Hi all, first time posting. I've recently bought a 2018 (Registered October) Sunlight T60 Motorhome based on the Fiat Ducato. The VIN is: ZFA25000002F82362. For some strange reason, it doesn't have the LED DRL's, but has the old style headlights with sidelight DRL's. After spending several hours on the phone with Fiat service/parts departments today, I'm no closer to finding the answer on whether I can purchase the new style LED DRL lights and simply swap them over? I imagine there is a different loom required, but will this work? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Further to this... After reading two other threads on here, it has been suggested that this 'could' be possible using the AlfaOBD Software, but has anyone got any experience actually achieving this please? It must be possible somehow, based on how many 'facelift' models there are for sale on Auto Trader, but is it a quick fix, or is it an expensive fix?

You have to change the control logic in the Body Control Module by telling it that LED DRLs are fitted. That's what the AlfaOBD reprogramming does. I haven't done it personally, but I've used AlfaOBD to change other BCM parameters without any problems, so I've no reason to believe it won't work. Fiat will probably tell you it can't be done, because they probably don't have the capability to reconfigure BCM software in their dealer diagnostic equipment. So they will tell you that you need to order a new BCM at a cost of around £1K.

But the main expense will be replacing the headlamp units, which aren't exactly cheap. That's the main reason I wouldn't contemplate changing them over on my van. It's a lot of money to spend for something purely cosmetic.

There is no "strange reason" why your van doesn't have LED DRL headlights. They aren't standard on the X290 or at least haven't been up until now. They are an extra cost option and you'll find more vans that have normal filament bulb DRLs than have have LEDs. Some motorhome converters choose to order vans or chassis with LED DRLs installed at their own expense, but many don't.

Thank you for this information. Is there a list of garages/technicians in the U.K. who use or have access to AlfaOBD please?

AlfaOBD is aimed at the DIY owner and runs as an android app or on a Windows PC. There are no lists that I know of. You might find an independent Fiat specialist that uses it, but most independent general workshops use multi-make diagnostics such as Wurth, Halfords Pro, etc. that cover servicing and repair functions but don't have the same in-depth programming capabilities. You'd need a VCI dongle and connection cables as well as the hardware and software. I'm not sure if a 2018 van has the Fiat Secure Gateway Device in the Canbus, but if it does you'd also need a SGW bypass device to be able to access and program the BCM as well.

The AlfaOBD website is the place for more information.

https://www.alfaobd.com/

A few weeks after delivery of my new 2017 150bhp it lost 4 of the led drl's requiring a complete new headlight unit under warranty. If it were me I would leave alone and keep the set up you have

RS3100 said:

I'm not sure if a 2018 van has the Fiat Secure Gateway Device in the Canbus, but if it does you'd also need a SGW bypass device to be able to access and program the BCM as well.
https://www.alfaobd.com/

Click to expand...

The info on the MultECUscan website implies that they haven't fitted the secure gateway on Ducatos yet (or no-one has reported it )

The OP's VIN number is lower than my (2018) van, (ZFA25000002G.....) which most certainly isn't so equipped.

To provide an update on this. A very lucky phone call to a local independent Fiat mechanic and I found someone with AlfaOBD, who has experience using it. This is what he told me, and after spending three-hours at his workshop today, this is what we found out:

My van was registered in Oct 2018, but it was manufactured in Sept 2015. Although it's an x290, Fiat were still issuing x250 VIN numbers until March 2016 (hence mine is ZFA250). This is important because vans manufactured from early 2016 were fitted with a different chip, and it's this chip that enables AlfaOBD to programme the van to work with the new style LED strip DRL headlights.


So in short, after several attempts, this did not work on my van. However, under the bonnet there are three connections already fitted as standard, and they allow you to plug in these (https://www.ledcom.co.uk/pod_light_kit_black_daytime_running_lights_drl_led_ducato_boxer_relay_x290) after-market LED Pod Lights that work off the ignition, and switch off when the main headlights are switched on. (If you want them to remain on all the time, don't plug in the signal cable and tape it off to avoid water getting into it).


I hope this helps.

Not directly related to the headlights, but the factory VIN designation for X290 vans is still X250, apart from a few limited versions. So most VINs still start with the digits ZFA250 at least up to 2020 MY as can be seen from affected VIN ranges in recall notices.