Which diagnostic tool

[donboon]

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.

Mine is full camper with kitchen fridge and cupboards along nearside of van. It has the upper bed also. Two front seats (captain) that rotate.
It’s got cruise and parking sensors and 16 inch wheels.
One of the downsides I’ve found is it has a basic radio and cd player. No satnav. To cope with that I’ve bought a sit on dash 10” CarPlay with built in gps that works well on my Land Rover Discovery 4. However I’ve since been told I can buy a replacement unit for the radio although reviews don’t look good for the Kenwood.

 

[WelshGas]

Mine is full camper with kitchen fridge and cupboards along nearside of van. It has the upper bed also. Two front seats (captain) that rotate.
It’s got cruise and parking sensors and 16 inch wheels.
One of the downsides I’ve found is it has a basic radio and cd player. No satnav. To cope with that I’ve bought a sit on dash 10” CarPlay with built in gps that works well on my Land Rover Discovery 4. However I’ve since been told I can buy a replacement unit for the radio although reviews don’t look good for the Kenwood.

Absolut5 is a Forum member who specialises in the VW Transporter, on which the California is based, and are experts in Infotainment systems. They are very helpful and would advise on the best equipment within your budget. They can fit or send a full plug and play kit for your vehicle.

absolute new | VW T5/T6 Specialists

Absolut5&6 are VW T5 and T6 specialists. Approved VW and Pendle Performance Agents.

absolut5.co.uk

 

[donboon]

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-power-bi-led-conversion-kit-for-vw-multivantransporter-t5-p-13463.html

Low beam

High beam

Side lights: https://www.ledperf.co.uk/pack-sidelights-led-xenon-white-for-volkswagen-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.

Ok it does look like you’re using LEDs as replacements for halogen and these aren’t legal in UK. Probably not an issue elsewhere in EU but definitely a NoNo here in UK. At best I can use uprated halogens like Osram but without knowing I was hoping a different van might be compatible and more with modern times. The dealer who sold me the van has admitted using a later light module fitted with LED’s and whilst admitting they aren’t legal he also said they aren’t detectable and don’t cause light splintering. I’m simply too old to risk losing my license so I’ll consider his advice with caution.

 

[donboon]

Absolut5 is a Forum member who specialises in the VW Transporter, on which the California is based, and are experts in Infotainment systems. They are very helpful and would advise on the best equipment within your budget. They can fit or send a full plug and play kit for your vehicle.

absolute new | VW T5/T6 Specialists

Absolut5&6 are VW T5 and T6 specialists. Approved VW and Pendle Performance Agents.

absolut5.co.uk

Thank you. That’s really helpful and I can’t wait to contact them. My iPhone may be good but screen isn’t as big as I need for satnav.

 

[SanderR72]

Ok it does look like you’re using LEDs as replacements for halogen and these aren’t legal in UK. Probably not an issue elsewhere in EU but definitely a NoNo here in UK. At best I can use uprated halogens like Osram but without knowing I was hoping a different van might be compatible and more with modern times. The dealer who sold me the van has admitted using a later light module fitted with LED’s and whilst admitting they aren’t legal he also said they aren’t detectable and don’t cause light splintering. I’m simply too old to risk losing my license so I’ll consider his advice with caution.

Indeed, LED replacements for the halogen, but I’m based in the Netherlands and no issue here.

I believe there are complete replacement units (so including the glass etc) that are road legal, maybe even in the UK but that will be certainly another price category.

Or - if legal in the UK - go for a set of (LED) beams that are mounted in the grill. I think I saw a forum member having these, but can’t find the post, nor know whether is was a UK based member.

 

[SanderR72]

Thank you. That’s really helpful and I can’t wait to contact them. My iPhone may be good but screen isn’t as big as I need for satnav.

I’m confident that the absolute5 guys can give you good advice. I replaced my head unit with a cheap Android based unit that supports wireless Apple CarPlay. Works ok, still relatively small screen as it needs to fit in the original bay. One major flaw: the tilt of the screen makes it very reflective and hard to see depending on the sun outside.

Keep the latter in mind when you get other advice.

 

[donboon]

I’m confident that the absolute5 guys can give you good advice. I replaced my head unit with a cheap Android based unit that supports wireless Apple CarPlay. Works ok, still relatively small screen as it needs to fit in the original bay. One major flaw: the tilt of the screen makes it very reflective and hard to see depending on the sun outside.

Keep the latter in mind when you get other advice.

Screen reflection appears to be the common complaint. I’ve already bought the CarPlay unit so might be better to use that. At least I can alter the angle. Only concern is view blocking. Another capital punishment in the UK: for some.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

I think https://transporterhq.co.uk/ do full replacement units

 

[Louis II]

I think https://transporterhq.co.uk/ do full replacement units

Did you find any on there that use LED for the full / dipped beam as opposed to LED for the DRL + halogen bulbs for the full / dipped?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Did you find any on there that use LED for the full / dipped beam as opposed to LED for the DRL + halogen bulbs for the full / dipped?

You can choose the whichever bulbs you want in the drop down menu:

 

[Louis II]

You can choose the whichever bulbs you want in the drop down menu:

View attachment 140402

But I suppose if you pick the LEDs you’re back to square 1 with an illegal set up?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

But I suppose if you pick the LEDs you’re back to square 1 with an illegal set up?

Yes, you will be hunted down by the authorities!

Personally I would say that LED replacement headlight bulbs manufactured by a reputable company, with no blinding glare, which are road legal in other European countries present very little if no risk to other road users.

Some approved (non matrix) LED lights on recent cars seem far brighter. Some now even have full light bars across the grill,
Permanent driving/fogs lamps which are very distracting.

 

[donboon]

Did you find any on there that use LED for the full / dipped beam as opposed to LED for the DRL + halogen bulbs for the full / dipped?

Not yet but still looking. It’s probably best to start a new thread/topic on this. There is still one possibility. Some modern lights throw a flat beam instead of a wedge. These don’t splinter light so they could be a solution.

 

[donboon]

Yes, you will be hunted down by the authorities!

Personally I would say that LED replacement headlight bulbs manufactured by a reputable company, with no blinding glare, which are road legal in other European countries present very little if no risk to other road users.

Some approved (non matrix) LED lights on recent cars seem far brighter. Some now even have full light bars across the grill,
Permanent driving/fogs lamps which are very distracting.

Followed a Tesla last night and couldn’t tell what might happen next. A solid red bar across entire width. Only saw indicators but no brakes. No doubt using “I” pedal and regen for braking. Not good for us regulars

 

[donboon]

Sorry if my topic has diversed so I’m going to look deeper into other threads to learn more about diagnostic tools, if that’s at all possible with my level of memory. Fortunately with several grandchildren all driving I’ve a ready made encyclopaedia all using AI at my disposal.
So thank you all for trying to help

 

[pjm-84]

I would avoid the VCDS....I have this and its overly complicated compared to other products I've previously used. Very powerful but not required for the home DIYer