I Don't Get My Auto Headlights
10-01-2009, 05:33 PM
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I have never really understood my auto headlights. They always turn on at night. But they sometimes turn on in the middle of a sunny day. It hasn't been often enough to really bother me, but today they were on all day for some reason. I don't have daytime running lights. And all the interior/cluster lights are on. I would expect some flaky performance at dawn/dusk, but not in the middle of the day. Anyone else come across this?
10-01-2009, 06:28 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
Originally Posted by jherm' post='1022609' date='Oct 1 2009, 09:33 PM
I don't have daytime running lights.
10-01-2009, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='1022641' date='Oct 1 2009, 10:28 PM
You sure?
10-01-2009, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jherm' post='1022609' date='Oct 1 2009, 09:33 PM
I have never really understood my auto headlights. They always turn on at night. But they sometimes turn on in the middle of a sunny day. It hasn't been often enough to really bother me, but today they were on all day for some reason. I don't have daytime running lights. And all the interior/cluster lights are on. I would expect some flaky performance at dawn/dusk, but not in the middle of the day. Anyone else come across this?
Even with the new software, however, you may find the lights on more often in broad daylight. Here's a link to a thread about this -- take a look at the second post (by me) that attempts to explain why:
https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=26988
10-02-2009, 03:57 PM
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Maybe your light settings are too sensitive. You could try asking your dealer to change the sensitivity.
10-02-2009, 04:23 PM
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I noticed this issue also...middle of the day auto comes on. I also figured out if you press your fog light toggle when in the auto position, it will turn your lights and fogs ON! I have been leaving in the off position just because it comes on and off to often.
(06 550i)
(06 550i)
10-07-2009, 05:51 AM
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In case anyone wants to know BMW's position, take a look at this:
si_b_63_11_08_headlight_sensitivity.pdf
si_b_63_11_08_headlight_sensitivity.pdf
10-07-2009, 05:54 AM
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Ok, I kind of have the same problem. Sometimes when I leave work (it's still sunny in SoCal then) the normal headlights come on instead of the DRL's, other times the DRL's come on. When the normal headlights come on, they stay on. When the DRL's come on, when I pass under an overpass or bridge the headlights come on then turn off when I am back in the sun. What's up with that? 
10-07-2009, 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by pjinca' post='1026728' date='Oct 7 2009, 09:54 AM
Ok, I kind of have the same problem. Sometimes when I leave work (it's still sunny in SoCal then) the normal headlights come on instead of the DRL's, other times the DRL's come on. When the normal headlights come on, they stay on. When the DRL's come on, when I pass under an overpass or bridge the headlights come on then turn off when I am back in the sun. What's up with that?