Which diagnostic tool

[donboon]

I’ve just got my first VW commercial but it’s not my first rodeo. It’s the 2015 T5 California 2.0l Blue Motion Auto. There’s lots of mods and alterations I want to do such as improve headlights. I’m considering replacing the units preferably with LEDs and some advice would be welcome. From my limited research, this will require the right tool to register it; and some help from fellow experienced members.
Has anyone some advice please?

 

[WelshGas]

I’ve just got my first VW commercial but it’s not my first rodeo. It’s the 2015 T5 California 2.0l Blue Motion Auto. There’s lots of mods and alterations I want to do such as improve headlights. I’m considering replacing the units preferably with LEDs and some advice would be welcome. From my limited research, this will require the right tool to register it; and some help from fellow experienced members.
Has anyone some advice please?

Depending how much coding you want to do VCDS from Ross Tech, only runs in Windows, is the Ultimate ( £250 ) followed by Carista/OBDeleven which have some limitations compared with VCDS but are cheaper.
Although some members do carry out such modifications , more likely " California" specific there is a lot more info and members carrying out "Transporter" modifications eg headlights etc over on the T6 Forum that caters for T5 upwards or the T4 forum that also caters for T5.

 

[Perfectos]

Regarding LED headlights, i believe there are numerous plug and play versions available. A Google search will throw up many options.

Some "may cause" bulb errors warning!

Here are a couple to get you going

VW T5.1 Lighting - Vee Dub Transporters

Transform your VW T5.1 into something spectacular with our range of high quality Front, Rear & Side Lighting! Join 1000's of happy customers.

www.veedubtransporters.co.uk

VW T5.1 LED Type-RS DRL Performance Headlight 2010-15 - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

 

[WelshGas]

Regarding LED headlights, i believe there are numerous plug and play versions available. A Google search will throw up many options.

Here are a couple to get you going

VW T5.1 Lighting - Vee Dub Transporters

Transform your VW T5.1 into something spectacular with our range of high quality Front, Rear & Side Lighting! Join 1000's of happy customers.

www.veedubtransporters.co.uk

VW T5.1 LED Type-RS DRL Performance Headlight 2010-15 - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

I believe those are just LED DRL's not LED for main and dipped headlights.

 

[Perfectos]

I believe those are just LED DRL's not LED for main and dipped headlights.

I think if full LED headlights were available they may be illegal on that vehicle. Same as LED headlight bulbs

Anyone switched the headlights of a T5 to something better?

I was just wondering if anyone has upgraded their T5 headlights? I tend not to drive much at night but last year driving to the Alps it was a nightmare in pouring rain at night on French motorways that had no lighting or cats eyes. I could barely see a thing. I think I ahd to use my fog lights...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We had retrofit headlight units with ‘illegal’ LED bulbs our our 2012 Beach; cost approx £550 fitted at Bognor Motors. Made a big difference.

On our 2015 Joker we just fitted the Philips LED bulbs, also great and a fraction of the cost. It’s also worth switching sidelights etc otherwise you might up with mix of white / yellow lights.
Don’t change the indicator bulbs for LED, as will generate a warning light and double speed click sound when in the vehicle (although externally indicators work as usual at correct speed!); Cost approx £40:

Philips Ultinon Access LED car... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHX6TQV3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

LED replacement bulbs are allowed within some other countries within Europe (including safety obsessed Germany), they are illegal in the UK, but you will be able to see where you are driving at night.

Both our van passed MOT’s with no issues, and never got flashed by other vehicles in the UK or in France.

Would try switching the bulbs first and see how you get on.

 

[Perfectos]

We had retrofit headlight units with ‘illegal’ LED bulbs our our 2012 Beach; cost approx £550 fitted at Bognor Motors. Made a big difference.

On our 2015 Joker we just fitted the Philips LED bulbs, also great and a fraction of the cost. It’s also worth switching sidelights etc otherwise you might up with mix of white / yellow lights.
Don’t change the indicator bulbs for LED, as will generate a warning light and double speed click sound when in the vehicle (although externally indicators work as usual at correct speed!); Cost approx £40:

Philips Ultinon Access LED car... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHX6TQV3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

LED replacement bulbs are allowed within some other countries within Europe (including safety obsessed Germany), they are illegal in the UK, but you will be able to see where you are driving at night.

Both our van passed MOT’s with no issues, and never got flashed by other vehicles in the UK or in France.

Would try switching the bulbs first and see how you get on.

The U.K. stance on LED retrofit makes no sense , particularly when the benefits far outweigh any negatives used to justify banning LEDs in the U.K.

 

[SanderR72]

I have LED bulbs fitted at the front for my 2015 T5 Cali.

Mine is one without separate lenses/bulbs for high/low beam. It does have DLR. I even replace the turn signals.

I did notice getting flashed a few times in France last week but as the Cali tends to “sit down” at the rear, that could be easily solved by using the headlight height switch and lowering them a bit.

All ordered from French company LedPerf ledperf.com. No problems with OBD either.

If interested let me know and I will lookup the article numbers.

 

[WelshGas]

The U.K. stance on LED retrofit makes no sense , particularly when the benefits far outweigh any negatives used to justify banning LEDs in the U.K.

Benefits for whom, blinding on coming drivers ? you should always drive safely and if you have weak headlights then that means slowing down.

 

[Louis II]

The U.K. stance on LED retrofit makes no sense , particularly when the benefits far outweigh any negatives used to justify banning LEDs in the U.K.

I don’t think there’s anything to stop you retrofitting led headlights, just that it’s expensive because doing it properly means you need to replace the whole unit with an approved aftermarket one. My understanding is that LED bulbs need a different reflector so just replacing the bulbs results in an illegal/dangerous beam pattern. Seems entirely sensible to me.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

My understanding is that LED bulbs need a different reflector so just replacing the bulbs results in an illegal/dangerous beam pattern. Seems entirely sensible to me.

Beam test is carried as part of an MOT.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

[

I have LED bulbs fitted at the front for my 2015 T5 Cali.

I did notice getting flashed a few times in France last week but as the Cali tends to “sit down” at the rear, that could be easily solved by using the headlight height switch and lowering them a bit.

Did you have the stick on beam deflectors fitted whilst in France?

 

[WelshGas]

Beam test is carried as part of an MOT.

Doesn't matter. If involved in an accident at night the Insurance company could void your Insurance because you could have fitted the non- legal LED bulbs post MOT and you would have to prove that the MOT tester had carried out the test with the LED bulbs in place , which would have been contrary to the regulations.

 

[SanderR72]

[

Did you have the stick on beam deflectors fitted whilst in France?

I have a LHD so no I don’t.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I have a LHD so no I don’t.

The Philips bulbs are approved for use in France & Germany:

Ultinon Pro6000 LED | Philips

Enjoy an unprecedented driving experience with Philips road legal LED headlight bulbs with up to 230 brighter light and a daylight like white beam

www.philips.com

 

[donboon]

Thank you all for your replies. I’m aware replacing halogen for LEDs is illegal and I’m the first to complain when they blind me. I was hoping there might be a straight forward replacement headlight unit that uses LEDs. It’s expensive I know but a safer route. Failing that there are some LED kits that fit alternative headlight units that work without failing the M.O.T. So anyone with advice please.
Going back to the question of which diagnostics tool would deal with fitting a replacement headlight unit. It’s because I was told that changing some parts, headlights included, required registering with an engine management unit or some kind of ECU?
I know diagnostic tools will read and some reset faults but although I’m not familiar with VW I can understand that it might be necessary to teach the management system about a different device that’s being fitted especially especially when it’s likely to affect variables such as resistance and voltages.

 

[donboon]

I have LED bulbs fitted at the front for my 2015 T5 Cali.

Mine is one without separate lenses/bulbs for high/low beam. It does have DLR. I even replace the turn signals.

I did notice getting flashed a few times in France last week but as the Cali tends to “sit down” at the rear, that could be easily solved by using the headlight height switch and lowering them a bit.

All ordered from French company LedPerf ledperf.com. No problems with OBD either.

If interested let me know and I will lookup the article numbers.

Thanks for advice, please let me know the details.

 

[donboon]

Depending how much coding you want to do VCDS from Ross Tech, only runs in Windows, is the Ultimate ( £250 ) followed by Carista/OBDeleven which have some limitations compared with VCDS but are cheaper.
Although some members do carry out such modifications , more likely " California" specific there is a lot more info and members carrying out "Transporter" modifications eg headlights etc over on the T6 Forum that caters for T5 upwards or the T4 forum that also caters for T5.

Thanks for helping and I support your arguments about illegal LEDs. I don’t have Windows anymore although my Mac will and can operate both it’s not worth the hassle of constantly updating. £250? Well worth it if it does the job. Can you consider any similar devices that run on IOS. I do have an android tablet (Honor 9) but it doesn’t run windows as far as I know.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for helping and I support your arguments about illegal LEDs. I don’t have Windows anymore although my Mac will and can operate both it’s not worth the hassle of constantly updating. £250? Well worth it if it does the job. Can you consider any similar devices that run on IOS. I do have an android tablet (Honor 9) but it doesn’t run windows as far as I know.

I'm no expert but OBDeleven seems to be the favoured Diagnostic tool after VCDS followed by Carista on the T6 Forum where members seem to be more into coding changes of the Transporter electronics.

 

[SanderR72]

Thanks for advice, please let me know the details.

Before you would order any, check out what type of headlight you really have. Halogen single lens, dual lens or even Xenon.

I have halogen single lens.

DLR: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/pack-led-...wagen-multivan-transporter-t5-wit-p-5688.html

Headlights: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/high-pow...it-for-vw-multivantransporter-t5-p-13463.html

Low beam

High beam

Side lights: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/pack-sid...olkswagen-multivan-transporter-t5-p-3690.html

Difficult to see:

Indicators: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/pack-front-led-turn-signal-for-vw-multivantransporter-t5-p-7316.html

I also have some rear number plate lights, no picture: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/pack-led-...olkswagen-multivan-transporter-t5-p-3691.html

Instructions for mounting come with it but are partly in French but with pictures. It is a bit of fiddling as space is tight.

 

[SanderR72]

I'm no expert but OBDeleven seems to be the favoured Diagnostic tool after VCDS followed by Carista on the T6 Forum where members seem to be more into coding changes of the Transporter electronics.

From what I saw on the respective websites, both OBDEleven and Carista come with an app for iOS.

 

[WelshGas]

From what I saw on the respective websites, both OBDEleven and Carista come with an app for iOS.

And Android. I run Carista on an iPad and a Samsung S10. Carisra works well with both operating systems.

 

[donboon]

Once again thank you for your advice. My apologies but being my first I’m probably mixed up with names. I stated mine van was a California but it seems it’s the SE. Now they might both be the same or similar but eventually I’ll get it right. With that sorted perhaps your advice may change.

 

[WelshGas]

Once again thank you for your advice. My apologies but being my first I’m probably mixed up with names. I stated mine van was a California but it seems it’s the SE. Now they might both be the same or similar but eventually I’ll get it right. With that sorted perhaps your advice may change.

There are 2 California models of your era.
SE , full camper with kitchen wardrobes etc.
Beach, 2 or 3 seater with pop up roof, not hydraulic, and NO kitchen or wardrobe.
Both have roof beds and a bed downstairs using the seats.

 

[donboon]

I'm no expert but OBDeleven seems to be the favoured Diagnostic tool after VCDS followed by Carista on the T6 Forum where members seem to be more into coding changes of the Transporter electronics.

I’ve just looked at the OBDeleven and it appears to use credits, in other words subscriptions. I get the reasoning due to licensing and Intellectual Property Rights but that’s why I’d rather buy a full set of spanner’s than pay rental on an adjustable. The trick is to know the full extent of our needs and buy accordingly. Fortunately there are many people willing to share and exchange their knowledge so I’ll eventually get the tool that’s most appropriate for my abilities and needs.