Auto Lights - Main lights always stay on?

[rickz]

Hi Guys,

Wondering if any of you can help in regards to my X5 40D M Sport

When I leave my lights on 'Auto', the main lights stay on during the day as well?...

My understanding is that during the day it should just be the angel eyes on and then at night the main lights will come on?

Is there something that's been coded or something within the iDrive system I can amend?

[graemeX5]

Hi

Assuming you have your light switch to the right of the steering column set to the left and A for auto then the lights should come on and off depending on the lighting condition, i.e. in a unlit tunnel or when very overcast dark cloudy conditions they should come on. It won't be just the rings that come on it will be the headlights as well depending on the light.

The rings are also used as DRL's depending on the settings in the idrive system, or if DRL's are switched off (via idrive) then as the rings will be side lights if set to manual.

If you find the lights are on all the time it could be the lights sensor, which is on the windscreen and there are instances where a windscreen has been replaced and the sensor was not fitted properly, and the auto lights don't work properly.

But first I would check the operation of the Auto lights in good daylight, set the switch to A for auto and logically they shouldn't come on. Then try it's again when it's near dusk with lights set to A for auto and if the lights come on then I would say it's operating correctly.

Graeme

[X5Sport]

I had to get my Dealer to change the sensitivity to get mine to work better, but clear blue skies do cause them to come on.  All three of our BMWs have been like this.

[Glen]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I had to get my Dealer to change the sensitivity to get mine to work better, but clear blue skies do cause them to come on.  All three of our BMWs have been like this.
[/quote]

Mine is the same ,when on auto and the headlights are on a little green light illuminates next to the light switch,
daytime running lights (only front )no little green light.

[Flinders]

Just had this sorted on our x6 as they were on permanently. It went to BMW and they said it was the wiring. It's sorted now so just to test it at night as not coming on during the day.

The car had a new windscreen fitted before we bought it so I had presumed they had covered the sensor so not sure if that is what they classed as a wiring problem?

[X5Sport]

Ah that could be the issue then.  The windscreen should come with the sensor mount attached but if the wrong screen was ordered then no sensor and it needs the proper mount.  Check that the little window at the top of the screen is completely optically clear.  If not then it will affect both lights and wipers.

[Flinders]

Oddly the auto wipers were working but the auto lights weren't. I will check they come on at night as they may have just removed the wiring so not working at all! Lol! I will also check the screen, although I did check that as first port of call when the lights were on permanently.....but didn't know what I was looking for to be honest! Lol!  ::)

[rickz]

This makes sense now as the previous owner told me that he had the windscreen replaced not too long ago.

Will it be an easy/cheap fix? If it's going to be expensive I'll just learn to live with it!

[X5Sport]

If the right screen was fitted then there should be a little window ahead of the mirror and it needs to be clear so the the sensor can see the sky.  No window and the sensor left inside the mirror mounts and it thinks it's dark so turns the lights on.

Auto wipers may just default to a predetermined rate rattan being properly automatic.