License plate LED bulb error fix

[Henrik S]

Hi Guys

I have searched a lot and not found this fix anywhere for the B8, only for VW Golf (I think it was) which had the long coding helper for it so hoping I am not wasting my time posting something that's already posted before...

I wanted to upgrade my dull yellow plate light on my 2012 S5 Convertible and wanted some quality LEDs so bought the Osram/Sylvania 6418 ones (paid $8,50 each at AutoZone). I read some posts somewhere that they wouldn't throw any error codes. Got them installed and SURPRISE I instantly got a license plate light error message. Now I know there are some LED bulbs around that have been confirmed not to give error messages but instead wanted to see if i could solve it with VCDS coding and not having to buy new LEDs. I Didn't find any posts with a solution but came across a thread on Ross-Tech forum about a tail light retrofit which contained some useful info on the coding for the tail lights. Thanks to user "rlarsen" for posting this.

It turns out that channel 192 in control module "46 - Central Conv" controls the brake light bulbs and license plate bulb error detection so I thought maybe I could turn this off. The factory binary coding is 000000000000011 (which is 3 in decimal) where the second to last bit is the brake light and the last bit the license plate. I figured if I could change the last bit to 0 instead that this would turn off the error detection for the license plate bulbs. The binary would then be 0000000000000010 instead which is 2 in decimal.

So here goes...

-Go into control module "46 - Central Conv"
-Hit "Security Access - 16"
-Enter code "16017" and hit "Do it"
-Go back and hit "Adaptation"
-Type "192" under "Channel" and hit "Read"
-Stored value should show "3"
-Enter new value "2" (as discussed in the paragraph above) and hit "Test" and then "Save"
-Hit "Done, Go Back" and exit VCDS

That's it - Bulb error message gone!! I never checked if the fault code is still there so you might want to check and delete.

Now I know that this means you will not get an error message should any of the license plate bulbs fail in the future so it's really up to each and everyone if this is a fix they want. Personally I am totally ok with it since the plate bulbs have nothing to do with safety. I will simply check every now and then if they are ok.

The alternative is obviously to find some LED bulbs that won't give any codes, or resistors, but for me this is an acceptable solution as well. If anyone has any information about any drawbacks or issues with this solution I am more than happy to receive feedback!!

This should work on A5 and A/S4 as well I guess.

Last but not least I take no responsibility for any issues you might get with this. It is entirely at your own risk!

Thanks!!

[wes8398]

Two years later, I'd like to say thanks for this. Just fixed the intermittent bulb out warning I've been getting in my B8 S4 since LED swap. Cheers!

[Audream]

/resurrect
Tried security codes 16017 and 41067 to access the channel and VCDS would't accept them! Any ideas on this? A3 8P 2007

[Henrik S]

/resurrect
Tried security codes 16017 and 41067 to access the channel and VCDS would't accept them! Any ideas on this? A3 8P 2007

Don’t know I’m afraid. Never worked on a A3 8P. Suggest you check Ross-Tech website for info on your car, or drop them an email and ask if you can’t find the info there.