Successful Matrix headlight activation for US Taycan

[prj]

Exactly the same for me Derek, like an old cinema curtain opening from the center to the sides, but after that in my case it can also darken just one or more small zones (I mean without closing the whole "curtain" back), I suppose it's what the PDLS+ option means

The J1.2 HD matrix LED looks completely different btw...

Sponsored

 

[namihiro]

Innovativesoft has a recent post on Rennlist mentioning that some US J1.2 matrix headlights cannot be enabled due to a hardware issue I was unaware of.

“Based on VIN checks through the Porsche parts catalog, Porsche introduced a different headlight specification for some North American vehicles. These units are visually similar to Matrix lights but are not HD Matrix and are missing certain internal LED modules.”
(…)
“For non-HD units, the only way to confirm is by VIN and part number verification. We’ve already seen this on a small number of vehicles, including two Cayennes.”

 

[whitex]

So Porsche now has "Matrix-like" headlights for cars which don't have the full matrix enabled? Cost savings?

 

[whitex]

Do you have a VM PIWIS?

I don’t use a virtual machine, but any PIWIS with engineering mode should work.

 

[j.w.s]

There were several threads on another site about activating full Matrix headlight functionality for US cars. I reached out to Raymond at innovativesoft.co.nz, who offers this mod, and had the programming completed this week for my 2023 Taycan GTS ST with “standard” Matrix lights (non-HD).

Communication with Raymond was handled via email and WhatsApp. He was very responsive to questions and scheduling.

He offers remote programming and can provide a PIWIS dongle, which was a major plus for me. Since I already had a spare Windows laptop, he only needed to ship the dongle. He kept me updated on the timeline and we agreed a time slot once the PIWIS was scheduled to arrive.

The setup was straightforward:

• Install TeamViewer QuickSupport.
• Connect PIWIS to the PC and OBD port when instructed.
• Reconnect after any connection drops.
• Disconnect and test.

The entire process took about 2.5 hours, though it would have been faster without the unexpected connection issues.

A quick test drive confirmed that the high beams now adjust to oncoming traffic, and I haven't had any error messages. Afterwards, I was able to drop the PIWIS off to the next customer, who happened to live nearby.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the service and the added functionality. I have no prior affiliation with Raymond or InnovativeSoft—just a happy customer.

So a US user who bought the Matrix headlights can get them activated? That's exciting!

What happened to the narrative, from 9xx.com if I remember correctly, that the activation required a special power supply lest you bork the entire car or something? So that was FUD?

 

[PhillyTCT4S]

Anyone in PA area with PIWIS knowledge? I have a PIWIS machine with engineering mode I can share. Want to code matrix option, etc. but need some guidance. Don't want to screw up my car. Still new to this coding thing....

 

[mystermykee]

What happened to the narrative, from 9xx.com if I remember correctly, that the activation required a special power supply lest you bork the entire car or something? So that was FUD?

Well, there's a nonzero chance the voltage could drop well below what is needed to NOT brick your car. I usually turn off everything--lights, HVAC, radio. We're lucky to have an HV battery to keep the voltage level relatively stable.

I've never used a power supply. But then again, I'v never auto coded more than a few modules at a time. For simple manual coding without rules or just looking around, a power supply is definitely not needed.

 

[Kainlow]

I did mine (J1.1 Taycan) with nothing but a PIWIS3, with Engineering Mode enabled.

Could you please message me about where I can find a walkthrough? I have PIWIS and the dongle..

 

[PhillyTCT4S]

I am willing to drop 200 to anyones account who can pm me the steps on how to unlock the matrix US headlights so they can work like EU.
I have PIWIS3 with engineering mode to do that....

 

[bigkraig]

try searching the forum. i have posted it here before, these are my notes. you probably dont even need to code as many of the modules, but i did mine a long time ago before i learned more about the system and didn't take before/after VALs

 

[PhillyTCT4S]

Not sure how I missed it. Will try to search for your posts. Thanks.

 

[whitex]

try searching the forum. i have posted it here before, these are my notes. you probably dont even need to code as many of the modules, but i did mine a long time ago before i learned more about the system and didn't take before/after VALs

I'm curious, do your tail signal lights look like this?

(the above is from my adventures retrofitting EU tail lights, shows US tail lights with BCM2 auto-coded to AV1+B01).

 

[bigkraig]

hmm no i am pretty sure mine is lighting up the light on the hatch, i think it required coding and running the additional wiring. it's been a long time

 

[whitex]

hmm no i am pretty sure mine is lighting up the light on the hatch, i think it required coding and running the additional wiring. it's been a long time

Turn on your hazards and check? The additional wiring is for hatch amber light which US lights don’t have. The picture above is what my US lights looked like after coding BCM2. Furthermore, your frunk exit button might also be blinking when your hazards are on (one of the missing wiring for EU tail light is wired to that button instead, on cars).

 

[jakeCT]

Also good to read and be aware of draining 12V battery when autocoding modules and causing limp mode:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Taycan/s/jUe7kArZQ4

BCM2 autocoding may not be necessary- with the “vehicle data” using the euro spec, it may throw rear taillight defective errors against US taillights; it did for me. I redid the process and skipped BCM2, and no issue.

The reddit OP also switched to euro amber taillights and needed to code BCM2 and mentions maybe not needing to for US cars with US taillights.

Also to translate some jargon in the steps:
KOMBI: Kombi LG
CONBOX: Telematics
PCM: MIB3

Sponsored