Auto Headlights on all the time?

dclowd9901 · 01-23-2015, 04:25 PM

This morning I noticed my headlamps (not halos) were on full time during my drive into work. it would only switch back to the halos if I manually turned the switch. It *was* early, but there was plentiful light, so I'm wondering why they never switched to just normal halos.

Has anyone else noticed this?

kinimod · 01-23-2015, 04:28 PM

The sensor is intelligent enough to detect fog or direct sunlight. In situations like these, it is safer to turn on headlamps, not just the halos.

Are you sure it was a clear daylight with no fog and no strong/direct sunlight?

Wah · 01-23-2015, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclowd9901

This morning I noticed my headlamps (not halos) were on full time during my drive into work. it would only switch back to the halos if I manually turned the switch. It *was* early, but there was plentiful light, so I'm wondering why they never switched to just normal halos.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah I wish there was a way to adjust the daylight sensor sensitivity.

JDS · 01-23-2015, 04:40 PM

If it was early morning and the sun was low in the sky, the sensors will switch on the full headlamps and not just the angel eyes. Similarly, they will do this when approaching sunset. It is described in the manual I believe.

dclowd9901 · 01-23-2015, 05:03 PM

Visibility was good, but based on your comments, I'm guessing it wasn't "bright enough". No problem. I too wish there was a sensitivity dial, but at least I probably don't have any electrical gremlins to worry about.

Kief · 01-23-2015, 05:26 PM

I have the LEDs, and turn on my parking lights during these dawn/dusk conditions. Those with xenons can do the same, but then you get that nasty "egg yolk" look

YMB-M3-J2 · 01-23-2015, 06:17 PM

i turned the sensitivity down on my LED's via coding and it helped with that a lot but every now and then it turns on with "enough" light in my opinion.

Here is the code for those that code.

Fembody 3130 RLS_DEF_FLC_SCHWELLWERT_SATZ change to unempfindlich

dclowd9901 · 01-23-2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YMB_M4_j2

i turned the sensitivity down on my LED's via coding and it helped with that a lot but every now and then it turns on with "enough" light in my opinion.

Here is the code for those that code.

Fembody 3130 RLS_DEF_FLC_SCHWELLWERT_SATZ change to unempfindlich

Wow, thanks! I'm gonna do that this weekend.

NorCal f80 · 01-23-2015, 11:56 PM

Yes, my LEDs are sensitive. Thought it was only me. I'll be coding this.

dkhm3 · 01-24-2015, 01:18 AM

yep noticed this too- my leds are on even when full daylight today.

cctm4me · 01-24-2015, 10:25 AM

Didn't I just see someone report a possible open campaign for the sensor or programming involving the headlights? Maybe I am crazy.

kinimod · 01-25-2015, 08:07 PM

I actually manually turn the switch to headlights always on, because rear lights do not turn on in "auto" mode. Not only it is less safe, the car actually looks better from rear when rear lamps are on.

And there is no egg yolk effect on these F8x headlight LEDs so no reason to not drive "all on" for me.

Wei718 · 01-25-2015, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinimod

I actually manually turn the switch to headlights always on, because rear lights do not turn on in "auto" mode. Not only it is less safe, the car actually looks better from rear when rear lamps are on.

And there is no egg yolk effect on these F8x headlight LEDs so no reason to not drive "all on" for me.

Are you sure it doesn't turn on the rear lights because mines does when in auto mode.

JDS · 01-25-2015, 08:25 PM

If you are in auto mode and the sensor calls for full headlights to be on, then yes, your rear lights will come on just as if you were in the "on" position.

If you have daytime running lights (DRL) enabled in iDrive, and you are in auto, and the sensor is not calling for your headlights to be on, then you will just get the angel eye halos at the front. There is no rear DRL unless you code these on.

James.

kinimod · 01-25-2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDS

If you are in auto mode and the sensor calls for full headlights to be on, then yes, your rear lights will come on just as if you were in the "on" position.

If you have daytime running lights (DRL) enabled in iDrive, and you are in auto, and the sensor is not calling for your headlights to be on, then you will just get the angel eye halos at the front. There is no rear DRL unless you code these on.

James.

Correct. This is what it does on mine. So I just keep the switch on "all on".

M3Tooner · 11-10-2016, 11:08 AM

Resurrecting this old thread to see if anyone with newer F8x are still seeing this issue of Headlights ON all the time even when it seems like there is a lot of daylight out.

Is there a service bulletin for this? I would prefer not to code my car to fix this problem because it used to work normally just a couple months ago. It would automatically turn ON/OFF when I entered a tunnel or parking garage. I'm wondering if something broke or is it just November now and the days are shorter and the sensor is just super sensitive.

In my 2016 M3, the HVAC digital readout is white during the day and amber during the night. This feature is still working like normal. Based on that, I know that the car has no problems recognizing when it is day or night out. But for some reason my headlights are just ON all the time. The Auto Mode is just useless at this point. Made sure my windshield is clean where the light sensor is in the rear view mirror.

lemetier · 11-10-2016, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Tooner

Resurrecting this old thread to see if anyone with newer F8x are still seeing this issue of Headlights ON all the time even when it seems like there is a lot of daylight out.

Is there a service bulletin for this? I would prefer not to code my car to fix this problem because it used to work normally just a couple months ago. It would automatically turn ON/OFF when I entered a tunnel or parking garage. I'm wondering if something broke or is it just November now and the days are shorter and the sensor is just super sensitive.

In my 2016 M3, the HVAC digital readout is white during the day and amber during the night. This feature is still working like normal. Based on that, I know that the car has no problems recognizing when it is day or night out. But for some reason my headlights are just ON all the time. The Auto Mode is just useless at this point. Made sure my windshield is clean where the light sensor is in the rear view mirror.

The interior Day/night photo sensors are in the instrument cluster and CID frame so that change can be out of sync with the lights.

As far as the headlights, if the rear facing sensor in the mirror detects the sun at a fairly low angle while the front sensor detects reasonable ambient light, it does turn on the head lights nearing sunset or keeps them on if driving with the sunrise to allow approaching traffic to better see you. The DRLs are actually quite bright and glaring.

bd307 · 11-10-2016, 01:52 PM

My car has the problem since the day 1 and BMW acknowledged that my car was missing a module and causing the headlights and interior lighting not working properly.

My interior lighting (both front and rear) does not work and I have to manually switch the headlights from ON to halo when I want them to.

LOW4LYF · 11-10-2016, 01:55 PM

Let me guess... the sky was blue? And yes ... that's a real question

... sun plus blue sky can confuse the sensor...

M3Tooner · 11-10-2016, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemetier

The interior Day/night photo sensors are in the instrument cluster and CID frame so that change can be out of sync with the lights.

As far as the headlights, if the rear facing sensor in the mirror detects the sun at a fairly low angle while the front sensor detects reasonable ambient light, it does turn on the head lights nearing sunset or keeps them on if driving with the sunrise to allow approaching traffic to better see you. The DRLs are actually quite bright and glaring.

Thanks. I guess maybe the conditions truly calls for the headlights to be turned ON. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a setting that I have accidentally changed or maybe there was a malfunction somewhere.

Figurka I didn't pay attention to whether the sky was blue or not. I just know that it seems bright enough out that even most other cars' headlights are already turned OFF. My other non BMW cars at home does not behave like this.

bd307 The Halo's are activated by DRL setting in i-Drive. They are independent of the headlights.

backagain · 11-10-2016, 05:01 PM

Mine switches from headlight on to DRL midway through my morning commute. Sometimes I do wonder why the headlights are on as I can clearly see the roads/cars. So it really is about the sensitivity of the daylight sensor. It doesn't bother me enough to have it coded.

Sedan_Clan · 11-10-2016, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinimod

I actually manually turn the switch to headlights always on, because rear lights do not turn on in "auto" mode. Not only it is less safe, the car actually looks better from rear when rear lamps are on.

And there is no egg yolk effect on these F8x headlight LEDs so no reason to not drive "all on" for me.

You can code your rear lights to be on when your DRL's are on. You can also specify full rear or partial (...inner or outer).

01-23-2015, 04:25 PM	#1
dclowd9901 Captain 120 Rep 616 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Auto Headlights on all the time? This morning I noticed my headlamps (not halos) were on full time during my drive into work. it would only switch back to the halos if I manually turned the switch. It was early, but there was plentiful light, so I'm wondering why they never switched to just normal halos. Has anyone else noticed this? __________________ ED 11/3/14 2015 M3, AW, SO, DCT, 19" blk wheels, HK, Lighting/Exec/Tech packages, ad. susp.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-23-2015, 04:28 PM	#2
kinimod Lieutenant 134 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 911 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	The sensor is intelligent enough to detect fog or direct sunlight. In situations like these, it is safer to turn on headlamps, not just the halos. Are you sure it was a clear daylight with no fog and no strong/direct sunlight?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2015, 04:40 PM	#4
JDS Lieutenant 192 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2021 MBB F97 X3MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (1)	If it was early morning and the sun was low in the sky, the sensors will switch on the full headlamps and not just the angel eyes. Similarly, they will do this when approaching sunset. It is described in the manual I believe. __________________ Drives: 2021 F97 X3MC LCI - Marina Bay Blue Metallic Gone: 2019 G16 840i GC - Frozen Bluestone Metallic Gone: 2018 F80 M3C - Sakhir II Orange Metallic Gone: 2015 F80 M3 - Mineral Grey Metallic
	Appreciate 1 cotmfk2049.50 Quote

01-23-2015, 05:03 PM	#5
dclowd9901 Captain 120 Rep 616 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Visibility was good, but based on your comments, I'm guessing it wasn't "bright enough". No problem. I too wish there was a sensitivity dial, but at least I probably don't have any electrical gremlins to worry about. __________________ ED 11/3/14 2015 M3, AW, SO, DCT, 19" blk wheels, HK, Lighting/Exec/Tech packages, ad. susp.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2015, 05:26 PM	#6
Kief Major General 4440 Rep 5,733 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	I have the LEDs, and turn on my parking lights during these dawn/dusk conditions. Those with xenons can do the same, but then you get that nasty "egg yolk" look __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2015, 06:17 PM	#7
YMB-M3-J2 Major 258 Rep 1,309 Posts Drives: YMB M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW X6M [0.00] 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW X4 35i [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 (SOLD) [0.00] 2012 BMW 328i SL(SOLD) [0.00] 2008 BMW 328i (SOLD) [0.00] 2007 C230 Komp (SOLD) [0.00] 1999 BMW 328i (SOLD) [0.00]	i turned the sensitivity down on my LED's via coding and it helped with that a lot but every now and then it turns on with "enough" light in my opinion. Here is the code for those that code. Fembody 3130 RLS_DEF_FLC_SCHWELLWERT_SATZ change to unempfindlich
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2015, 11:56 PM	#9
NorCal f80 Lieutenant Colonel 346 Rep 1,656 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (0)	Yes, my LEDs are sensitive. Thought it was only me. I'll be coding this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2015, 01:18 AM	#10
dkhm3 Brigadier General 1882 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 2020 X3MC Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	yep noticed this too- my leds are on even when full daylight today. __________________ Currently: 2018 GT3 2020 X3MC Previously: 1999 M3 2002 M3 2005 S4 2008 C63 2015 M3 2016 X5M 2019 911S
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2015, 10:25 AM	#11
cctm4me First Lieutenant 137 Rep 372 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Didn't I just see someone report a possible open campaign for the sensor or programming involving the headlights? Maybe I am crazy. __________________ M4 - White Sex Panther E46 M3 - Pablo the cocaine smuggling donkey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2015, 08:07 PM	#12
kinimod Lieutenant 134 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 911 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I actually manually turn the switch to headlights always on, because rear lights do not turn on in "auto" mode. Not only it is less safe, the car actually looks better from rear when rear lamps are on. And there is no egg yolk effect on these F8x headlight LEDs so no reason to not drive "all on" for me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2015, 08:25 PM	#14
JDS Lieutenant 192 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2021 MBB F97 X3MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (1)	If you are in auto mode and the sensor calls for full headlights to be on, then yes, your rear lights will come on just as if you were in the "on" position. If you have daytime running lights (DRL) enabled in iDrive, and you are in auto, and the sensor is not calling for your headlights to be on, then you will just get the angel eye halos at the front. There is no rear DRL unless you code these on. James. __________________ Drives: 2021 F97 X3MC LCI - Marina Bay Blue Metallic Gone: 2019 G16 840i GC - Frozen Bluestone Metallic Gone: 2018 F80 M3C - Sakhir II Orange Metallic Gone: 2015 F80 M3 - Mineral Grey Metallic
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2016, 11:08 AM	#16
M3Tooner Private First Class 140 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Resurrecting this old thread to see if anyone with newer F8x are still seeing this issue of Headlights ON all the time even when it seems like there is a lot of daylight out. Is there a service bulletin for this? I would prefer not to code my car to fix this problem because it used to work normally just a couple months ago. It would automatically turn ON/OFF when I entered a tunnel or parking garage. I'm wondering if something broke or is it just November now and the days are shorter and the sensor is just super sensitive. In my 2016 M3, the HVAC digital readout is white during the day and amber during the night. This feature is still working like normal. Based on that, I know that the car has no problems recognizing when it is day or night out. But for some reason my headlights are just ON all the time. The Auto Mode is just useless at this point. Made sure my windshield is clean where the light sensor is in the rear view mirror.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2016, 01:52 PM	#18
bd307 Chef 927 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: Things with wheels or no wheel Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0)	My car has the problem since the day 1 and BMW acknowledged that my car was missing a module and causing the headlights and interior lighting not working properly. My interior lighting (both front and rear) does not work and I have to manually switch the headlights from ON to halo when I want them to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2016, 01:55 PM	#19
LOW4LYF Brigadier General 2163 Rep 4,106 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & F85 X5M Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: @Home iTrader: (1)	Let me guess... the sky was blue? And yes ... that's a real question ... sun plus blue sky can confuse the sensor...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2016, 05:01 PM	#21
backagain just a fool 345 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2016 SO coded M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: CA bay area iTrader: (0)	Mine switches from headlight on to DRL midway through my morning commute. Sometimes I do wonder why the headlights are on as I can clearly see the roads/cars. So it really is about the sensitivity of the daylight sensor. It doesn't bother me enough to have it coded.
	Appreciate 0 Quote