Mod to turn Headlights on/off with ignition

[billyz]

Ok, I did search and really can't find a thread that answers my question.
Can the headlights be easily modified to turn and off with the ignition switch?
Like the DRL?

I left my lights on last night and had a dead battery today. Yes, I know I should retrain myself. So I don't think it helpful to criticize my post. I would like to know if it is possible and or has anyone done this ? BTW, it is a 2010 JSW tdi.

 

[dieselbreath]

Im not gonna criticize you, dude. But I find it hard to believe that VW dont shut off the headlights after a few minutes unattented. I thought all newer cars did that now! I know you can buy a disconnect that sits on top or next to your battery. And if it senses a draw on your battery for a long period it disconnects it. Then the next morning you would just have to reset the switch. Of course, then youll probably lose your radio presets, clock, and might even trip a light in the dash....

 

[TDI_Coast2Coast]

I have a 2010 as well and I always forget the lights. I can't remember the last car I had that didn't automatically shut the lights off.

They don't stay on full bright, but they do stay on. I have yet to see them go off by themselves. Definitely not within a few minutes(I've left them on for 30 minutes while in store and they were still on).

A mod for this would be nice.

 

[fleuger99]

Doesn't the car make a beep or chime sound when one opens the door without the key in the ignition and the head lights on? All my past VW's did including my 2008 R32.

 

[jnecr]

Doesn't the car make a beep or chime sound when one opens the door without the key in the ignition and the head lights on? All my past VW's did including my 2008 R32.

Yes, it's quite annoying and can't imagine how you would ever leave the car without hearing it...

 

[TDI_Coast2Coast]

Yes, it's quite annoying and can't imagine how you would ever leave the car without hearing it...

Tinnitus. My father can't hear a tea pot whistle most times. If it's a high pitched sound(like a woman's voice), and it's not louder than the ringing, I don't hear it .

 

[mo_focus]

once you shut the car off the head lights go off, but city lights, rear lights and gauge lights still remain on. Wife forgot the lights on once but i also think VW does shut off the lights after 20 min. SO really the car should had enough juice to be started. Maybe something else is wrong with it?

 

[fleuger99]

Tinnitus. My father can't hear a tea pot whistle most times. If it's a high pitched sound(like a woman's voice), and it's not louder than the ringing, I don't hear it .

That sounds safe, driving but unable to hear anything

 

[TDI_Coast2Coast]

That sounds safe, driving but unable to hear anything

Yeah, the ding that sounds when the lights are one constitutes my entire audible range... I was just giving an instance where the ding does not catch your attention.

Come to think of it, I guess since I have a bit of ringing in my ears from time to time, I'll just stop driving...Oh, you should turn off your radio I guess too, that impedes your ability to hear .

 

[fleuger99]

Oh, you should turn off your radio I guess too, that impedes your ability to hear .

That depends on how loud my music is playing!

 

[40X40]

Sorry, I don't know of a way to do what you ask.

I can help with the retraining though. Simply perform (whatever action you wish to make a habit) flawlessly and without fail several times daily for thirty days and it is yours forever.
It helped me make wearing a seatbelt an effortless habit many years ago...

Painless!

Bill

 

[np101]

I have left the lights on twice in the two plus weeks I've owned the car, but only briefly so I don't know if they go out in 20 minutes or not. I have a problem with this as well. My 15 year old integra--never left the lights on once because it had a warning beep that was different than all the other beeps.

The JSW has the same beeping tone for leaving the lights on, opening the door, undoing the seatbelt before removing the key or a number of other things, so I just get used to it beeping at me all the time and I tune it out. I guess I just have to learn new habits.

 

[billyz]

Thanks for the replies and not getting told I am a neanderthal for not being able to turn off the lights, ha ha.

I wondered how I could not see that they were on when I got out. So I checked tonight and they do switch to the lower power or ? drl ? So it was hard for me to notice at dusk that they were on. Yes, I am one of those who drives with my lights on at dusk. I would rather not have an accident, there are too many aggressive/phone talkers types around here. So, I am very defensive. BTW, I have been driving with my lights on for 20+ years and do not have premature bulb failures, 3-5 years at least.

As for the audible alert, well, My hearing must not be so good . At least it did not alarm me enough to check. I am 55+ and played loud rock music all my life.

Anyway, I do like this car and will learn to double check the light switch.

 

[maloosheck]

Can the headlights be easily modified to turn and off with the ignition switch?
Like the DRL?

What do you mean "Like the DRL"? So how do the DRLs in 2010 work?

 

[740GLE]

DLR just power the head lights full power no dimmer when the "headlights" are switched on (at least as far as i can tell and others have measured same current). The only thing the switch does is turn on the rear parking lights and your instrument/cabin lights.

The light output with headlight switch left on key out of ignition is actually quite dim compared to DLRs

 

[hammersc]

You couldn't hear a dump truck drive through a nitroglycerin plant.