[Muckypaws]

Hi Folks,

I was thinking on the way to work today about how so much of a vehicle is controlled by software these days and was wondering if things like the hill-start control and 4x4 button are simply a matter of enabling the appropriate functions in the ECU etc? Obviously the off-road button needs a physical button, but I am sure the wiring loom was there behind the dash for it. So, in theory its a matter of plugging in a button and enabling the functionality in the ECU.

The same way that one can enable the MDI or bluetooth functions after the hardware is fitted. Except for anything that's transmission/ engine related I don't believe there would be a difference between those models with the function and those without as its all interconnected.

Clearly it needs someone with good knowledge of the VAG ECU/ s/w etc but I am sure there is a lot of the car that can be turned on after its built.

Any thoughts? Anyone tried it?

I have paid for the off-road button to be fitted to mine, but I am struggling to justify £85 for the hill-start if its simply a tick in the box within the s/w?

[Sanqhar]

How about the lights (boarding spots) built into the mirrors. There is a blanking plate on the underside of each mirror, is the wiring behind it?

tom

[Muckypaws]

Sanqhar, on 09 February 2010 - 21:15, said:

How about the lights (boarding spots) built into the mirrors. There is a blanking plate on the underside of each mirror, is the wiring behind it?

tom

Indeed. I am sure there will be lots of things that can be retrofitted.

Need to examine the exploded parts lists and then find someone with a good understanding of the vehicle control systems.