stangri

Hey folks, need a help from the experts (did a search for DRL and that's actually why I'm asking).

I have a Hungarian-American Mk2 TT and it came with the on/off DRL switch. A person at Canadian Tire told me that the switch has to be fixed so it's always on (non-switchable) as per Canadian requirements.

But then I read this:
Does it mean that on the Canadian model there's the same manual switch and you can actually turn the DRL off?

Or should I continue to frantically PM anyone with the VAGCOM in Vancouver to have it reprogrammed for DRL always on, despite the switch?

I've tried to see if I can just short-cut the cable which goes into switch and I've removed the fusebox panel on the left of the dashboard and two screws, but chickened out to try to pry the bottom part lose.

Thanks!

Regina_TTS

Hey Stangri,

Unlike the US and most other countries in the world, the Canadian Mk2 TT does not have a switch to manually turn the DRL's on or off. The only time they turn off is when you turn the headlights on. I assume whoever replied to you does not have a Canadian car or has had the switch replaced, whether they know it or not.

You have a couple of options.

Many people on this forum who have imported Audi's from the US have left the DRL's turned on using the switch for their federal inspection and have passed. It sounds like the inspectors (Canadian Tire) are getting wise to this if they have told you you need to have the switch "fixed so it's always on."

The other option is to go get the DRL's turned on by having an Audi tech change the settings to "Canada".

I have messed around with VCDS (VAG-COM) with both the Mk2 TT and more recently the TTS. (Ironically, I wanted to turn off the DRL's on my Mk2 TT.) For the headlights (Central Electronics) VCDS uses the long coding helper. Unfortunately there were no settings labelled to adjust the headlights when I attempted. Hopefully it has been updated, but if it hasn't, an Audi dealer can do it for you.

Personally, I would just turn the DRL's on with the switch and cross my fingers in the inspection. If it passes, great! If not you still have time to get the car's software updated to the Canadian setting.

Either way, you've got a great car there. Good luck!

Tony

stangri

Tony, thanks for your prompt reply.

I went to the Blitzkreig Autowerks early in the morning and spent almost two hours there, while Shane was trying to reprogram the car to have DRL always on. He did set something to "Canada" instead of the "USA" but that didn't help and he was later advised by someone from the Audi Service Dept that besides the programming the switch has to be replaced.

However when I came to the dealership myself (Openroad Audi on Boundary & Lougheed) I was told that this can be done with programming only, can be done pretty quick, will cost $300+taxes, but can't be done right away due to the lunch break. So I've decided to risk it and go to inspection just with the switch on and go figure -- I passed (I was actually waiting in the line to pay longer than it took CT technician to look at the car).

Two people from the forum who I have contacted privately have offered to reprogram my car on Friday, which I think I will do just in case.

BTW, if you've read so far, can you suggest a place in North Burnaby to get the license plate covers/carriers? The ones from the US dealership cover the sticker on the bottom of the plate and I don't want to be pulled over over this. Should I just go to the Canadian Tire?

Thanks!

1move

iTrader: (1)

So just to put in my 2 cents on this. The new Audis imported from US with the DRL switch can not be re-programed without bypassing the switch. To bypass the switch you need to Push in your light switch when it is in the Off Position or Position 0 (Light switch not the DRL switch) Once it is in Twist it clockwise and then pull it out the entire assembly will come out this will get you access to the drl switch wiring which then you can pull the two clips appart and take it out of the same hole and then bypass it. Hope this helps!

stangri

Wow, thanks alot 1move for precise instructions. The switch does go in when it's in the O position, however I couldn't rotate it counter-clockwise (was afraid to push too hard and break it). Do the positions of the dash brightness switch and the DRL switch matter when trying to pull back the whole switch assembly? Or should I just apply more force to turn the main light switch counter-clockwise?
thanks!

Regina_TTS

I hadn't heard about that "trick" to remove the switch.

If you are concerned about breaking the switch, there are only 6 bolts that hold the trim panel that surrounds the switch in place. (In the fuse panel on the side of the dash with the door open and below in the foot well.) Remove that and you can access or remove the headlight switch.

Like I said in an earlier post, I installed the European switch in my 08 3.2 and later reinstalled the Canadian switch. Redundancy is awesome!

1move

iTrader: (1)

Sorry Its Clockwise not counter clockwise! My bad...... Also make sure you remove the Fuse box cover by the driver doors. Once you Push the switch in then turn it clockwise simultaneously then pull on the tab to pull it out. Then there should be a clip holding in the trimming for the DRL switch and the Auto light shutoff switch as well remove the clip carefully and then pull it all out together. You can disconnect the wiring as long as you do not turn on the car while its disconnected

636Girl

I know this is an old old post... does this work on the MK1 as well (2004 TT)? I can push the switch in but haven't figured out how to get the fuse panel open yet to access the clip... (ok, I admit, I can't figure out where the fuse panel is... should be the left side of the dash but nothing over there looks remotely like it should come off)

1move

iTrader: (1)

that whole panel piece comes off, on the side. Use your key or a screw driver to pry it open

636Girl

apparently my new car and I are a make work project... thanks for the replies 1move. I have gotten at my switch and the wiring. i had a tech get me a wiring diagram that i can't figure out and am now trying to 'put power' to the park lights so that i can pull them out of the switch and wire them into an ignition wire.... until my tech can take a look at my handywork in a few weeks and add a resistor or some such if required.

any ideas which number or numbers of wires i need to pull out of the switch? there are about 15 - 20 of them nicely numbered...