Auto headlights not working - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

ralper · 08-30-2012, 09:10 PM

My headlights don't go off during the day when the switch is set to autoheadlights. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know the solution?

ZmmF30xi · 08-30-2012, 09:25 PM

Maybe the rain/light sensor is faulty.. bring it to service...

Elk · 08-30-2012, 09:53 PM

They will stay on in the morning and evening when there is a clear, bright sky when no one would feel headlights are necessary. It is a quirk in the system.

If they remain on at mid-day there is a malfunction which needs to be addressed.

bobert · 08-31-2012, 09:57 AM

Not being a smart-a$$, but this wouldn't be worth a service visit to me - I'd just turn them off and on when I want/need to. I think automatic headlights are a solution in search of a problem.

Frogman · 08-31-2012, 10:53 AM

Mine were also turning on at times that I thought they shouldn't

I mentioned it when I took it in for service, but they said it was operating as designed.

The lights come on at "low" angles of the sun as a safety feature as it makes the car more visible at those times.

When I don't want them on, I just turn the switch off of auto mode.

matt_335Ci · 08-31-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper

My headlights don't go off during the day when the switch is set to autoheadlights. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know the solution?

yes this is a problem that drives me nuts, as my 4 previous BMWs NEVER had this issue with Auto headlights. The sensor on the F30 is stupid sensitive, I even wasted my time taking it to the dealership so they could reset and check the sensor. I just operate the headlights manually now.

dd1981 · 08-31-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobert

Not being a smart-a$$, but this wouldn't be worth a service visit to me - I'd just turn them off and on when I want/need to. I think automatic headlights are a solution in search of a problem.

Or go into your i dirve settings and in settings turn off the daytime running lamps, see if that helps...

MaestroAl · 08-31-2012, 12:40 PM

I thought they were supposed to be on? That's what the video ont eh BMW website says anyway. They're called daytime running lights aren't they?

matt_335Ci · 09-01-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

I thought they were supposed to be on? That's what the video ont eh BMW website says anyway. They're called daytime running lights aren't they?

if you want your Halo lights running during the day in the OFF or AUTO position you must have your DRLs ON in iDrive.

OC 650 Coupe · 11-12-2012, 11:50 AM

Does anyone have the solution to this problem? My 650 has the same issue. The auto on/off function was fine for about the first 20min, and then the headlights would turn on even in bright daylight. This appears to happen only after I replaced the factory angel-eye light bulb with an after-market LED. Does your car have the after-market LED for the angel eye?

shivaswrath · 11-12-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elk

They will stay on in the morning and evening when there is a clear, bright sky when no one would feel headlights are necessary. It is a quirk in the system.

If they remain on at mid-day there is a malfunction which needs to be addressed.

Usually, after 9am, they should be off....in the evening ,they turn on at dusk. It's really odd....

at 12pm, if it's on, then you have a problem. Unless it's dark out at 12pm.

Fishjr · 11-12-2012, 02:34 PM

OP, you may have checked this but do you have Fog lights turned on? As I recall, if you have fog lights on and lamps set to Auto, they will be on no matter how bright it is outside.

BavarianFanatic · 11-12-2012, 05:50 PM

Not sure where the ambient sensor is on the F30, but if it's on the dash make sure you don't have it covered with anything. I know this is really obvious, but I work with folks who've had these exact issues in the past and it was because they tossed their papers/notebooks on the dash covering the sensor...

S-Dot · 11-12-2012, 06:12 PM

I believe it's in the rearview mirror mount, so the windshield needs to be relatively clean.

ric124 · 11-13-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sveinsdóttir

I believe it's in the rearview mirror mount, so the windshield needs to be relatively clean.

its right side on the backside of rearview mirror.

I think the video on the BMW usb drive says if the sun is directly behind you or directly infront of you then lights will be on. So basically depending on your commute then on your way to work and on your way home chances of the headlights being on is high.

ralper · 11-13-2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobert

I think automatic headlights are a solution in search of a problem.

I agree with you. Only a few years ago this was the kind of thing that BMW called advanced gimmickry. Still from a company that sells its cars as "The ultimate driving machine" and a company that prides itself on engineering, you'd think that if included a feature in a car they'd get it right.

I have heard the same thing as ric124 having to do with the position of the sun. I find that to be a lame excuse.

ric124 · 11-14-2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper

I agree with you. Only a few years ago this was the kind of thing that BMW called advanced gimmickry. Still from a company that sells its cars as "The ultimate driving machine" and a company that prides itself on engineering, you'd think that if included a feature in a car they'd get it right.

I have heard the same thing as ric124 having to do with the position of the sun. I find that to be a lame excuse.

Its on the video on the thumb drive that BMW gave you. Its really not a big deal anyway. The lights work really well when needed.

08-30-2012, 09:10 PM	#1
ralper New Jersey's Favorite Son Drives: 2012 BMW 328i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Randolph, NJ Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	Auto headlights not working My headlights don't go off during the day when the switch is set to autoheadlights. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know the solution? __________________ 2012 BMW 328i Sport Edition Imperial Blue 2002 Honda S2000 Sebring Silver/Black 2006 Honda Si Alabaster Silver/Black
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08-31-2012, 12:40 PM	#8
MaestroAl Major Drives: Superman 330D M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,195 iTrader: (0)	I thought they were supposed to be on? That's what the video ont eh BMW website says anyway. They're called daytime running lights aren't they? __________________ "Superman 330D M Sport" Estoril Blue / Coral Red 2PF\|ZAP\|ZMP\|ZVI\|2VF\|3AP\|420\|488\|494\|5DC\|688\|6NR IT ARRIVED!

11-12-2012, 11:50 AM	#10
OC 650 Coupe Registered Drives: 2008 BMW 650 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Auto headlights not working Does anyone have the solution to this problem? My 650 has the same issue. The auto on/off function was fine for about the first 20min, and then the headlights would turn on even in bright daylight. This appears to happen only after I replaced the factory angel-eye light bulb with an after-market LED. Does your car have the after-market LED for the angel eye?

11-12-2012, 02:34 PM	#12
Fishjr New Member Drives: Daily Driver Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: GA Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	Fog lights on? OP, you may have checked this but do you have Fog lights turned on? As I recall, if you have fog lights on and lamps set to Auto, they will be on no matter how bright it is outside.

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08-30-2012, 09:25 PM	#2
ZmmF30xi Enlisted Member Drives: 328xi M sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	Maybe the rain/light sensor is faulty.. bring it to service...

08-30-2012, 09:53 PM	#3
Elk Captain Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: * Posts: 894 iTrader: (0)	They will stay on in the morning and evening when there is a clear, bright sky when no one would feel headlights are necessary. It is a quirk in the system. If they remain on at mid-day there is a malfunction which needs to be addressed.

08-31-2012, 09:57 AM	#4
bobert Private First Class Drives: '13 F30 335i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: MD, USA Posts: 109 iTrader: (0)	Not being a smart-a$$, but this wouldn't be worth a service visit to me - I'd just turn them off and on when I want/need to. I think automatic headlights are a solution in search of a problem.

08-31-2012, 10:53 AM	#5
Frogman Captain Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 946 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [5.00]	Mine were also turning on at times that I thought they shouldn't I mentioned it when I took it in for service, but they said it was operating as designed. The lights come on at "low" angles of the sun as a safety feature as it makes the car more visible at those times. When I don't want them on, I just turn the switch off of auto mode.

11-12-2012, 05:50 PM	#13
BavarianFanatic Too much is never enough Drives: Too Many Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 718 iTrader: (0)	Not sure where the ambient sensor is on the F30, but if it's on the dash make sure you don't have it covered with anything. I know this is really obvious, but I work with folks who've had these exact issues in the past and it was because they tossed their papers/notebooks on the dash covering the sensor...

11-12-2012, 06:12 PM	#14
S-Dot Private First Class Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Luxury Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: near Calgary Posts: 121 iTrader: (0)	I believe it's in the rearview mirror mount, so the windshield needs to be relatively clean.