Retrofit auto headlight switch for T6.1

[Drive Wayne]

The T6.1 i drive has no extras the front bumper is the default one rear aswell, it has wired android-auto/carplay just the basics no front sensors and no reversing camera.

So in terms of that a poverty one!

I have a 6 speed gear knob with a 5 speed box! Bad ennit!

 

[Rioja John]

Mines also a Startline Wayne.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I have those automatic lights that dip the head lamp beam for oncoming traffic worst thing ever no good at all on twisty up and down roads so I never have mine on auto only ever use manual where one can fine tune dipping or going back to main beam exactly when it needed. One can better anticipate either need. Auto also takes far too long to re light main beam so one is travelling at speed whilst not having the best lighting available.

The other poor thing is that the selector stark for dipping and main beam is awkward at times and no where near as good as cars from the past. LED lights might be better than Halogen H4 ect but no where near as god as HID lights particularly bendy ones which was a bit of a disappointment. The LEDS do not give enough spread, basically the box of light is like a post box hole and its too small on main on wiggly road on wet nights I feel they are poor on dip beam they are only adequate. I can only imagine what peoples Halogens might be like but having said that have used halogen in the past obviously and they were not as bad as the ones seam to be like reported on here. Certainly The Dacia Duster after realigning headlamps myself against a wall and new dip beams was not bad at all. So will replace the main beams bulbs sometime also. So I imagine it is not the technology but manufacturing design and production that is the big let down on the T6 clan .

 

[dubber36]

LED lights might be better than Halogen H4 ect but no where near as god as HID lights particularly bendy ones which was a bit of a disappointment. The LEDS do not give enough spread, basically the box of light is like a post box hole and its too small on main on wiggly road on wet nights I feel they are poor on dip beam they are only adequate.

I'll go along with some of that. We have a Tiguan with Matrix LED headlights. They are extremely clever in the way they can stay on main beam and just mask the areas that other vehicles are in. They are good in that you don't get the transition from main beam to dipped when there is other traffic, which is easier on the eyes as they don't need to adjust to the change in light. However, they don't have the outright power of the bendy HIDs on my 5 series.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I'll go along with some of that. We have a Tiguan with Matrix LED headlights. They are extremely clever in the way they can stay on main beam and just mask the areas that other vehicles are in. They are good in that you don't get the transition from main beam to dipped when there is other traffic, which is easier on the eyes as they don't need to adjust to the change in light. However, they don't have the outright power of the bendy HIDs on my 5 series.

I unfortunately have never driven behind matrix LED lighting. They appear bliss, you are fortunate safe lighting is so very important I am sure it is a big improvement on old fashioned lighting systems. I have been contemplating the purchasing, (typical of me like to consider every point and then procrastinate even further), LAZER Lamps more expensive, long strip LED lighting bars. Some have intelligent dipping facility to prolong the ignition of the light with progressive switch off cells as a vehicle approaches. Its all achieved by sensors the light bar then after a short spell reignites the dimmed LED cells to continue with full light. they have a couple of different types available and I have seen multiple Videos of how the work in practice. Possibly not quite as good as Matrix lights but very good all the same.

Linear-18 Elite with i-LBA

Combination of 48 high efficiency LEDs deliver exceptional lighting performance Low Beam Assist mode provides superior short/mid-range visibility Integrated photoelectric sensors detect oncoming traffic and obstacles so that light output responds to surroundings in Low Beam Assist mode 5000K LED...

www.lazerlamps.com

Triple-R 1250 Elite with i-LBA

Combination of 36 high efficiency LEDs deliver exceptional lighting performance Ultra-reflective vacuum-metallised optics deliver perfectly tuned beam pattern for everyday road use Low Beam Assist mode provides superior short/mid-range visibility Integrated photoelectric sensors detect oncoming...

www.lazerlamps.com

Triple-R 1000 Elite with i-LBA

Combination of 26 high efficiency LEDs deliver exceptional lighting performance Ultra-reflective vacuum-metallised optics deliver perfectly tuned beam pattern for everyday road use Low Beam Assist mode provides superior short/mid-range visibility Integrated photoelectric sensors detect oncoming...

www.lazerlamps.com

The usual problem with auxiliary lights is that when switching off along with dipping more or less dumps one in the dark, an experience which is amplified on those very common wet nights. This often made worse on twisty forestry roads with light absorbing conifers lining the way. Driving in those conditions on minor roads is a very different experience to driving on straighter A roads. No cats eyes, usually no road markings or edge linings and frequently torturous in some areas. Which is great when your the only vehicle for miles.

I think that lighting has come a long, long way from the early days of mounting 4 Super Oscars, very good in their day but a single or pair of modern LED Bars particularly with ILBA would far exceed them not only with maximum light output but spread out and controlled and with the effective dipping facility far safer too.

 

[dubber36]

The problem that I can see with the iLBA Lazers is that even if they 'dip' for other traffic, they will still appear as an ignited auxiliary lamp, so even if others are not dazzled by them, oncoming drivers may give you a face full of their main beam thinking that you haven't dipped.

 

[Kind of Blue]

The problem that I can see with the iLBA Lazers is that even if they 'dip' for other traffic, they will still appear as an ignited auxiliary lamp, so even if others are not dazzled by them, oncoming drivers may give you a face full of their main beam thinking that you haven't dipped.

I find I get full beam in the face anyway because people are slow to dip or do not even now how and I gave an account of that a year or so ago some behind did not even know what dipping was I physically had to show how to do it and walked away with a charming smile. Most people also tend to drive around with FOG lights on now also though may claim its daylight lighting so why is it on in No Daylight. The Intelligent dip lamps may transgress law possibly would have done in the past though they claim to going through a process. A process that seemingly appears to take its time. Did you look at any U tube video of them.

 

[Hann2001]

So that you when the sun is out your headlight are turned off and when you go in a tunnel your headlight will turn on automatic.

And android auto or carplay will have a white screen instead of dark when your headlights are on!

I know this is an oldish post...... But thanks for the info you supplied. I ordered the same and works fine also on my T6.1 not yet worked out why the screen on the head unit still Dims though, any thoughts?

 

[JustGllenn]

I know this is an oldish post...... But thanks for the info you supplied. I ordered the same and works fine also on my T6.1 not yet worked out why the screen on the head unit still Dims though, any thoughts?

Hey @Hann2001

I have not had that issue with the headlight switch.

Could it be that with android auto / carplay settings you have it set to dark and not automatic?

 

[Hann2001]

Hey @Hann2001

I have not had that issue with the headlight switch.

Could it be that with android auto / carplay settings you have it set to dark and not automatic?

Think its set to Auto.... Need to have a Play, sure there was a setting on the head unit but can't find it!!

 

[Pedro20001]

On the basis of this thread I ordered one about 10 days ago and it came today, fitted and so far so good , fits well and feels ok build quality. Function wise everything works straightaway so we shall see

 

[Drive Wayne]

Thank you @JustGllenn fitted the auto switch today to my 2021 T6.1 and the auto lights work perfectly with no error codes or switch lights off warnings.
Really pleased with the result.

Thanks @Rioja John and @JustGllenn , I've just ordered one of these!

 

[JustGllenn]

Dont be like me i was working on the dashboard, had the switched removed let it fall on the ground while cleaning now i need to order a new one

But glad i could have been of help @Drive Wayne

 

[Rioja John]

@Drive Wayne Hi Wayne mine does come up with the turn lights off now and again especially at night if I open the van up but once the van is locked they switch off pretty quickly.

 

[Pedro20001]

Im really impressed with mine, I did reorder one with the sensor on a lead as I found the light on / off better controlled as the integrated one was most in the shade so dip beam was coming on in the daytime

 

[Chris19]

Im really impressed with mine, I did reorder one with the sensor on a lead as I found the light on / off better controlled as the integrated one was most in the shade so dip beam was coming on in the daytime

This is exactly what I'm looking for @Pedro20001. Do you have a link to switch with the sensor on a lead? I assume you just mount it on the dash?

 

[Pedro20001]

Hi buddy, yes just put the sensor on the dash ( out of sight when driving near the screen. I used one from aliexpress

 

[Drive Wayne]

Pleased to report the new switch (without lead) has gone in today without issue even on my ancient 2020 6.1. Works well.
Nothing on the display but Carista does come up with a new resettable lights error, but no angry lights on dash... Jobsagoodun. Thanks folks!

 

[Greybeard]

Im really impressed with mine, I did reorder one with the sensor on a lead as I found the light on / off better controlled as the integrated one was most in the shade so dip beam was coming on in the daytime

Appears the integrated one works exactly as the OEM on my Highline T6!

 

[dubber36]

Appears the integrated one works exactly as the OEM on my Highline T6!

With the exception of not turning the headlights on in the rain.