chris, I also have a FL vRS and the lights behave exactly as yours - I went through the same train of thought as you. In the end I concluded as Mannyo says, it's economies of scale that keep the W5W bulb in the main cluster and the LEDs act as sidelights as well. I did note in the manual that they explicitly state don't drive on sidelight, the inference is use dip if you need lighting over DRL.

Richard

what do you get, Engine off, key out and the light switch turned to the first / sidelight position, are the side lights wired up, can you follow the wire, dummy bulbs????.....Intriguing

AG,

When in the setup you mention: Ign - OFF; Lights - Side the LEDs are both on dim and rear lamps lit. The filament bulbs in the main cluster are all off. I couldn't get the W5W sidelight bulb in the main cluster on in any circumstamces. I did look briefly at wiring and the socket has 2 wires going back into the light unit. I didn't trace any further as I was getting into pulling lots of ramdon plastic bits off and being a company car I might have troubles explaining my case if I bust anything. I was interested, as I didn't know about the facelift when I ordered, so had some halogen W5W upgrades lined up.

I took delivery in bright sunlight, so didn't see the LEDs were on in the sidelight mode until on my knees in front of the car. It caused my collegues some amusement though!

Richard.

Chris, I also have a FL vRS and the lights behave exactly as yours - I went through the same train of thought as you. In the end I concluded as Mannyo says, it's economies of scale that keep the W5W bulb in the main cluster and the LEDs act as sidelights as well. I did note in the manual that they explicitly state don't drive on sidelight, the inference is use dip if you need lighting over DRL.

Richard

This is really useful to know. Many thanks for your comments. At least now I know I'm not going Crazy.

I am however going to ask Skoda if they code it so my side lights do come on when I switch to side lights after all the back lights come on. I was hoping someone was going to say they had the same problem but had it fixed.

Cheers

Chris

what do you get, Engine off, key out and the light switch turned to the first / sidelight position, are the side lights wired up, can you follow the wire, dummy bulbs????.....Intriguing

Key Out of Ignition and light switch turned to side position = DRLs on (dimmed) Unless of course you put your indicator on, then the corresponding DRL comes on again Dimmed.