Hello!

 

REF: Skoda Octavia Elegance TDI Diesel 2009
Skoda Octavia Mk II (2004 - 2013)

 

I would like to change the rear fog lamp from right to left, or make both left and right work if possible. I need to do this, because I am exporting my car to the EU and a left hand side fog lamp is required for compliance and conformity.

 

Can anyone please confirm if this can be done and if so how?

 

I understand that the headlights can be adjusted for driving on the right, but need to find out about the rear fog lamp. Thanks very much for any advice!

I think that I did mine uisng VCDS, I might have configured it for both to light up as I still drive in the UK sometimes like now, too cold to go out and see. I am pretty sure that having noth sides working is not an issue.

 

A timely reminder though as I should do it to the Yeti which will soon be registered in France.

10 hours ago, J.R. said:

I think that I did mine uisng VCDS, I might have configured it for both to light up as I still drive in the UK sometimes like now, too cold to go out and see. I am pretty sure that having noth sides working is not an issue.

 

A timely reminder though as I should do it to the Yeti which will soon be registered in France.

 

Hi JR,

Thanks for your reply. Any chance you could confirm when you get a chance? I need to get my car registered asap.

It'll depend on what electronics are fitted as I think 2009 was a change over point.

- If it has a separate CECM and CCM, you can change the fog light config using VCDS or similar

- If it has the newer BCM, VCDS won't help. You'll need VCP or ODIS-e to switch the fog lamp or enable both. This applies to you too @J.R.

 

As for the headlights, they will have a travel mode but this doesn't swap the beam pattern from LHD ECE to RHD ECE or vice versa.

- In halogen headlights, travel mode is a lever inside the headlights to flatten the beam pattern

- In xenon headlights, the beam pattern doesn't change, instead the headlights drop to avoid glare

 

Really, you need to source the correct LHD headlights to avoid any issues...

44 minutes ago, langers2k said:

It'll depend on what electronics are fitted as I think 2009 was a change over point.

- If it has a separate CECM and CCM, you can change the fog light config using VCDS or similar

- If it has the newer BCM, VCDS won't help. You'll need VCP or ODIS-e to switch the fog lamp or enable both. This applies to you too @J.R.

 

As for the headlights, they will have a travel mode but this doesn't swap the beam pattern from LHD ECE to RHD ECE or vice versa.

- In halogen headlights, travel mode is a lever inside the headlights to flatten the beam pattern

- In xenon headlights, the beam pattern doesn't change, instead the headlights drop to avoid glare

 

Really, you need to source the correct LHD headlights to avoid any issues...

 

Hi Langers2K thanks very much for your reply. I will pass that on to the local Porsche/Skoda where I am. They have already confirmed that the headlights can be adjusted and even sent me a diagram of how they will do it. 20 minute job apparently. I am no expert, can you explain all the abbreviations you have used, if you wouldn't mind? Thanks.

CECM - Central Electronics Control Module

CCM - Comfort Control Module

BCM - Body Control Module

 

Older cars had various functions (including exterior lighting) shared between the CECM and CCM. Cars since around 2009 started using a BCM which combined the CECM and CCM functions into a single control module.

 

VCDS - VAG-COM Diagnostic System (3rd party diagnostic tool made by Rosstech)

VCP - VAG Can Pro (3rd party diagnostic tool made by VCPSYSTEM)

ODIS - Offboard Diagnostic Information System (Official diagnostic tool, comes in Service and Engineering version, the latter is more powerful)

 

VCDS, VCP and ODIS are all diagnostic tools. VCDS tends to be the most common but it can't make fine grained changes to the light configuration in certain cars. These include the FL MK2 Octavia, Yeti and any other car of a similar vintage. Instead, VCP and ODIS-e can make these changes. It'll just depend if your car uses a CECM/CCM or BCM to which you'll need.

 

As for the headlights, I think you'll end up with a flat beam pattern rather than a correct ECE LHD/RHD pattern. Few examples showing 'correct' beam patterns although the angle has been exaggerated:

RHD
\                    __
 \________     or      \______

LHD
         /                  __
________/      or    ______/

Or as pictures:

 

When halogen headlights are fitted, the problem is the levers don't switch between those two beam patterns. Instead, it'll convert from RHD to flat or LHD to flat much like the picture from a pre-FL MK2 below - this may not be good enough for compliance checks..

 

There is a guide here if you want to move the levers yourself, the MK2 FL is a similar procedure: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/280484-european-headlight-adjustment-octy-ii-pre-fl-halogen-lights/

 

 

With HID/xenon headlights, there isn't a lever so when 'travel mode' is enabled, it's only where the beam points that gets adjusted.

 

11 minutes ago, langers2k said:

CECM - Central Electronics Control Module

CCM - Comfort Control Module

BCM - Body Control Module

 

Older cars had various functions (including exterior lighting) shared between the CECM and CCM. Cars since around 2009 started using a BCM which combined the CECM and CCM functions into a single control module.

 

VCDS - VAG-COM Diagnostic System (3rd party diagnostic tool made by Rosstech)

VCP - VAG Can Pro (3rd party diagnostic tool made by VCPSYSTEM)

ODIS - Offboard Diagnostic Information System (Official diagnostic tool, comes in Service and Engineering version, the latter is more powerful)

 

VCDS, VCP and ODIS are all diagnostic tools. VCDS tends to be the most common but it can't make fine grained changes to the light configuration in certain cars. These include the FL MK2 Octavia, Yeti and any other car of a similar vintage. Instead, VCP and ODIS-e can make these changes. It'll just depend if your car uses a CECM/CCM or BCM to which you'll need.

 

As for the headlights, I think you'll end up with a flat beam pattern rather than a correct ECE LHD/RHD pattern. Few examples showing 'correct' beam patterns although the angle has been exaggerated:

RHD
\                    __
 \________     or      \______

LHD
         /                  __
________/      or    ______/

Or as pictures:

 

When halogen headlights are fitted, the problem is the levers don't switch between those two beam patterns. Instead, it'll convert from RHD to flat or LHD to flat much like the picture from a pre-FL MK2 below - this may not be good enough for compliance checks..

 

There is a guide here if you want to move the levers yourself, the MK2 FL is a similar procedure: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/280484-european-headlight-adjustment-octy-ii-pre-fl-halogen-lights/

 

 

With HID/xenon headlights, there isn't a lever so when 'travel mode' is enabled, it's only where the beam points that gets adjusted.

 

 

What can I say? That is brilliant. THANKS VERY MUCH! Much appreciated.

You wont encounter compliance problems with a flat beam, a kick up is desirable but not obligatory, if it has one it must be on the correct side and within the prescribed limits, I am speaking of France here and believe it to be true of other EU countries.

 

Practically, if your eyesight is not 100%, if the roads you drive are not well marked (where I live the markings are not reflective and usually eroded, no kerbs or lines and the fields encroach onto the roads) and especially if the lights are not good to start with like the MK2 pre F/L projector units you will find the investment in new leam units very worthwhile,

 

Langers, your comment Ipresume concerns my Yeti, I will look carfefully at the  clusters today, if there is nothing in VCDS then it will be a physical job.

40 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Langers, your comment Ipresume concerns my Yeti, I will look carfefully at the  clusters today, if there is nothing in VCDS then it will be a physical job.

 

Actually, I just looked at a VCP dump for a 2014 Yeti and I think there is only wiring for one fog lamp. Feel free to double check but I expect you'll need to run a new wire.

 

If you do it from the other fog lamp, you should get dual fogs assuming the BCM doesn't throw a lighting fault

Been out load testing batteries, the glacail conditions have defeated me, the foglamp wiring, the cut off switch for the towing lights relay and the adaption of an Octavia 2 variofloor will all have to wait, shame as they are all jobs that I would enjoy and have been looking forward to.

 

Lets just hope there is a bulbholder for the foglight on the LHS or one can be persuaded to fit.

I removed the LH cluster today, there is already a bulb fitted and I do recall now that the multiplug had one less cable in it so it will indeed be a case of running a wire from the other side with a connector pin on the end of it.

 

If it brings up a bulb failure warning then the OP and myself can simply remove the RH bulb.

7 hours ago, J.R. said:

If it brings up a bulb failure warning then the OP and myself can simply remove the RH bulb.

 

That'll work on your yeti but not the OP's Octavia as the fog lamp is a dual filament bulb that doubles up as the tail light 😉