Autolight Sensor

xdrive · 10-29-2006, 02:28 PM

Does the autolight thing not work so well? I always set my lights on auto, but recently I noticed that the xenon lights are always on. Even during sunny days. When I first got my car, I noticed that the autolight would turn the xenons on and off as I entered underneath a bridge. Now, the xenon lights are always on. Anyone know if this is b/c it's defective? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

SoYank · 10-29-2006, 04:48 PM

Is the windshield in front of the mirror dirty? Have you changed the sensitivity of the lights setting in the iDrive (if you have it)? If neither case applies, I'd suggest a trip to your BMW dealer.

Ryan 330i · 10-29-2006, 04:57 PM

mine is so intermittent. sometimes it stays on, sometimes it goes off. i gave up on it working right. but in all the audis i have driven its kinda the same way, so i guess its just kind of the nature of the technology.

Spacer · 10-29-2006, 05:19 PM

I've found on my E46 that changing the wiper blades often (I think I read that it should be every 3 months) makes quite a bit of difference to mine

///Matt · 10-29-2006, 05:20 PM

Did you tint your windows? the light sensor works on a comparison, comparing light in front of/above the car to light coming in your rear window.

Matt

xdrive · 10-29-2006, 07:06 PM

No, the windshield is sparkling clean.
My windshield wiper blades are fairly new.
Had it changed 4 months ago.
My windows are not tinted.
I'm gonna let the dealer know when
it's time for my 15k mile oil change.
Either it's defective or it's crap tech.

RightInTwo · 10-29-2006, 07:16 PM

I think you can change the sensitivity of the light sensor in the iDrive menu.

zamboni · 10-29-2006, 07:19 PM

I changed it to low level and sometimes it turn on right around 4:30PM even with sunlight. Can't get it to work correctly.

xdrive · 10-29-2006, 07:28 PM

No idrive.
Can I still adjust it?

tctic · 10-29-2006, 07:56 PM

I realized that the Xenon's are on when you are driving around sunrise and sunset. (i.e. direct sunlight in front of you) Otherwise, my Xenon's are on when they are supposed to.

Ray · 10-29-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdrive

No idrive.
Can I still adjust it?

The dealer should be able to adjust the three degrees of sensitivity for you, but you may have a greater problem then that. The highest level of sensitivity will still keep the headlight off during sunlight.

If your headlights are on all the time, you may have a switch problem. The auto mode switch signal on your car may be the same as the constant.

10-29-2006, 02:28 PM	#1
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Autolight Sensor Does the autolight thing not work so well? I always set my lights on auto, but recently I noticed that the xenon lights are always on. Even during sunny days. When I first got my car, I noticed that the autolight would turn the xenons on and off as I entered underneath a bridge. Now, the xenon lights are always on. Anyone know if this is b/c it's defective? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-29-2006, 04:48 PM	#2
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Is the windshield in front of the mirror dirty? Have you changed the sensitivity of the lights setting in the iDrive (if you have it)? If neither case applies, I'd suggest a trip to your BMW dealer. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 04:57 PM	#3
Ryan 330i Major 56 Rep 1,181 Posts Drives: '09 E93 335i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Francisco \| LA \| Oregon iTrader: (0)	mine is so intermittent. sometimes it stays on, sometimes it goes off. i gave up on it working right. but in all the audis i have driven its kinda the same way, so i guess its just kind of the nature of the technology. __________________ 2009 E93 335i \| Jet \| Black Dakota \| Grey Poplar \| ZPP \| ZSP \| ZCW \| Step \| Paddles \| i-Drive \| CA \| Sirius \| HD \| Logic7 \| 06FL \| 06NF \| PDC \| OEM Alarm \| LUX Retired: 2007 E92 335i Retired: 2006 E90 330i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 05:19 PM	#4
Spacer First Lieutenant 74 Rep 378 Posts Drives: M135i, becoming an X3! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 E46 330ci Sport [0.00]	I've found on my E46 that changing the wiper blades often (I think I read that it should be every 3 months) makes quite a bit of difference to mine
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 05:20 PM	#5
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Did you tint your windows? the light sensor works on a comparison, comparing light in front of/above the car to light coming in your rear window. Matt
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 07:06 PM	#6
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	No, the windshield is sparkling clean. My windshield wiper blades are fairly new. Had it changed 4 months ago. My windows are not tinted. I'm gonna let the dealer know when it's time for my 15k mile oil change. Either it's defective or it's crap tech.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 07:16 PM	#7
RightInTwo Enlisted Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: '06 SG E90 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nederland iTrader: (0)	I think you can change the sensitivity of the light sensor in the iDrive menu.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 07:19 PM	#8
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1131 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	I changed it to low level and sometimes it turn on right around 4:30PM even with sunlight. Can't get it to work correctly. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 07:28 PM	#9
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	No idrive. Can I still adjust it?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2006, 07:56 PM	#10
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I realized that the Xenon's are on when you are driving around sunrise and sunset. (i.e. direct sunlight in front of you) Otherwise, my Xenon's are on when they are supposed to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote