Understanding Retrofitting European LED Tail Lights on Your VW MK7
This is a complete guide on understanding all the details about swapping LED Tail Lights on MK7 Models, including the Golf, GTI and Golf R. The European LED tail lights are an awesome way to make your MK7 stand out from the rest. They are subtle and classy, as we know the Europeans get all the good stuff. While the tail lights themselves physically fit right in, there are plenty of intricacies when it comes to the electrical operation of them.
MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Lights
The facelift MK7.5 models have the sweeping fluid dynamic turn signals that everyone is looking for. These are gorgeous lights and are a step above the 1st generation of MK7 LED Tail lights. These lights require and all new harness that we developed for any North American MK7 model with standard halogen tail lights. Unliike previous generations the adapter wiring harness is required as these lights have completely different connectors than the previous models.
What if I'm Changing from MK7 to MK7.5 Facelift Lights?
For any one who has a North American MK7 model with gen 1 LED Tail Lights. The most commone question we get is will my old harness work with these new MK7.5 facelift LED tail lights? Unfortunately its not possible for this to work. The MK7.5 lights require much more wiring. This required a lot of changes to be made to make this harness work. For this reason if you have a Gen 1 Harness you will need to code the vehicle back to stock and remove it, then start over with the install of the MK7.5 facelift harness.
MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Light Purchase Options
Genuine - MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog and DAP Adapter Harness
OE - MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog and DAP Adapter Harness
DAP MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Light Harness
How to Install our DAP MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Light Harness
How to Code the DAP MK7.5 Facelift LED Tail Light Harness with OBDeleven
Plug and Play for Gen 1 MK7 LED Lights
When installing the OEM Euro LED tail lights the electrical plugs are pretty much the same. There is only one modification that will need to be made. The inner drivers tail light has a small notch that must be removed to allow the plug to go into the light (removing this notch does not affect anything if you want to put the factory lights back). One this is done you can plug in all four of your LED Lights and they will function flawlessly with not errors. If you select this method the Amber turn signals will not work, as the factory wiring does not allow it.
Adapter Wiring Harness for Gen 1 MK7 LED Lights
If you want your MK7 Euro LED Tail Lights to function completely you will need to change the wiring on your vehicle. We developed an adapter harness to make this as easy as it can possibly be. This includes adapters that plug into the inner and outer taillights. You also will need to run wires from the inner to the out tail light and the outer to inner. This must be done on both sides and is the only way to make the able turn signals operate. See below for our harness installation video. Once you have installed your harness you will then need to perform coding (instructions included with harness) to make everything operate properly.
Important note- If you are installing the harness and taking it to someone else to perform the coding you should install the harness then leave the adapters unplugged from the car. Using the adapter harness changes the wiring around on your vehicle and the coding must be performed to ensure all functions work properly. You can drive with the tail lights plugged into the factory wiring (shown above) then plug in the harness once the coding has been done. You should always check the operation of your LED Tail Lights after the coding has been performed. If you are looking to turn down the brightness of your LED tail lights in the running position a VW enthusiast made this video to show you how to do so HERE. See the below video for operation with the DAP MK7 LED Taillight Harness
Rear Fog Lights for Gen 1 MK7 LED Lights
If you have Euro LED taillights with rear fog lights you might be interested in activating the rear fog light assembly on you lights. This is a fairly simple process which we offer a wiring option. The wire option we offer includes coding info and a diagram as to what pins you will need to add the wire to. NOTE This wire is only intended to be used with our LED Tail Light Adapter Harness
How long would this take for the complete install?
If you are performing this install 3-4 hours should likely be around how long this complete install will take. That includes Tailights, Harness Install and Vag Com Coding. If you are having a shop install these for you 3-4 hours labor should be a pretty close estimate for them. Labor rates will vary and this job is best suited for VW and Audi Specialist shops in your area. Most VW dealers would not have any interest in an install like this.
MK7 LED Gen 1 Tail Light Purchase Options
MK7 European Cherry Red LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog
MK7 European Cherry Red LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog and Adapter Harness
MK7 European Tinted LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog
MK7 European Tinted LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog and Adapter Harness
MK7 Chinese Market OEM Red LED Tail Lights with Rear Fog
MK7 Chinese Market OEM Red Tail Lights with Rear Fog and Adapter Harness
DAP Rear Fog Wire (with instructions)
How to install the MK7 LED Tail Lights
How to Install the MK7 LED Tail Light Adapter Harness
About the Author
Related Products
Comments