Changing headlight switch to European version

[Pbrowne]

Another thread here complained about driving in snow with HID Xenon headlights, the ones that come with the Mk7 lighting package. In heavy snow or dense fog even the low beam (dipped) headlights make it difficult to see the road as you creep along trying to avoid guard rails and roadside ditches. In such circumstances, being able to run just fog lights is desirable. Unfortunately, VW provides the ability to only run the fog lights with the headlights on on US models. But there is a solution:

USP Motorsports (and others probably) sells the European heading switch. See http://www.uspmotorsports.com/European-Headlight-Switch-Euroswitch-MK7-GTI.html

There's also a YouTube video on installing the switch See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ir...cheAutoParts-YourSourceforEverythingVWandAudi

The switch isn't cheap, but IMHO it's very worthwhile. It's so easy to install that it seems like a no-brainer to make the change. Searching the internet shows that many VW owners have been doing this for years. At least VW has designed the switch to make this easy.

 

[Indrek909]

I agree, it's a must have.

 

[supernova_inc]

I ordered mine last week from USP. For some reason USPS shipped the package to Puerto Rico first but it should be here soon. USP has been great on customer service end, they weren't quite sure why USPS sent it there first but assured me we could file a claim if need be and send out a new one. Seems the mail finally get their stuff together. I am looking forward to getting this in!

 

[Vwfreak1]

Always had them in all my cars, it's a must have.

 

[flygteye]

This was my first mod when I got my GTI. Well worth the $$.

 

[SD_GTi]

Looking to order one myself. I've seen them range from $30-$50 Chinese versions to $120 OEM VW. Wondering if there is any difference?

 

[everlast556]

will the auto selection work if you have the base halogens or are the xenons needed for that? Rear fogs?

 

[DV52]

will the auto selection work if you have the base halogens or are the xenons needed for that? Rear fogs?

Everlast: the prime requirement for the auto mode to work is not the type of lamp, but rather whether the car has a light sensor.

As for your question about whether the fog-lights will work, this depend entirely on how many wires the car has in the loom that plugs into the rotary light switch. This is a 10-Pin connector (it's called "T10h" in VW's material). For the fog-lights to work, the loom in your car will need to have 9 x wires if a light sensor is installed and 8 wires if a light sensor is not installed.

I've included a wiring diagram for the rotary light switch in the pic below. As you can see, the crucial wire for the fog light is PIN-5 (T10h). If this wire is not in your car's loom, then it's all academic (unless you run a new wire)! In addition, if this pin is not populated, it's almost certain that the wires from the Body Control Module (i.e. BMC) to the front and rear fog-ights will also be missing. If anyone wants these circuit diagrams PM.

 

[the bruce]

 

[supernova_inc]

Essentially I would think if you do not have the "auto" option currently on your switch then no, the auto function will not work, but all the others should My switch is due in today but I already had auto function with my lamps. I will write up a quick review once I get it in regarding quality etc.

 

[everlast556]

is there a way to retro fit the auto sensor?

 

[carbongmk7]

wait so this switch will make it so i can run the fog lights without the headlights?

 

[Agorina]

wait so this switch will make it so i can run the fog lights without the headlights?

Yes, you will be able to run the fogs while the switch is in the city lights position.

 

[BxGTI]

wait so this switch will make it so i can run the fog lights without the headlights?

If you get it,buy it from Aliexpress I paid 39.99 shipped, the exact same thing no issues whatsoever with the light sensor by the way

 

[bayarea7]

If you dont AUTO already, the euro switch with the AUTO wont add the feature, and will possibly throw a code if you switch to it (like happened to me). There is a euro switch w/out the auto feature, which is what I should have bought in the first place.

You can retro fit an auto sensor to use with the euro switch with the auto. They make a kit, forgot which company.