a4audi4fun

It's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the tool and the way the factory (Audi/VW) configures things. VAG makes cars for multiple markets around the world. Many of the components they use are common but must be configured for the particular market and legal requirements they want to meet. (world cars would be really expensive if the parts used were always unique to a specific geography, hence some of them are quite configurable).

Ref Windows down with keyfob - for the A3 it's module 46 (Comfort Electronics), bytes 03, 04 & 05. Look in that sheet under the Comfort System tab. When you use the VCDS tool itself, a little pop-up window shows to help you with whatever is changeable at that particular location.

VCDS allows you to make many of those changes, though some are disabled explicit or implicitly to meet those same regs. Dealers and/or the factory typically won't change anything as that means they now need to support the change etc. - the Audi user community however works in a far more co-operative fashion to try different things. Each of us then decides whether the benefit we get from a particular change exceeds the "non-supportedness" from the factory. I've been told by some folks that VCDS is far friendlier to use that the official VW Factory scanning tool.

When debating the cost of VCDS, think of it as "you diagnose 2 problems and you've paid the equivalent of two visits to the dealer". After that you are way ahead

tweev

Thanks for the pep-talk. Sorry, I've been dealing with annoying software issues both at work AND with my car. I guess I'm just getting grouchy

I looked at the sheet quickly but didn't see the choice to change the country code. Any ideas?

If I do get a vag com. I'm making a screen-shot walk through for everyone.

1move

iTrader: (1)

Just a quick question, does your A3 have a DRL switch by your lights? If this is the case you need to override that switch prior to programming. I know it was introduced in 2005.5 for the US market A4's not sure about A3's

tweev

It does. It has a setting just after 'off' that is labeled DRL. DRL work fine when it is there but I need them on when the switch is off.

How does one over-ride the switch?

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iTrader: (1)

Thats your problem, you need to purchase a Canadian part that is for the home coming feature which disengages the switch. It can be bypassed by cutting the two wires going into the switch for the control of DRL's and shorting them out. Allowing you to bypass the switch than your coding should work either way as it is a safety system and it faults to ground so your DRL's will be on at all times no matter what the coding is.

If you buy the canadian switch then it will operate properly without the DRL function and your coding can be changed back and fourth.

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iTrader: (1)

I cant belive that this thread went on for this long without anyone mentioning that???

tweev

Don't forget - AND 3 trips to the dealer!! Ouch. I feel a little bad about wasting some very accommodating mechanics time.

Sounds like this job is over my head. Thanks for the information.

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iTrader: (1)

Also I will be in LA and driving through Santa Barbara in begining of August I can bring my Vag-Com and do it for you if you are in Santa Barbara

tweev

Arg - that would have been awesome but I think we are actually starting our drive up to Victoria on August first. I guess I'll just have to have it done at the Canadian dealer. I wanted to get it all done so the border was easy and we would just have to get our stamp and be done with it.

Too bad, it would have been fun to learn from an expert!

Hey, if you are into weird restaurants, go to this one in LA:
Bazaar Home | The Bazaar

Odd and expensive but pretty cool and the food is great. It's hard to get reservations so book soon if it interests you.

1move

iTrader: (1)

Any other recommendations/hook ups in that area? I am Driving in from Las Vegas to LA and then up to San Jose and San Francisco staying in hotels and checking it out along the way. You are welcome to private message me if you need any more help. The inspection can not be done at the border. I recommend checking Registrar of Imported Vehicles for information if you havent done so they need up to a 72 hour notice before you cross the border. There is an RIV office at the crossing depending where you cross and it speeds up the process quite a bit. Than you need an out of provice and out of country inspection when the DRL's are done, and then you can register. hope that helps and gives you a heads up.