Cabin lights draining battery

Kamikaze · Nov 3, 2020

Good day all,

I have a 2016 T6 with factory fitted rear cabin lights.

Whenever I go camping/windsurfing/mountainbiking, the lights stay on for 12min at a time every time I open a door, before the computer finally cuts power.
This drains the battery sufficiently to need a jump start within two or three hours.

I can't find a button to deactivate the lights - there simply are none (except for the aircon).
There's nothing in the manual, and no setting on the multifunction display to deactivate it or shorten the time delay either.
I've considered removing the globes, but can't get the lens/covers to pop off either.

The local dealership is utterly useless, so don't bother suggesting going there.

This is driving me insane, as I've had to get a jump start more than once before. I'm scared I will get stuck f there's no one else around.

Hotel California · Nov 3, 2020

That does not look like a California so not many on here will have this problem.
In the Cali there’s a switch above in the cabin near the rear view mirror to turn of the interieur lights.

Kamikaze · Nov 3, 2020

Yes, that switch turns off the front lights, but does nothing to the rear ones.

Ch1pbutty · Nov 3, 2020

Take out the fuse for the rear interior lights;

Or you should be able to program them out with Carista dongle (or simliar), so that they switch off if key is not in the igniton. Options from an older post as below:

//
Doors / Windows / Remote

Auto-lock doors when moving
YES / *NO*

Auto-unlock doors when key is taken out of ignition
YES / *NO*

Auto-lock trunk when moving
YES / *NO*

Unlock trunk when doors are unlocked
*YES* / NO

Blink turn signals when locking/unlocking with remote
*YES* / NO

Beep when locking with remote
YES / *NO*

Beep when unlocking with remote
YES / *NO*

Beep when alarm is armed
YES / *NO*

Unlock doors via remote
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / *ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS*

Enable settings for opening/closing windows and sunroof
YES / *NO*

Open/close windows via long-press on remote
*YES* / NO

Open/close sunroof via long-press on remote or key
YES / *NO*

Open sunroof via long-press on remote
YES / *NO*

Close sunroof via long-press on remote
*YES* / NO

Open/close windows by holding key in door lock
*YES* / NO

Blink turn signals when done closing windows via remote
*YES* / NO

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door
*YES* / NO

Enable remote control buttons when ignition is on
YES / *NO*

Instruments / Display / Dings

Instrument cluster language
CHINESE / CZECH / DUTCH / *ENGLISH (UK)* / ENGLISH (US) / FRENCH / GERMAN / ITALIAN / NORWEGIAN / POLISH / PORTUGUESE / RUSSIAN / SPANISH / SWEDISH / TURKISH / NONE / SYMBOLS (NO TEXT)

Instrument cluster region (affects ext. lights too)
GERMANY / EUROPE/OTHER / USA / CANADA / *GREAT BRITAIN* / JAPAN / SAUDI ARABIA / AUSTRALIA

Temperature display units
*CELSIUS* / FARENHEIT

Distance display units
KM / *MILES*

Speed display units
KM/H / *MPH*

Pressure display units
*BAR* / PSI / KPA

Volume display units
LITERS / *GALLONS (UK)* / GALLONS (US)

Time display format
*24H* / 12H AM/PM

Date display format
*DD/MM/YY* / MM/DD/YY / YY/MM/DD

Consumption display units
*MPG (UK)* / MPG (US) / L/100KM / KM/L

Multi-Function Display
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Seat belt warning
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Lane-change turn signal auto-flasher
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Lane-change turn signal auto-flasher count
1 FLASH / 2 FLASHES / *3 FLASHES* / 4 FLASHES / 5 FLASHES

Lights

Daytime running lights
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Allow configuring daytime running lights via dash display
YES / *NO*

Coming-home lights (req. auto headlights or manual flick of high beams)
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Leaving-home lights (req. auto headlights)
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Coming/leaving-home lights use…
LOW BEAMS / *FOG LIGHTS*

Coming-home lights duration
10 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 20 SECONDS / 25 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS / 35 SECONDS / 40 SECONDS / 45 SECONDS / 50 SECONDS / 55 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS

Leaving-home lights duration
10 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 20 SECONDS / 25 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS / 35 SECONDS / 40 SECONDS / 45 SECONDS / 50 SECONDS / 55 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS

Turn off front fog lights when high beams are on
YES / *NO*

Cornering lights (using fog lights)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Turn on cornering lights when turn signal is on
*YES* / NO

Turn on interior lights when key is taken out of ignition
*YES* / NO

Flash brake lights in emergency stopping
YES / *NO*

Flash hazard lights in emergency stopping
*YES* / NO

Brake lights work even when ignition is off
*YES* / NO

"Euro" parking lights when ignition off, turn signal on
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Other

Activate side mirror heaters when rear window defroster is on
YES / *NO*

Automatic wipers (using rain sensor)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Speed-dependent windshield wiper speed
*YES* / NO

Additional 'tear' wipe after windshield washer use
YES / *NO*

Auto-enable rear wiper when front wipers on and reverse gear engaged
*YES* / NO

Horn works even when ignition is off
YES / *NO*
//

WelshGas · Nov 3, 2020

Kamikaze said:
Yes, that switch turns off the front lights, but does nothing to the rear ones.

Which vehicle do you have? Beach or Ocean?

GrumpyGranddad · Nov 3, 2020

Ch1pbutty said:
Take out the fuse for the rear interior lights;

Or you should be able to program them out with Carista dongle (or simliar), so that they switch off if key is not in the igniton. Options from an older post as below:

//
Doors / Windows / Remote

Auto-lock doors when moving
YES / *NO*

Auto-unlock doors when key is taken out of ignition
YES / *NO*

Auto-lock trunk when moving
YES / *NO*

Unlock trunk when doors are unlocked
*YES* / NO

Blink turn signals when locking/unlocking with remote
*YES* / NO

Beep when locking with remote
YES / *NO*

Beep when unlocking with remote
YES / *NO*

Beep when alarm is armed
YES / *NO*

Unlock doors via remote
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / *ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS*

Enable settings for opening/closing windows and sunroof
YES / *NO*

Open/close windows via long-press on remote
*YES* / NO

Open/close sunroof via long-press on remote or key
YES / *NO*

Open sunroof via long-press on remote
YES / *NO*

Close sunroof via long-press on remote
*YES* / NO

Open/close windows by holding key in door lock
*YES* / NO

Blink turn signals when done closing windows via remote
*YES* / NO

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door
*YES* / NO

Enable remote control buttons when ignition is on
YES / *NO*

Instruments / Display / Dings

Instrument cluster language
CHINESE / CZECH / DUTCH / *ENGLISH (UK)* / ENGLISH (US) / FRENCH / GERMAN / ITALIAN / NORWEGIAN / POLISH / PORTUGUESE / RUSSIAN / SPANISH / SWEDISH / TURKISH / NONE / SYMBOLS (NO TEXT)

Instrument cluster region (affects ext. lights too)
GERMANY / EUROPE/OTHER / USA / CANADA / *GREAT BRITAIN* / JAPAN / SAUDI ARABIA / AUSTRALIA

Temperature display units
*CELSIUS* / FARENHEIT

Distance display units
KM / *MILES*

Speed display units
KM/H / *MPH*

Pressure display units
*BAR* / PSI / KPA

Volume display units
LITERS / *GALLONS (UK)* / GALLONS (US)

Time display format
*24H* / 12H AM/PM

Date display format
*DD/MM/YY* / MM/DD/YY / YY/MM/DD

Consumption display units
*MPG (UK)* / MPG (US) / L/100KM / KM/L

Multi-Function Display
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Seat belt warning
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Lane-change turn signal auto-flasher
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Lane-change turn signal auto-flasher count
1 FLASH / 2 FLASHES / *3 FLASHES* / 4 FLASHES / 5 FLASHES

Lights

Daytime running lights
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Allow configuring daytime running lights via dash display
YES / *NO*

Coming-home lights (req. auto headlights or manual flick of high beams)
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Leaving-home lights (req. auto headlights)
ENABLED / *DISABLED*

Coming/leaving-home lights use…
LOW BEAMS / *FOG LIGHTS*

Coming-home lights duration
10 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 20 SECONDS / 25 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS / 35 SECONDS / 40 SECONDS / 45 SECONDS / 50 SECONDS / 55 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS

Leaving-home lights duration
10 SECONDS / *15 SECONDS* / 20 SECONDS / 25 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS / 35 SECONDS / 40 SECONDS / 45 SECONDS / 50 SECONDS / 55 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS

Turn off front fog lights when high beams are on
YES / *NO*

Cornering lights (using fog lights)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Turn on cornering lights when turn signal is on
*YES* / NO

Turn on interior lights when key is taken out of ignition
*YES* / NO

Flash brake lights in emergency stopping
YES / *NO*

Flash hazard lights in emergency stopping
*YES* / NO

Brake lights work even when ignition is off
*YES* / NO

"Euro" parking lights when ignition off, turn signal on
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Other

Activate side mirror heaters when rear window defroster is on
YES / *NO*

Automatic wipers (using rain sensor)
*ENABLED* / DISABLED

Speed-dependent windshield wiper speed
*YES* / NO

Additional 'tear' wipe after windshield washer use
YES / *NO*

Auto-enable rear wiper when front wipers on and reverse gear engaged
*YES* / NO

Horn works even when ignition is off
YES / *NO*
//

Any recommendations for a Carista type device? I’ve seen an OBD Dongle and Smartphone App for not much money. Anybody got experience? Maybe a good investment?

WelshGas · Nov 3, 2020

GrumpyGranddad said:
Any recommendations for a Carista type device? I’ve seen an OBD Dongle and Smartphone App for not much money. Anybody got experience? Maybe a good investment?

I just have the Carista. It just works.

Ch1pbutty · Nov 3, 2020

GrumpyGranddad said:
Any recommendations for a Carista type device? I’ve seen an OBD Dongle and Smartphone App for not much money. Anybody got experience? Maybe a good investment?

Carista is great, easy to use & you can't cause any damage!

Besides being able to change comfort settings; You can check for faults , reset the fault & if it comes back then you need to visit the garage.

PIERPO · Nov 3, 2020

Interested in this Carista device can anyone give some more details on it and where to get one thanks Phil

Kamikaze · Nov 3, 2020

Ch1pbutty said:
Carista is great, easy to use & you can't cause any damage!

Besides being able to change comfort settings; You can check for faults , reset the fault & if it comes back then you need to visit the garage.

Are you using the free or paid version?

Ch1pbutty · Nov 3, 2020

Carista

caristaapp.com

£24.99 on Amazon for the dongle inc 1 month trial, then pay a £46.99 yearly subscription to Carista which unlocks the features.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YVHGTBM/?tag=eliteelect-21

Ch1pbutty · Nov 3, 2020

Kamikaze said:
Are you using the free or paid version?

We pay the yearly fee (as cheaper than 1 trip to the garage to read the codes.)

Volkywagen · Nov 3, 2020

Maybe change the bulbs for LEDs. Looks like you have a caravelle?

Kamikaze · Nov 4, 2020

Ch1pbutty said:
We pay the yearly fee (as cheaper than 1 trip to the garage to read the codes.)

I downloaded Carista and used it with a dongle I happened to have lying around.

It didn't work for the lights, however I did manage to set the door locks to automatically lock when the vehicle starts moving. (Something my local dealer told me was not possible, citing that my vehicle didn't have the "very specific" software required)

So, a small victory along the way

I'm thinking of fitting a switch inline on the power supply to the lights. That way I can switch them on or off as needed.

Louis II · Nov 4, 2020

Genuinely not wanting to be unwelcoming but the T5 or T6 forum might be a better source of a fix for this one

T5 caravelle/ shuttle - turn off interior rear lights

We are using our van as a camper etc....as its s shuttle, it has the extra 2 rows of lights....they stay on for 10 mins every time someone opens a door etc....I am looking at fitting a leisure battery, BUT it's my understanding that the circuit is separate to the oem van one etc... So the only...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

Kamikaze · Nov 4, 2020

Louis II said:
Genuinely not wanting to be unwelcoming but the T5 or T6 forum might be a better source of a fix for this one

T5 caravelle/ shuttle - turn off interior rear lights

We are using our van as a camper etc....as its s shuttle, it has the extra 2 rows of lights....they stay on for 10 mins every time someone opens a door etc....I am looking at fitting a leisure battery, BUT it's my understanding that the circuit is separate to the oem van one etc... So the only...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

Thanks, this is a good step in the right direction.