Skyline look Tails (Donut mod & marker delete)

[Bill6211789]

After many emails and questions about the Donut mod and people asking questions to remove the one side marker i figured id do a write up on how to do it thats a LOT easier to follow

Okay so to do the Donut Mod

you need to remove your outter tail lights (you cant do it with them in the car) the plastic connector needs to be pulled out of the housing. (i used two flat head screw drivers)


once you have that removed you need to snip a black wire on both outter housings:


then you will have this look:


******Some Passats need some vagcom changes after the wire is cut*******
So far its only been 2006 models: but if after the correct black wire is cut nothing happens you'll need the VAG changes
-Go into Central Electronics
-then long code helper
-then go over to Byte 12
-finally set the brightness to 0

If you dont like the little marker light you can delete tht too:


youll need to cut one more black wire on each housing:


once that is snipped youll have this:


and if you want the full skyline look you'll need to purchase inner tail light rings but the end look will be like this:

Before marker delete:


After marker delete:


Here's a quick video showing how they look i made a little bit of a twist thanks to Coderedcomputing idea (to make yours look like this you need to swap two wires on the connector):


little diagram of how the lights look:


to make your tails look like the above video youll need to:

1. Add the inner LED rings from F4D lighting or EBay (you'll need to DIY your housing with these)

DIY by Member Angelico to DIY your own housing (scroll to the down a ways): http://www.angelico.ca/files/Passat_...lights_DIY.pdf

To wire in the LEDs you'll need a Diode (show in the pic below)

OEM Clip with no changes (to make your tails look like mine you'll need to swap wires 3 and 4 in the pic you see how the red and black lines swap):


Modified clip on the driver side (this single clip will power BOTH inner LEDs) the only modifications that need to be made on the passenger side is the swapping of wires 3 & 4


***** the only VAGcom changes i needed to make were when i added the LED inners w/ the diode. I had to increase the parking light brightness to 50% from the factory 30%. When this wasn't done i would get a BOW when pressing on the brake

-09 Central Electronics
-Long Code Helper
-scroll over to the rear parking light brightness byte and change the value to 50%*****

[DubberNix]

Nice summary Bill. One thing to add. If you have a 2006, you'll also need to make a change in vagcom in order to have the rings as your tails on the outers.

BYTE 09 Center of Tails.
Normal = HEX 0A.
Set BYTE 09 to HEX 00.

Euro = vagcom change
US 2007-2011 = snip black wire
US 2006 = vagcom change AND snip black wire.

edit: I just saw you have a 2006. Did you not have to make the vagcom change? I thought we had determined on the other thread that the 06's need both changes. Mine did.

[Bill6211789]

I didnt have to make any changes till i added the inner rings

Sent from my EVO

[turbodeluxe14]

I didnt have to make any changes till i added the inner rings

Sent from my EVO

question will the middle light bulb light up when i press the brake after cutting wires. and talking about just doing the outers thanks

[Track5tar]

question will the middle light bulb light up when i press the brake after cutting wires. and talking about just doing the outers thanks

yes

[turbodeluxe14]

awsome so no vag com needed.. thanks again

[Juniorfeel]

Nice summary Bill. One thing to add. If you have a 2006, you'll also need to make a change in vagcom in order to have the rings as your tails on the outers.

BYTE 09 Center of Tails.
Normal = HEX 0A.
Set BYTE 09 to HEX 00.

Euro = vagcom change
US 2007-2011 = snip black wire
US 2006 = vagcom change AND snip black wire.

edit: I just saw you have a 2006. Did you not have to make the vagcom change? I thought we had determined on the other thread that the 06's need both changes. Mine did.

I didn't have to make any VAG-COM changes either, but I did the turn signal -> brake and brake -> turn signal swap, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

[Juniorfeel]

I was able to make my own skyline inners...I have them so they aren't as bright as the outers and did so by adding a resistor to my own LED ring. They light up with tail lights and brakes, as do the outer rings. This pic is with no brake, head lights on:

The light from the outer rings is all messed up, as you can see. The difference/fill of the outer ring vs the inner ring isn't as blatant.

I can help anyone out who is interested in making their own rings...

[Bill6211789]

I was able to make my own skyline inners...I have them so they aren't as bright as the outers and did so by adding a resistor to my own LED ring. They light up with tail lights and brakes, as do the outer rings. This pic is with no brake, head lights on:

The light from the outer rings is all messed up, as you can see. The difference/fill of the outer ring vs the inner ring isn't as blatant.

I can help anyone out who is interested in making their own rings...

Why is there such a difference between the two?

Sent from my EVO

[Juniorfeel]

Why is there such a difference between the two?

Sent from my EVO

I added an additional resistor to the inner ring, to give it a more subtle look. Personally, I like it, but I can always remove the resistor if I want them brighter. Like I said, the outer ring looks much more "solidly filled" but in reality, they are the same exact look (not sure how to describe it), just in different sizes and brightness.

[Bill6211789]

I added an additional resistor to the inner ring, to give it a more subtle look. Personally, I like it, but I can always remove the resistor if I want them brighter. Like I said, the outer ring looks much more "solidly filled" but in reality, they are the same exact look (not sure how to describe it), just in different sizes and brightness.

i was thinking diode not resistor, got ya now. I like same brightness look, the way you have yours looks like they were an after thought not OEM. But as long as your happy

[Juniorfeel]

i was thinking diode not resistor, got ya now. I like same brightness look, the way you have yours looks like they were an after thought not OEM. But as long as your happy

I see what you mean with the aftermarket. I agree as well, definitely less likely to be oem having them less bright, but I may still remove them in the future. You can't really see the inners during the day which is kind of leaning me towards removing them. It's a 5 min job, hardest part would probably be finding it...but the benefit is it puts less strain on the LEDs, letting them last longer. If everything is as it should be though, no one should have problems with LEDs going out within the next 5-7 years if they are good quality. I want to make a video sooner or later, hopefully it will show it a bit more true to real life. Great thread though, it's a pretty popular mod. Surprised there wasn't one already.

[SDbirdman]

Bill. Before you did the vag adjustments. What did the mfi say when u got ur bow?

[Bill6211789]

Bill. Before you did the vag adjustments. What did the mfi say when u got ur bow?

for others reading this It had nothing to do with any of the above info i posted about the donuts or side marker LED delete


When i added the inner rings and would press the brake with the parking lights on after a few seconds of holding the brake pedal only the driver side parking side maker would disable. when this happened the entire driver side otter tail would shut off. The MFD would say "Side parking light out" IIRC ill try and change the VAG settings tom and get double check the notification. This issue was fixed by changing the rear parking light brightness to 50% (factory it was 35% IIRC)

[SDbirdman]

for others reading this It had nothing to do with any of the above info i posted about the donuts or side marker LED delete


When i added the inner rings and would press the brake with the parking lights on after a few seconds of holding the brake pedal only the driver side parking side maker would disable. when this happened the entire driver side otter tail would shut off. The MFD would say "Side parking light out" IIRC ill try and change the VAG settings tom and get double check the notification. This issue was fixed by changing the rear parking light brightness to 50% (factory it was 35% IIRC)

Thanks.

[v b chil-n]

SO how did you make your own? what components did you use?

I was able to make my own skyline inners...I have them so they aren't as bright as the outers and did so by adding a resistor to my own LED ring. They light up with tail lights and brakes, as do the outer rings. This pic is with no brake, head lights on:

The light from the outer rings is all messed up, as you can see. The difference/fill of the outer ring vs the inner ring isn't as blatant.

I can help anyone out who is interested in making their own rings...

[SDbirdman]

I now have clean rings with no bow! Now if only my rewired turn signals could be amber. Kinda like the CC.


P.s. you need to make a new skyline video without those gay side lights.

[sbarrett4]

I may do this since it can be done with no Vagcom changes. Thanks Bill!

[Bill6211789]

I may do this since it can be done with no Vagcom changes. Thanks Bill!

[Juniorfeel]

SO how did you make your own? what components did you use?

I think there are 24 LEDs in each but I can't remember the exact number. I started with LEDs similar to this:

These are just individual lights. The size I used were 3mm LEDs, you can use 5mm too, which may create a look closer to the outer lights. I drilled each hole, glued each LED in, soldered them all together in a ring form and ran two wires off of the ring, a + and - After I ran them through the housing to the back, I resealed the lights. The next morning, I wired them in like everyone else. I have a few pics that I may upload. Overall, excluding waiting time for the silicone to dry, about 4 hours to make the two rings, that excludes install time. It wasn't about not buying the rings either, I saw a thread that "inspired" me to build something, so I planned it out and made it work. Pretty happy with the outcome, considering it cost less than $2.00 (cost for LEDs on eBay)

[DubberNix]

I saw a thread that "inspired" me to build something, so I planned it out and made it work. Pretty happy with the outcome, considering it cost less than $2.00 (cost for LEDs on eBay)

Can't argue with that. Way to go

[v b chil-n]

I think there are 24 LEDs in each but I can't remember the exact number. I started with LEDs similar to this:

These are just individual lights. The size I used were 3mm LEDs, you can use 5mm too, which may create a look closer to the outer lights. I drilled each hole, glued each LED in, soldered them all together in a ring form and ran two wires off of the ring, a + and - After I ran them through the housing to the back, I resealed the lights. The next morning, I wired them in like everyone else. I have a few pics that I may upload. Overall, excluding waiting time for the silicone to dry, about 4 hours to make the two rings, that excludes install time. It wasn't about not buying the rings either, I saw a thread that "inspired" me to build something, so I planned it out and made it work. Pretty happy with the outcome, considering it cost less than $2.00 (cost for LEDs on eBay)

Cool thanks for the info. The LED's you used explains why the pattern is so narrow but it still looks good and will be unique among others. Good Job

[Juniorfeel]

Cool thanks for the info. The LED's you used explains why the pattern is so narrow but it still looks good and will be unique among others. Good Job

Sure thing. It could easily be modified to fit one's wants/needs as far as thickness of the ring, I just happened to have these on hand. Thanks

[Bill6211789]

GB:http://www.passatworld.com/forums/54...ml#post2866396

[Juniorfeel]

Any thoughts on making that weird outer light a turn signal? It makes sense to me, to have it be a side turn indicator so maybe those who are next to you (one lane between you and them) can see if you plan on switching lanes, so they don't do the same thing. Just an idea, I think I'm gonna give it a go.

[Wolfpack Noob]

Any thoughts on making that weird outer light a turn signal? It makes sense to me, to have it be a side turn indicator so maybe those who are next to you (one lane between you and them) can see if you plan on switching lanes, so they don't do the same thing. Just an idea, I think I'm gonna give it a go.

We (Track5star, briankstan and myself) got mine all done last night, I have the amber along with the red rings, we got the trigger wire run, the vag-com adjustments in, so I have the full "european fog" setup and it looks awesome, the dash even has a light to remind you when you use them

We will be finishing their cars later this week and it will all be the same setup...

We set up the outer light to be a blinker and from the side it's very visible, to me it just makes it safer to switch lanes cause people will notice it and it looks good!

[coderedcomputing]

We set up the outer light to be a blinker and from the side it's very visible, to me it just makes it safer to switch lanes cause people will notice it and it looks good!

When any of you have time, some additional info on this would be greatly appreciated. Using that as another turn signal would be spiffy.

[briankstan]

When any of you have time, some additional info on this would be greatly appreciated. Using that as another turn signal would be spiffy.

For the Blinker side Led Mod:
the black wire that comes from the side LED, gets spliced in with the red wire coming from the tail light plug. We didn't use any connector for the splices we soldered everything and used shrink wrap over the joints.


For the Rear Fog Light Mod:
We installed Deans plugs (High Quality RC plug) so the inner tails can still be removed if need by simply unplugging the Deans, and the plug that runs to the lights.

for the Reverse lights we ran wires from the passenger side reverse light to the left light, then Install trigger wire for the reverse fogs, it changes the Left light power to the Rear Fog. this wire is used to power both of the rear fog lights.

Sum up...

Right (passenger side) Reverse light powers both reverse lights.
Installed Rear Fog Trigger Wires changed the Left power from Reverse to Rear Fog
Left (drivers side) Rear Fog light powers both rear fog lights.

VagCom Changes need to be made for the fog light. Nino will have to post those up as he looked them up, I just entered them.

[briankstan]

here is a pic representing how the amber rear fogs display.

[Juniorfeel]

For the Blinker side Led Mod:
the black wire that comes from the side LED, gets spliced in with the red wire coming from the tail light plug. We didn't use any connector for the splices we soldered everything and used shrink wrap over the joints.


For the Rear Fog Light Mod:
We installed Deans plugs (High Quality RC plug) so the inner tails can still be removed if need by simply unplugging the Deans, and the plug that runs to the lights.

for the Reverse lights we ran wires from the passenger side reverse light to the left light, then Install trigger wire for the reverse fogs, it changes the Left light power to the Rear Fog. this wire is used to power both of the rear fog lights.

Sum up...

Right (passenger side) Reverse light powers both reverse lights.
Installed Rear Fog Trigger Wires changed the Left power from Reverse to Rear Fog
Left (drivers side) Rear Fog light powers both rear fog lights.

VagCom Changes need to be made for the fog light. Nino will have to post those up as he looked them up, I just entered them.

Cool! I figured someone may have done it already but wasn't sure. It makes a lot of sense and instead of just cutting it out, I figured it'd be nice to have it do something.

[Breakthecycle2]

Cool! I figured someone may have done it already but wasn't sure. It makes a lot of sense and instead of just cutting it out, I figured it'd be nice to have it do something.

So I f I want just the outer rings, all I need to do is clip the black wire and VAG COM it?

[Track5tar]

So I f I want just the outer rings, all I need to do is clip the black wire and VAG COM it?

Just clip the wire and that's it

[Breakthecycle2]

Just clip the wire and that's it

But there's no way to change to Amber, right?

[alpinweiss]

But there's no way to change to Amber, right?

You will need to install the Euro outer tail lights for that. The tail light is red, but flashes amber. It is really cool and worthwhile.

[Bill6211789]

So I f I want just the outer rings, all I need to do is clip the black wire and VAG COM it?

Yes that is all

Just clip the wire and that's it

Some 06 passats need the vag changes to make everything work.

I cant remember if mine did or didn't but i know people that have needed to

Sent from my EVO 4G