I have now fitted quite a few HID kits to Octavias (more than 10) and not had any problems until today.

A member visited me this morning and I fitted the kit as usual. Went to code Controller 9 and was surprised to find no options for Xenons - in fact quite a few options were missing. Turned off the cold diagnostics but it would not work properly with the HIDs (flickering when motor running).

This is the first time I have encountered a controller without HID options. The car was a 2007 model (manufactured early-mid 2007 judging by date codes). The strange thing is that I have coded older and newer models without problem.

One thing I did notice was that the last two digits of the controller part no. were AH, as opposed to AJ, which is what I normally see.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that it seems there are controllers that cannot be configured for HID's and its probably a good idea to use VCDS to check your controller options prior to purchasing/fitting an HID kit.

** NOW PROVISIONALLY SOLD ** Another outcome is that I have a spare HID kit if anyone wants it. Will fit and code (where possible!) at very modest cost provided you can get to me. PM if interested.

Edited 29 January, 201115 yr by Hauptmann

Hi there where abouts in the country are you?

Hi there where abouts in the country are you?

The clue's in the "Nr Hinckley, Leics" part of the "Location:" in the window to the left of the post....

Hi there where abouts in the country are you?

Looks like they are 'no longer available' - someone who is fairly local wants them.

Strange mines early 2007 too but mine work fine.

I know its not quite what this post is about but I am about to order some HIDs with micro ballasts after spending the last 6 months considering the legal aspects.

The thing is I do not have VCDS so will have to ask someone around essex to code it for me.

SO the question is what do you think is a reasonable fee to pay someone to have coding done?

Thanks in advance.

Strange mines early 2007 too but mine work fine.

Yes, I have done other cars of the same age (and earlier) with no problem. But obviously there are some cars (well, at least this one) fitted with a different controller. No idea why - the owner purchased it from new from a local Skoda dealer and apparently its never had any work done on the electrical system. Very strange.

Hi Hauptmann, i have a HID kit that is canbus friendly which i brought before reading all your posts. even with these i have the problem where on some occasions one of the lights will not work and i get a headlight out warning. if i turn the car off then on it will normally work fine and most of the time works well if i turn the lights on and off myself instead of relying on auto lights. If i could get someone to recode my car for xenons would this solve my problem or do i need the non canbus HIDS? Also could i code the car to use fog lights for coming home leaving lights?

Hi Hauptmann, i have a HID kit that is canbus friendly which i brought before reading all your posts. even with these i have the problem where on some occasions one of the lights will not work and i get a headlight out warning. if i turn the car off then on it will normally work fine and most of the time works well if i turn the lights on and off myself instead of relying on auto lights. If i could get someone to recode my car for xenons would this solve my problem or do i need the non canbus HIDS? Also could i code the car to use fog lights for coming home leaving lights?

I think you would be best to code your car for HIDs - this should solve the problem. You do not have to get non-CANbus HIDs.

IIRC you cannot code the fogs as CH/LH lights.

IIRC you cannot code the fogs as CH/LH lights.

If I am correct he has a FL Octavia.

Not sure if it is the vRS or not but I have this done on my FL vRS.

Thanks for the replys, i will look for somebody near me with the kit to do it and try to get both coded. Cheers.

Turn off the cold start diagnostics for the headlights, that should stop the bulb warning light coming on and a headlamp being 'disabled' by the controller.

If you can, remove the 'canbus friendly' bit of the setup if it is a separate electronics box, if you turn off the diagnostics it isn't needed anymore.

Hi Hauptmann, sorry I can´t help you on this but I wonder if even though you cannot see via VCDS it´s their.

Maybe is just like the various versions of the VCDS software, the latest has info that the oldest don´t.

Maybe the BYTE would be able to receive the info and save the changes.

My thoughts only

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by alberg

IIRC you cannot code the fogs as CH/LH lights.

Not possible that I can see on pre-FL, no - but possible on the FL. Quite annoying really, as it's a feature I'd use....

I had exactly the same issue with my Octavia (56/2007). Any work arounds? Different version of VCDS?