Chinese Passat LED tail light retrofit

compu_85 · May 15th, 2012, 15:29

I have secured a set of Chinese market LED tail lights. I'm going to document the install in this thread. I'll start off by saying these will not be plug and play on a US market car.

So let's take a look at the fixtures:

No flash:

Flash:

Like the US lights they have side reflectors; however there is no side marker light.

The inner fixtures have the "eyebrow" of LEDs and a ring around the middle, the middle, and on the driver's side a rear fog light (LED). The outer fixtures are similar but have a turn signal bulb and reverse light bulb.

Pinouts
Outer:
(looking at the plug on the back of the fixture, key up)

Code:

5 3 1
6 4 2

Code:

1 - Eyebrow & Rim +
2 - Eyebrow, Rim, & Inner +
3 - LED Ground
4 - Turn Signal +
5 - Bulb Ground
6 - Reverse +

Inner:
(looking at the plug on the back of the fixture, key up)

Code:

3 1 
4 2

Code:

1 - Eyebrow & Rim +
2 - Ground
3 - Inner +
4 - Rear Fog + (N/C on Passenger side)

Here are pictures of the lights in operation!
Rear Fog:

Inner:

Eyebrow & Ring (inner is not lit)

Turn signal:

Reverse light:

Eyebrow + ring (inner is not lit):

And finally, all the LEDs on the outer fixture:

Additionally, here is some info on the connectors on the back of the fixtures:

Code:

Inner 3Pin:
US Car Harness: 7N0 972 703
Opposite: 5K0 972 713
Opposite Repair wire: 000 979 132 E (need 2)

Outer 4Pin:
US Car Harness: 7N0 972 704
Opposite: NONE :(

China outer:
Fixture Plug: 3C0 972 733
Harness Plug: 1J0 972 723
Harness Repair wire: 000 979 133 E

China Inner:
Fixture Plug: 1J0 972 732
Harness Plug: 1J0 972 722
Harness Repair wire: 000 979 133 E

I'm still gathering information on the proper wiring, and coding for the body control module. My intent is to make as few modifications / cuts to the car's wiring as possible. We'll see how feasible that is once I get some wiring diagrams.

Thanks,

-Jason

compu_85 · May 15th, 2012, 15:29

So this is going to be abbreviated for now.

For now I didn't want to spend $100 on connectors and repair wires, so I made my adapters with spades from autozone:

You can see how I tinned the end of the wire, and also cut a bit of it out. There are only 6 strands left. This is the perfect size to go into the harness connector. I potted the wires to the connectors with some hot glue, if I need to change it later I can use a heat gun to remove it.

{continued later}

compu_85 · May 15th, 2012, 15:29

Reserved for possible more pictures.

Niner · May 15th, 2012, 15:54

How much $$$ for those dealio's? $300? The dude selling those on vw whoretex is local to me, has family in Winnetka, CA, sister and Mom. me Likey!

IndigoBlueWagon · May 15th, 2012, 16:20

I'm surprised it took you this long to start modding. What's it been, two weeks?

Niner · May 15th, 2012, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndigoBlueWagon

I'm surprised it took you this long to start modding. What's it been, two weeks?

He was VCDS'ing tweeks the first free day he had off of work... in 3 or 4 days.

VeeDubTDI · May 16th, 2012, 08:22

Niner - double that $300 and then some. Just because they're Chinese doesn't mean they're cheap! These are the real deal VW tail lights.

Niner · May 16th, 2012, 08:30

I drive so slow and frugally that everyone passes me... plus, you trained me to drive as much as possible without using the brakes. I rarely drive at night much any more... sad... no one would really get much of a chance to see my fancy LED rear tail lights.

Just saying... YMMV, I'm not much of a night owl these days. But they sure do look nice.

VeeDubTDI · May 16th, 2012, 08:35

Sounds like you should be driving with the hazard lights on!

Depending on how you hook these up and code the module, you could have some wicked bright LED 4-way blinkers.

kydsid · May 16th, 2012, 08:37

That ain't cheap at all. Can't wait to see what this looks like on the car. I was just thinking last night that the Hyundai

in front of me had nice tail lights.

Niner · May 16th, 2012, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeDubTDI

Sounds like you should be driving with the hazard lights on!

Depending on how you hook these up and code the module, you could have some wicked bright LED 4-way blinkers.

Damnmit, about wrecked my screen with coffee and creamer! Not so early in the morning!

VeeDubTDI · May 19th, 2012, 12:58

Half and half.

Parking lights

Parking lights + brakes

compu_85 · May 19th, 2012, 13:06

The camera doesn't show how much brighter the LEDs are than the bulbs.

I'm not doing the full install for now... they just emulate the US lights. NO coding changes were required. How-to to follow.

-J

usarmy132 · May 19th, 2012, 15:51

Never thought I say that. But Chinese lights are great.

usarmy132 · May 19th, 2012, 19:21

Headlights look just as good