I've only got the car for 3 days now (includes the Ambient lighting) and I notice that when it's bright outside, a number of elements like the LED stripes, the soft buttons on Columbus (Menu, Home, Vol -/+) and the footwell lights dim to zero brightness, despite being set to Max via the menu. As it gradually becomes dark they go brighter accordingly.

Can someone confirm this is a normal behaviour and whether another setting, like always set to a certain brightness level is possible either via the menu or VCDS? I understand this auto-adjust feature as a choice, but certainly you should be able to also choose a fixed brightness if you feel like it? The User Manual hasn't made me any wiser.

It doesn't actually dim down to zero - u just can't see its on.

Cover it up, or drive into an underground car park, and u'll c it's still on.

Ok but still my question is, does it only work in this setting of auto dimming based on the amount of daylight or you can set it to a fixed setting?

Also the auto dim, is it "time of day"  based or responding to external light in real time? Meaning If I drove into an underground parking at 10 am, would it suddenly light up?

On 23/02/2019 at 13:48, newbie69 said:

Ok but still my question is, does it only work in this setting of auto dimming based on the amount of daylight or you can set it to a fixed setting?

Also the auto dim, is it "time of day"  based or responding to external light in real time? Meaning If I drove into an underground parking at 10 am, would it suddenly light up?

You'll see the led strip if it's dark enough inside regardless of time. They are just not bright enough to be seen clearly in daylight. Not sure about the other lights as I never even thought about them during the day. 

So the way I read this is that they don't dim, but they are only bright enough to be seen when it's dark? Even if set at their max setting?

5 hours ago, newbie69 said:

So the way I read this is that they don't dim, but they are only bright enough to be seen when it's dark? Even if set at their max setting?

 

i believe so yes.

they're always on. 

 

however that said, there is an algorithm the car uses to determine if the instrument cluster lights r on or not (dimmed), based on a combination of the light sensors (outside RLS and in), and headlight switch position.

for example, sometimes in broad daylight, i can switch on the side lights, and my instrument cluster will remain light (on).  other times, again, in daylight, it will dim, which is annoying cause i prefer it on during the day.

overriding via vcds or vcp is not simple as there are about 30 plus adaptation channels that are specifically used for the ambient/interior lighting.  combined with the algorithms and light sensors - its very complex.

 

36 minutes ago, JR RS said:

 

i believe so yes.

they're always on. 

 

however that said, there is an algorithm the car uses to determine if the instrument cluster lights r on or not (dimmed), based on a combination of the light sensors (outside RLS and in), and headlight switch position.

for example, sometimes in broad daylight, i can switch on the side lights, and my instrument cluster will remain light (on).  other times, again, in daylight, it will dim, which is annoying cause i prefer it on during the day.

overriding via vcds or vcp is not simple as there are about 30 plus adaptation channels that are specifically used for the ambient/interior lighting.  combined with the algorithms and light sensors - its very complex.

 

Ok they're always on technically but then you suspect they dim based on the algorithm. It would make sense as I could bet it's just not the same brightness all the time, meaning it's not the external light that makes them visible or not but rather the car decides on how much light should be emitted. And from what you describe it;s not something easy to tweak so I'll just forget about it...

Mine (my17) are visible all the time. Obviously they don't seem so bright against ambient light but they defo don't dim. I run with the blue colour. Have you set the values in the infotainment. Car Settings. Background lighting. Either tap the light symbol to adjust all areas or tap the section you want to adjust.and then set the level.

Yep, I have done that, but they definitely dim based on external light, same thing on another MY18 at the dealership, I am so sure this is a VCDS setting so I am just hoping I find the relevant setting at some point, doesn't seem to be an in-car option.

A good idea probably would be to check whether the same thing happens on Golf/Passat, there it would be more possible that someone comes back with a solution.

Edited 25 February, 20197 yr by newbie69

Could you locate the ambient light sensor and physically darken it, maybe a bit of electrical tape or similar, the sensor would think it was dark and apply full power to the lights??

1 minute ago, SteHaworth said:

Could you locate the ambient light sensor and physically darken it, maybe a bit of electrical tape or similar, the sensor would think it was dark and apply full power to the lights??

Joking aside, I could try that just to confirm the dimming function though! I'll check the manual and see if it shows where the ambient light sensor is, the trouble with the manual is it's so segmented that you have to read it all to be sure you haven't missed anything. So many systems and often interlinked that a bit of the information on one function is in chapter, the rest somewhere else...
 

1 hour ago, Sagalout said:

Mine (my17) are visible all the time. Obviously they don't seem so bright against ambient light but they defo don't dim. I run with the blue colour. Have you set the values in the infotainment. Car Settings. Background lighting. Either tap the light symbol to adjust all areas or tap the section you want to adjust.and then set the level.

Just wondered, do you have your headlights on Auto or you switch them on/off yourself? I am thinking if interior lighting is tied to the headlights setting I could be on to something here...

Auto

Ok I was completely wrong then, good  

To me it doesn't make any sense that the ambient lighting would be dim in bright sun light and brighter when its dark, the opposite would make sense though. Like your phone screen, needs to be brighter during the day.

4 hours ago, SteHaworth said:

Could you locate the ambient light sensor and physically darken it, maybe a bit of electrical tape or similar, the sensor would think it was dark and apply full power to the lights??

 

as i mentioned earlier - the ambient lighting uses an an algorithm that utilises a number of different sensors, inluding the RLS (rain light sensor inside the windscreen), and the light switch position.

u can't just use electric/gafer tape and/or code it out via vcds.

 

FYI, in the 09-Central Electrics module, there are......

- 165 adaptation channels specific to "ambient lighting"

- 215 adaptation channels specific to "interior lighting"

 

so if you're feeling brave with VCDS - go for it

 

 

Edited 26 February, 20197 yr by JR RS