[TJBentley]

Has anyone had this problem before. When I used to leave my headlights in the auto position, at night they would come on automatically upon starting the car. Now, they stay off even when in the auto position at night. After driving a few minutes the lights will come on automatically. This happens in daytime or night time so basically in the daytime, once I've driven for a few minutes or less the lights will come on and stay on for the duration of the trip. I'm not talking about the DRL's neither, but the actual low beam headlights. Anyone have this issue or know what it could be

[493263]

Try turning the low beam on manually. If it comes on instantly, then it's not the bulb/ballast. Then check your sensor for malfunction. If the sensor is still good then the ECU is the only thing left.

I know some cars allow a delay before automatically turning on the headlights and you can adjust that but it's not supposed to be minutes. It's usually only 2-30 seconds max. Your description sounds more like a malfunction.

[TJBentley]

Originally Posted by 493263

Try turning the low beam on manually. If it comes on instantly, then it's not the bulb/ballast. Then check your sensor for malfunction. If the sensor is still good then the ECU is the only thing left.

I know some cars allow a delay before automatically turning on the headlights and you can adjust that but it's not supposed to be minutes. It's usually only 2-30 seconds max. Your description sounds more like a malfunction.

It does come on manually so it's definitely not the bulb. This problem has been going on for a few months anyhow. How could I check to see if the sensor is working? From my understanding it's on the rain sensing housing that's connected to the rear view mirror. If the sensor was bad does that mean the automatic rain sensor would go bad also? The rain sensing works fine btw. U mention the ECU what exactly is that and where is it located

[TJBentley]

UPDATE: I have now noticed that while in the auto position the lights will stay off until I reach ~8mph and then they will automatically turn on and stay on. I confirmed this by turning the lights off before reaching a red light and then switching it back into auto when stopped. They will stay off until I again the light turned green and I was up to 8mph.

[493263]

That sounds really weird.

The only thing I know that turns on when I reach a certain speed is the folded side mirror. It unfolds itself at 20mph or if you're in D for some distance.

[TJBentley]

Originally Posted by 493263

That sounds really weird.

The only thing I know that turns on when I reach a certain speed is the folded side mirror. It unfolds itself at 20mph or if you're in D for some distance.

Yup tell me about it. I noticed my rain sensing wipers do not work also. So there's gotta be a correlation between the two since they are in the same housing? Is there a fuse for these things

[The X Men]

Have you done any mod in the overhead lighting panel like changing to LED or tapping off power?

[TJBentley]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Have you done any mod in the overhead lighting panel like changing to LED or tapping off power?

I tried to change to led in the overhead panel but blew a fuse. That fuse is still blown actually.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by TJBentley

I tried to change to led in the overhead panel but blew a fuse. That fuse is still blown actually.

I think you short some thing out inside, I assume you already try to find the blown fuse and has no luck?

[TJBentley]

Originally Posted by The X Men

I think you short some thing out inside, I assume you already try to find the blown fuse and has no luck?

Possibly. I've been trying to find a fuse diagram that shows which fuse it is because the diagram provided by BMW on that white cardboard folded by the fuses does NO justice lol.

[TJBentley]

Originally Posted by The X Men

I think you short some thing out inside, I assume you already try to find the blown fuse and has no luck?

Thanks a million you are the man

[TJBentley]

UPDATE: so a while back I went to change the vanity lights to LEDs and ended up blowing the fuse and it's been that way ever since I guess because I didn't see any urgency in replacing it. A member here suggested that maybe my problems were due to that. So I replaced the fuse(#32) and wallah! My headlight and rain sensor issues are all gone! It never occurred to me that the blown fuse for the vanity lights would also have something to do with the automatic light and rain sensor. So anybody having the same issue as I was, here's your solution. These cars are very sensitive electronically so whenever any issues arise, I guess it's best to check the fuse box first. And to think I was about to buy a new light/rain sensor... Glad I avoided that

[The X Men]

TJBentley, I an glad everything work out for you