Pochetemix

Good thread. I have bought an auto switch. Might try tomorrow with VAG-COM to see if I can code it in my base 957 Cayenne (MY2008, no dimming mirror, no confort light option).

Pochetemix

Quoting myself.

Yes, it works perfectly. @touareg , you're the man!!!

touareg

Very welcome, man I had more time on my hands for this stuff back then

Still working strong on my car!

tats

Just tried with my vcds on my 09 GTS Aussie spec and no option in byte 4 for assistance driving light. First bit is for daylight running lights. More detective work to come...

RSbob

Have a Canadian spec (headlights always on) 957 CS with the Auto function, which does nothing. Would love to have the DRLs on as intended (during the daylight hours) in Auto mode and headlights on at dusk/night. Any sleuthing on this would be appreciated.

Davebrossi

I was able to make the VCDSS system work for me as well (after a frantic email to Mr. Tourag as well followed up by an apology video since I figured it out myself.) In response to your post, RSbob, while you might not necessarily need a Vag-Com system (though it really -is- great) do you know if you've had any trouble with your rain sensing wipers system? I'm not bringing years of experience, but the sensor is responsible at least for triggering the auto setting on my vehicle (which I had to enable via VCDSS first, I also noticed a DRL box, but when checked just left my main headlamps on at all times) and I know that the sensor is not what I'd call a reliable partner in terms of operating as designed. That's a gorgeous 914 photo by the way :-D

V8 EVV

Hi all, I have a 2008 957 GTS without Auto lights but I do have auto wipers. I doubt I have auto dimming rear view mirrors though. The image below shows the sensor that I have. Apologies, I'm not very technical (I push a pen for a living), presumably I can buy the auto light switch and give Touareg's instructions to my Indy who can then code it using PIWIS?

tats

I have the same rain/light sensor with the manual mirror on my 2009 GTS.

I bought the auto switch from eBay and was able to change byte 4 coding as per the information above using a vag-com vcds. At last after several years I have the auto light on feature and have added a 15 seconds headlight delay for the coming home function. If your Porsche indy can't do it, maybe a VW/Audi guy can - the programming takes about a minute - select cent elec module 9, enter long coding, go to byte 4, enable bit 0 and I have 1, 3 and 5 enabled too.

Rob in VA

So I'm very interested in getting auto headlights on my truck. I don't have a fancy rear-view mirror (no rain sensing or dimming). If I understand correctly, I just need to buy this switch (7L5.941.531C) and then program the flag (ON Byte 04 Bit 0 Comfort Interior Lightning) and I should be good to go. I have the latest Durametric Enthusiast programmer.

Davebrossi

Hi Rob;
While the automatic headlight feature -is- part of the lights comfort package, it isn't controlled by the mirror, but rather the rain sensing wipers module. If you have basic rain sensing wipers, you have all the hardware outside the switch you'll need (meaning no upgraded module required.) You are correct in that you do need the switch with the 'auto' setting, and you will need to access the long coding section of the car's Central Electronics module. The only hitch I encountered vs. what you're proposing is that while I had the Durametric enthusiast cable as well, I had to purchase the VCDS system from Ross Tech in order to access software that enabled long coding to enable Byte 04, but also 1-3 (it's been about a year for me, bit rusty there, but the other features tie into the auto headlamp experience.) I hope you're able to access the same features via the Durametric software, I was not proficient enough with it to make it work as described. That said, once you carry out those two steps (switch and long code) on a 957, you -should- have auto on headlamps. I did not get it right the first time, but this did not destroy anything. I simply went in and disabled these byte locations, then re-enabled them. Good luck!

Rob in VA

Good intel - my 957 has the harness to attach to the mirror although the mirror in my truck doesn't have the rain board or a dimming mirror. I guess I'll need to do some exploring. Thanks Dave!

Davebrossi

No rain sensing wipers? awww man, I knew they nickel and dimed me on the awesome completely unnecessary and underwhelming ambient lighting, but my last VR6 base even had rain sensing wipers. The module for that mounts on the glass, resembles the dimensions of an early 90s beeper (yes I know what that is) and is supposed to be attached via a layer of RTV to the glass surrounded by nice bracket that holds it in place. Wiring snakes up to the overhead console area via a nice shroud. I have the memory of a gold fish these days, otherwise I'd be able to tell you where it connects from there. If it helps, the PET code for the rain sensing module is 955-618-518-03 which should help you in sourcing a unit. If you want to make the arrangement look pretty, the OEM wire shroud is in two pieces, 955-731-519-00-01C and 955-731-520-00-01C. I assume (which makes an *** out of me normally) that long coding may allow you to replace intermittent wipers with the on for rain sensing, but that's just me.

Rob in VA

My rear view mirror was missing the back plastic cover and the plastic conduit (955-731-520-00-01C) and presumably the rain sensor. Looks like the windshield was replaced at some point and maybe they didn't transfer it over? Got some things to sort out. But the other day I ordered a used mirror from ebay that included the back cover and conduit channel. Now I have to track down a used rain sensor? But that depends on if I can do the programming via durametric. Man, this is a lot of work/effort to just have the headlights turn on/off automatically. lol

Davebrossi

Actually I think that sounds like good news; you just have to replace the sensor, the Body Control Module probably still thinks its there. Which saves a step since it all can't be as easy as SQL queries, and means once the hardware's present you just have to long code (which, at least with VCDS software is navigating to the right window and clicking on a box to check an option then clicking 'go!') and you -should- have auto on headlamps...or maybe missiles will shoot from the headlamp washers? It does sound like someone swapped things over without really much care. I know my own rain sensor came unglued at some point but is held where it is by the plastic bracket that is bonded to the glass. I'm assuming, like you, the windshield got replaced but in my case they had the foresight to move the bracket over.

Crozzer

Dumb question; what does this do, exactly? And do we have separate bulbs for DRL?

on my 09 CTTS, I was able to turn on DRLs through a setting in the DIC.

I believe this turns on the normal headlight bulbs whenever the car is on. (Maybe if I apply the parking brake they turn off / cinema mode / haven’t checked).

I haven’t noticed dimming issues at night (I don’t have to turn the headlights “on” (again?) to dim the instrument lights, which I think is a thing with other cars (essentially the headlight switch becomes the “dim interior lights” switch.)


…so this auto headlight feature in this thread would just turn on the lights at night? Or what would it do?

Why do that instead of just click on DRLs using the DIC setting?


thanks!