Golf 7.5 GTI - Reverse lights and OEM reverse camera always active (No DTCs) - Need help

[magellanqa]

Hi everyone,


I'm trying to solve a very strange issue on my 2019 Volkswagen Golf 7.5 GTI (MQB platform) and I'm running out of ideas.


The problem started suddenly after the car had been parked for about two weeks. There were no coding changes, no software updates, and no electrical work before the issue appeared.

Symptoms​

• Reverse lights turn on as soon as the ignition is switched on.
• OEM reverse camera activates immediately and the infotainment switches to the rear camera screen.
• This happens in P, N and D.
• The reverse lights and camera work normally in R, but they are also active in every other gear.

Scan Results​

There are no DTCs related to this problem in BCM, Gateway, Transmission or Camera modules.

What I have already checked​

• Transmission live data shows:
  • Reverse gear (CAN) = Inactive in P/N/D
  • Reverse gear (CAN) = Active only in R

So the transmission appears to be sending the correct reverse information.

Tests already performed​

• Disconnected the OEM rear camera.
• Disconnected the camera/logo motor.
• Disabled the camera via coding.
• Disabled the electric tailgate retrofit.
• Disabled the tailgate lock.
• None of these changed the problem.

Interestingly:

• Even with the camera/logo motor unplugged, the logo does not open (as expected), but the infotainment still switches to the rear camera screen.

BCM Output Test​

I disconnected the reverse light wire directly from the BCM output.


Measured directly on the BCM output pin:

• Tailgate closed → BCM outputs approximately 12V
• Tailgate opened → BCM output drops to 0V

This means the BCM itself is intentionally driving the reverse light output.

My thoughts​

Since:

• Transmission CAN data is correct.
• Camera hardware is disconnected.
• Electric tailgate retrofit has been completely eliminated.
• BCM itself is generating the reverse light output.

I'm beginning to suspect either:

• BCM (J519) internal logic,
• another CAN module falsely requesting reverse mode,
• or some hidden input that is forcing BCM into reverse mode.

Has anyone seen something similar on any MQB platform (Golf Mk7/7.5, Audi A3 8V, Octavia 5E, Leon 5F, etc.)?


Any ideas or diagnostic suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you!

 

[stefdds]

and I'm running out of ideas.

Please post a complete VCDS Auto-Scan from a Legitimate interface. (ie, not a clone/copy)

 

[magellanqa]

Removed.  Data from a clone/pirate copy of VCDS is not acceptable in Ross-Tech's forum.

 

[NEtech]

You are using a clone of VCDS
Please buy a legitimate Ross-Tech VCDS interface.

 

[Crasher]

Load the blunderbus