Hi all,

Been pondering over my new Octavia's headlights. There is no way (except turning off ignition) of switching off the headlights.

I'm thinking this maybe due to the coding? What I would like is that when I turn my switch off, that the headlights also go off!

Just wondered if anyone can confirm.

After some exhaustive research I have ordered a VCDS lead and decided to have a poke about in the ECU (Any advice appreciated)!!

Also, while on the subject. What difference is there between the sharewear VCDS lite and a registered version as far as what you can and can't do? Is it worth shelling out for a licence?

Here is what my headlights do:

Ignition turned on:

Switch in off position, side lights on, headlights on, tale lights on, dash needles only, (all lights go off with ignition)

Switch in sides position, side lights on, headlights off, tale lights on, dash full, (lights stay on regardless)

Switch in full position, side lights on, headlights on, tale lights on, dash full, (all lights go off with ignition)

Edited 20 November, 201114 yr by 61 Octy

Firstly a non genuine 'VCDS' lead will not work on your car, so the issue about shareware V's registered is irrelevant (genuine Ross-Tech interfaces get activated automatically.

It sounds the dealer has set up the car to use the dipped beam (at a lower output setting maybe) as the DRL's? go back to them and request them to change the DRL's to the specific DRL bulbs (the ones on the outside of the front fog lights )

If the dealer is unwilling to do this FOC (they can make certain changes to your spec on the PDI) then look in the VCDS Owners Map fot someone EXPERIENCED* who is local to you.

* The reason I say experienced is because certain lighting codes are hidden by a 'mask' (you cannot see the true coding) and if someone is unsure of what they are doing they may change the coding which will completely screw up all of the lighting settings!!

HTH

Firstly a non genuine 'VCDS' lead will not work on your car, so the issue about shareware V's registered is irrelevant (genuine Ross-Tech interfaces get activated automatically.

It sounds the dealer has set up the car to use the dipped beam (at a lower output setting maybe) as the DRL's? go back to them and request them to change the DRL's to the specific DRL bulbs (the ones on the outside of the front fog lights )

If the dealer is unwilling to do this FOC (they can make certain changes to your spec on the PDI) then look in the VCDS Owners Map fot someone EXPERIENCED* who is local to you.

* The reason I say experienced is because certain lighting codes are hidden by a 'mask' (you cannot see the true coding) and if someone is unsure of what they are doing they may change the coding which will completely screw up all of the lighting settings!!

HTH

I think you are right. When I look REALLY closely while switching the lights 'on & off' you can see a very slight dimming. My car doesn't have specific DRLs. Can you not use the side lights as DRLs instead of dipped beam?

As for the VCDS, you'll have to forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference (apart from £220) between a genuine ross tech and a 3rd party lead? The seller say's it will work with my car and ross tech say's the software will. I'm sure that there isn't 250 quids worth of electronics in the lead. So I'm guessing that the extra cash is going towards advanced software/technical support?? Ross tech obviously don't mind you using their software otherwise they wouldn't have released an open version.

What do you mean by masked? I haven't read anywhere about masked coding.

Like I said, you'll have to forgive my ignorance! I work in electronics/programming and this makes me naturally curious (geek alert!) Now I have a Skoda, I want to get the best out of it without having to shell out a fortune/rely on other people.

Willing to learn. Feel free to put me straight.

My car doesn't have specific DRLs. Can you not use the side lights as DRLs instead of dipped beam?

Do you have the fog lights in the bottom corners of the front bumper? If not then you are correct in saying you do not have dedicated DRL's as they are part of the fog light unit.

If so then you only have two options as you cannot use the sidelights:

1/ what you currently have - the amount they are dimmed can be adjusted with VCDS.

2/ turn the DRL's off completely (VCDS again and possibly maxidot if you have that fitted?)

As for the VCDS, you'll have to forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference (apart from £220) between a genuine ross tech and a 3rd party lead? The seller say's it will work with my car and ross tech say's the software will. I'm sure that there isn't 250 quids worth of electronics in the lead. So I'm guessing that the extra cash is going towards advanced software/technical support?? Ross tech obviously don't mind you using their software otherwise they wouldn't have released an open version.

Ross-Tech put an awful lot of R&D into their product, they release new updated software all of the time (every couple of months or so) and are constantly checking brand new cars to include any coding's that can be changed, their customer services (if you get any issues with coding etc) is second to none, they have a pretty comprehensive wiki site that helps users with DTC's and retro-fits etc

The 3rd party cable sellers are usually using a cheap Chinese copied lead, some will work, others wont, some even try to hack the Ross-Tech software so their cables will work on the latest software, they invariably always tell you to never update the software directly though! this tells you exactly what they are doing!!

Ross-Tech also actively pursue these hackers through the courts.

Saying that Ross-Tech "don't mind" is a bit of an understatement! but they realise people will usually try the cheap way 1st to give them a taster of what can be done - the shareware version of their software however limits you quite a bit in what you can change, I believe (I have never owned a non genuine interface, so I cannot say for 100% certainty) they limit you to basic scans and clearing faults, many codes (any??) cannot be changed without the 'real deal'

IMHO using hacked / cloned / stolen - call it what you like software from a multi billion $ company like Microsoft / Apple etc is one thing (not saying this is right or acceptable though!) but to do it to a much smaller company who is actively updating and improving it's product all the time is a different kettle f fish altogether.

Yes £260 is not cheap for 'just a cable and licence' but now look at at how much this type of software will cost you for another marque like Ford/BMW etc, you can add at least another naught onto the price!

What do you mean by masked? I haven't read anywhere about masked coding.

The 'masked code' is a code that shows as being for example 00 whereas it's true code is actually 45 etc, this is fine if you know what code works 100% of the time, but if for any reason you need to change the code back to the factory setting (for example if the new code was incorrect) then you are knackered as you don't know what the true code was,changing it back to 00 will not put it back to the way it left the factory!

Sorry for the long 'rant' but the issue of using pirated VCDS software is frowned upon by many on here, other forums are less scrupulous and have fewer/no morals this may also be why Ross-Tech have several members on here so help is always at hand.

Thanks Gizmo, that all makes sense. Still can't justify shelling out £260 just before Xmas though. Maybe I'll figure out what I want doing, see what I can and can't do (If anything) with this cheapo lead, then maybe find someone around Oxford with a proper one. Once it's set up how I want it (single click locking etc), I'll prob not use it again!

Thanks mate.

Ross-Tech put an awful lot of R&D into their product, ........

Thanks Gizmo. And you are correct. One of the reasons we continue to view and support this forum is because people like you understand our problem and understand what it is we try to do. That others would steal our efforts and make money shows two things: first, the morals of this world vary a lot and second, they recognize quality and want to benefit by stealing and then selling their knockoffs of our hard work. Maybe we should be flattered. Mostly we are just plain angry that we can't get at these guys in Russia, China, Bulgaria and other places. Where we can, we pursue them. Three have spent time in jail for selling illegal products. Many web sites get ripped down because of our efforts.

So, Gizmo, thanks for the rant. We support your rant and could not have said things better.

And since today is our holiday of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for those that have morals like Gizmo. We give thanks to all who support our development work by buying the genuine product. We give thanks to all who sent information to us to help us build the best aftermarket VAG diagnostic tool available at a price most can afford.

Edited 24 November, 201114 yr by bearthebruce