VW Golf MK7 (5G): cup holder ambient light coding & wiring

How to retrofit DIY cup holder #ambient lights & front cubby #LED illumination, enable it with OBDeleven or VCDS in #VW Golf MK7, including coming/leaving home illumination and slider controls from Volkswagen Discover infotainment system screen. This is not just a piggyback connection to footwell lights or dashboard backlight. This was wired as independent BCM (body control module) circuit, coded with it's own controls, brightness, and logic.

ℹ️ This tutorial is based on my own research and documentation that I found related to Audi A3 8V with interior lighting package. Same procedure should work for all other MQB platform vehicles, including Seat Leon MK3 (5F), Skoda Octavia 3 (5E). This tutorial might not be 100% accurate and may be updated in future. Some coding and adaptation changes might differ because of the production year, software versions, or vehicle trim version. Required coding procedure might be adjusted for facelift vehicles.

⚠️ Warning! You are doing this modification at your own risk. This modification may void your cars warranty. This modification might cause vehicle damage. Any modification to the electrical system are potentially dangerous and might end with electrical fire.

🛒 Parts
Wires, zip ties.

🛠 Tools
Torx and flat drivers
Terminal crimping tool
Cutter and precise knife

📺 Related videos that you should watch first

🔌 Wiring connection
Ground to any chassis ground point.
Positive to empty and active pin in BCM. In my case that's plug C, pin 9.

💻 Coding and Adaptation
Module 5F (Security Access: 20103) → Adaptation:
→ Car Function list BAP Gen2:
→ → Interieur light 0x08 → Activated
→ → Interieur light 0x08 msg bus → Comfort data bus
→ Car Function adaptatations Gen2
→ → menu display ambient illum. → activated
→ → menu display ambient illum. over threshold high → activated

Module 09 (Security Access: 31347):
→ Long Coding → Byte 17 → bit 2 (Ambient Cupholder Lights) → installed
→ Adaptation:
→ → Interior light, light configuration → Cockpitbeleuchtung → installed
→ → Int. light, 2nd generation → Aufloesung dimmzeit → 0.1s
→ → Int. light, 2nd generation → Helligkeit Cockpitbeleuchtung nicht berechnen → not active

Module 09 (Security Access: 31347) → Adaptation → LeuchteXX
→ Lasttyp → 46 - LED Kleinleistung
→ Lichtfunktion A → Ambientelicht 2
→ Dimmwert AB → 100(%)
→ Lichtansteuerung HD AB → Always

Module 09 (Security Access: 31347) → Adaptation → Interior lighting, parameter:
→ P t * cockpit → 0 (s)
→ P adaption kundenwunch cockpit → 14
→ P helligkeit Fzg geschlossen zuendung ein cockpit → 126%
→ P helligkeit * cockpit → change all with default 100% to 25%

0:00 Golf MK7 cup holder with coming/leaving home
0:33 Prepared for coding with OBDeleven or VCDS
1:20 Cup holder light stripe and BCM terminal
1:50 BCM (body control module) location
2:25 Tools required
2:50 dashboard and center console disassembly
3:48 adding wiring to BCM connectors
4:22 Advantages of separate wiring circuit for cup holder
5:10 BCM connectors A, B, and C
5:25 finding empty and programable channel with OBDeleven
7:40 checking pin assigned to adaptation channel
8:40 test setup for cup holder (lasttyp, lichtfunktion, dimmwert)
11:03 proper coding of the Leuchte channel for ambient lights
12:10 checking MIB infotainment adaptation
13:20 enabling slider control for front background light
16:05 brightness adjustment for safety and comfort
19:05 time delays explained
20:15 confirm proper brightness in live data
21:25 cup holder lights demo at night

[Kiss__Kiss]

Definitely a WIN for VW MK7 owners.. Thanks for all of your VW/Audi Software and Hardware additions throughout the years, mr-fix.

[umargud]

Huge respect man 😮 You are amazing i was not aware that VWs are customizable on such level.

[mohamedzementzali]

i would like to thank you, you are the first one how give a good explanation with an easy understanding English thank you again

[meesterss]

Good video, very clear. I did the same with facelift BCM. Coding works the same, but no long coding necessary. Adaptations is enough. Its how I control my self installed ambient lighting on the dash and reardoors(Lichtfunction a** Ambienlicht 3, for control door ambient lights). Gives a very nice oem-like Feeling. Also did a lot of adjustments to how the domelights work when lock/unlock and open/close the doors, so Ambient lights are more visible when unlocking car in the dark.

[jamescape]

the "beer" as it looks to be, was a funny and clever touch!

[ahmadpc]

I really love ur work. So much information to go through.

[josfern]

WoW this one is crazy cool!!! Thanks a lot for your knowledge

[giannisstasinakis]

you are amazing my friend. Thank you for the lesson.

[claudiu]

Respect man 🫡 Thank you 🤝🫡

I try to figure this out but i have no idea where i must begin😵‍💫. It was easier like you did it before for all other things, step by step 🫣. Anyway, thank you for your work 🤝

[izhakbaker]

Wow that's really amazing... Keep going ❤

[iamdmc]

I'd never do this but still cool to see thanks

[moscow]

Do you have a detailed analysis of how everything was installed?

[billmanello]

Thanks for the tutorial. How did you mount the led strip on the cup holders? Double sided tape that it already has? How did you feed the cable in the cup holder? Drilled a hole? How much led strip was required for cupholders and wireless charging area? Thank you.

[jeffcooper]

Hi have you ever seen it where it’s all activated but still no signal from the bcm ?

[AndreiTistea]

Hi. I ordered the same led light like in description, i have it installed and connected to the same pin in bcm. But i have a problem, the intensity of light is changing on acceleration and deceleration. I think it has to be some voltage drop from the alternator or something like that. Also the intensity is changhing when hazard lights are on. I have done something wrong here?

[nuggett]

@mr-fix any plans on a video for RGB ambient footwell lighting?

[dasentregas]

Vc tem o link amigo das luzes do porta copo ?

[ivan]

Heyy, can u tell us from what program did u find those diagrams ?😊

[diabolik]

Hello. I have a 2018 tiguan with white door strips, I want to install a led strip on the front passenger front., after installation I can manage it from the menu together with the doors.? Is there a menu to activate?

[claudiomora]

hola amigo que tal como puedo codificar las luces posapies para regular la intensidad del menu de la radio esta la opcion pero ni sube ni nada la luz la iluminacion ni sube ni baja

saludos