brandsb

This may be an old one but I haven't been able to find it in the search function. Can someone tell me why the parking lights come on and then stay on if any of the non-driver's doors are opened when the car is parked (2004 model). I originally assumed that this was a convenience feature but unless you then open the driver's door, the parking lights are permanently on. I've killed my battery in my garage by grabbing something from the back seat at night and then the system is lit overnight. I now always open and shut the driver's door to turn the lights off after accessing the vehicle via another door but it's a silly process. Any thoughts?

Rudy

It's an old software bug -- they tried fixing it once because early software versions left the headlights on, not just the parking lights -- let me guess, this only happens if you leave the headlight switch set to "auto" with the key in the ignition while the car's been parked for a while...right?

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?s=&sho...ost&p=85283

brandsb

Excellent! Once again, absolutely correct description and diagnosis..

Does this mean that an up-level version of the CIP will correct this?

ipp

Hmm.. That doesn't sound right. The parking lights are on until you've opened the driver's door. Due to my dealer it's a safety feature if you've stoped along a dark road.

GP550iSport

My parking lights stay on as well and they only turn off when I open the driver's side door. I was told the same thing about this being a safety feature.

Rudy

There's no safety issue here...

Keep in mind that this bug happens when the headlight switch is in the "auto" postion, not when the parking lights are actually switched on. In other words, if you're stopped on a dark road, you can turn the parking lights on and they'll stay on until the battery dies, regardless of what door is opened, etc.

The software bug we're talking about happens when the the headlight switch is set to auto, the car has been sleeping with the key in the ignition, and a door other than the driver's door is opened. When these conditions are met, the parking lights (or headlights if you have a really old CIP version) come on. The lights will stay on until the driver's door is opened or the battery dies.

I really don't know if this issue has been fixed in newer software versions. It's clearly not yet fixed on my current 20.02 version...

JMB

That's not what he is asking. Read carefully:
"Can someone tell me why the parking lights COME ON and then stay on if any of the non-driver's doors are opened when the car is parked" ie. the car is parked and closed, open any of the non-driver's doors, lights (not only inside) turn on, close the door, lights remain on.
This was clearly a bug...

ipp

I don't think it's a bug. Why would BMW not manage to fix this in two years time? And why would the lights switch off only depending on if the drivers door was opened?

In Sweden (and some other nordic countrys) where I am the xenonos are programed to allways go on when you start the car without the switch in 'auto'. That shows it has nothing to do with the 'auto'-mode.

IF it's a bug; it's a bug that became a feature, and I think and hope they'll keep it like it is.

GP550iSport

My mistake and apologies.....

ipp

ditto!