Can't get headlights to turn on automatically when unlocking - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

BMW86 · 08-26-2011, 04:22 AM

I can't get my headlights to turn on when I unlock my car. It used to always function this way.

I have recently installed the LUX angel eyes but don't think it has had any affect on it. I have been turning the headlights to the 0 position lately as I've had to work on the car with the ignition on so I try and preserve the battery but I always turn it back to Auto.

Car is an 08 build with iDrive. I have ticked all the options in the Settings>Lights including Welcome Lights. I have left the headlights in the Auto position.

Also, not sure if it's relevant but I've had the low battery light come on a few times in the last month or so.

Any ideas?

AW128i · 08-26-2011, 06:53 AM

If you leave the switch in the off position (0), then the lights will not turn on when you unlock the car. You have to leave the switch in the Auto position in order for the pathway lighting to come on when you unlock the car.

BMW86 · 08-26-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AW128i

If you leave the switch in the off position (0), then the lights will not turn on when you unlock the car. You have to leave the switch in the Auto position in order for the pathway lighting to come on when you unlock the car.

Just to clarify I do put it back to Auto but it doesn't work. I think it's an issue with the battery.

Tom K. · 08-26-2011, 10:41 AM

When I got occaisional "low battery" warnings on my E91, the problem turned out to be an intermittent IBS fault, which can apparently cause all sorts of electrical gremlins.

Tom

Ash83 · 08-26-2011, 11:08 AM

did you check if you have the day running light option ON?

Boxtyp3 · 08-26-2011, 11:24 AM

Must be the battery. As the car is trying to save power.

LuxAngelEyes · 08-26-2011, 02:33 PM

you are probably trying to do it too often. You will need to let the car sit for a while because if you unlock / lock the car too often it times out.

wolfe · 08-26-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtyp3

Must be the battery. As the car is trying to save power.

I've seen mine do this after not being driven for a while, and I'm almost positive this is the reason.

adobeee · 08-26-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

you are probably trying to do it too often. You will need to let the car sit for a while because if you unlock / lock the car too often it times out.

+1

GotM · 08-26-2011, 05:25 PM

Are you using a different key now? They can operate the car differently if they are not programmed the same.

Kcc · 08-26-2011, 06:57 PM

I manually turn OFF and ON my head light and my signal light down flash if I leave it at OFF. No I-drive and it's a 2011 N55.

Kcc

BMW86 · 08-26-2011, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the responses. I think it is my battery as it worked when I pressed unlock last night so it's random. I know if I repeatedly press lock/unlock the headlights stop working after a while but that is not the problem.

I think it is unrelated to LUX as I've had them in for a couple of weeks with no issues. I'm 99% sure it's the battery as I've had to jump start my car about 3 weeks ago as well.

x5mad · 08-26-2011, 07:56 PM

It is definately because of low battery. This happens on my x5 if the battery is low. The ecu shuts off all unecessary peripherals so as to preserve the battery so that the car will start. It has an algorithim based on highest priority being able to start the car and so it will preserve as much power as possible by shutting off various modules.

Before you kill the battery it is advisable you hook it up to a charger at least overnight.

BMW86 · 08-26-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5mad

It is definately because of low battery. This happens on my x5 if the battery is low. The ecu shuts off all unecessary peripherals so as to preserve the battery so that the car will start. It has an algorithim based on highest priority being able to start the car and so it will preserve as much power as possible by shutting off various modules.

Before you kill the battery it is advisable you hook it up to a charger at least overnight.

That makes sense. Wouldn't it be better if the battery completely died and replaced rather than charging it? How long does charging prolong the life of the battery for? I'm still under warranty and would prefer BMW to replace it altogether.

x5mad · 08-26-2011, 08:31 PM

True. But in the first instance BMW would just charge the battery and then if happens again they will look into replacing it. I know mine died a few times before they would replace. They also fiddle around with the alternator settings so that it starts charging at lower thresholds.

BMW86 · 08-26-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5mad

True. But in the first instance BMW would just charge the battery and then if happens again they will look into replacing it. I know mine died a few times before they would replace. They also fiddle around with the alternator settings so that it starts charging at lower thresholds.

I've complained to them about the battery before and they said it looked normal during service

It's annoying though, if it gets worse I'll take it in.

08-26-2011, 04:22 AM	#1
BMW86 Major General Drives: BMW 135i / Kawa Ninja Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 8,619 iTrader: (0)	Can't get headlights to turn on automatically when unlocking I can't get my headlights to turn on when I unlock my car. It used to always function this way. I have recently installed the LUX angel eyes but don't think it has had any affect on it. I have been turning the headlights to the 0 position lately as I've had to work on the car with the ignition on so I try and preserve the battery but I always turn it back to Auto. Car is an 08 build with iDrive. I have ticked all the options in the Settings>Lights including Welcome Lights. I have left the headlights in the Auto position. Also, not sure if it's relevant but I've had the low battery light come on a few times in the last month or so. Any ideas? __________________ BMW 135i N54 TWIN TURBO Quarter Mile 12.173@113.70mph - Street Tyres Queensland Raceway Sprint 1:01:22 - Street Tyres Queensland Raceway Clubman 1:04:74 - Street Tyres Lakeside Raceway 1:03:97 - Street Tyres Last edited by BMW86; 08-26-2011 at 06:56 AM.
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08-26-2011, 11:08 AM	#5
Ash83 Major Drives: 05' 325i/10' 135i/10' Audi A4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,101 iTrader: (1)	did you check if you have the day running light option ON? __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth

08-26-2011, 02:33 PM	#7
LuxAngelEyes Drives: 2006 325xi, Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 2,235 iTrader: (10)	you are probably trying to do it too often. You will need to let the car sit for a while because if you unlock / lock the car too often it times out. __________________ We will be closed from 6/11 - 6/18 \| LUX H8 V4 - Color Adjustable Angel Eyes Visit our Web Site \| Like us on Facebook LUX H8 V3 \| LUX E90 v5.1 & LUX E90 LCI Halogen \| LUX Backup Lights GROUP BUY

08-26-2011, 05:25 PM	#10
GotM Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 232 iTrader: (0)	Are you using a different key now? They can operate the car differently if they are not programmed the same. __________________ 13 Subaru BRZ, WR Blue, 6M 09 BMW135i, Alpine White, Sport, 6M - sold 99 BMW M roadster, Estoril Blue - sold

08-26-2011, 06:57 PM	#11
Kcc First Lieutenant Drives: 4 Wheels with a turbo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Markham, Toronto Posts: 344 iTrader: (0)	I manually turn OFF and ON my head light and my signal light down flash if I leave it at OFF. No I-drive and it's a 2011 N55. Kcc __________________ 135i - AW

08-26-2011, 06:53 AM	#2
AW128i Captain Drives: E82 N51 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southeastern, PA Posts: 999 iTrader: (1)	If you leave the switch in the off position (0), then the lights will not turn on when you unlock the car. You have to leave the switch in the Auto position in order for the pathway lighting to come on when you unlock the car.

08-26-2011, 10:41 AM	#4
Tom K. Major General Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,220 iTrader: (0)	When I got occaisional "low battery" warnings on my E91, the problem turned out to be an intermittent IBS fault, which can apparently cause all sorts of electrical gremlins. Tom

08-26-2011, 11:24 AM	#6
Boxtyp3 Captain Drives: E82AW N54/ e92 BSM N55 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 745 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i [0.00] 2013 E92 335i [0.00]	Must be the battery. As the car is trying to save power.

08-26-2011, 07:18 PM	#12
BMW86 Major General Drives: BMW 135i / Kawa Ninja Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 8,619 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses. I think it is my battery as it worked when I pressed unlock last night so it's random. I know if I repeatedly press lock/unlock the headlights stop working after a while but that is not the problem. I think it is unrelated to LUX as I've had them in for a couple of weeks with no issues. I'm 99% sure it's the battery as I've had to jump start my car about 3 weeks ago as well. __________________ BMW 135i N54 TWIN TURBO Quarter Mile 12.173@113.70mph - Street Tyres Queensland Raceway Sprint 1:01:22 - Street Tyres Queensland Raceway Clubman 1:04:74 - Street Tyres Lakeside Raceway 1:03:97 - Street Tyres

08-26-2011, 07:56 PM	#13
x5mad Captain Drives: BMW 135i M Vert, BMW e70 X5 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 805 iTrader: (0)	It is definately because of low battery. This happens on my x5 if the battery is low. The ecu shuts off all unecessary peripherals so as to preserve the battery so that the car will start. It has an algorithim based on highest priority being able to start the car and so it will preserve as much power as possible by shutting off various modules. Before you kill the battery it is advisable you hook it up to a charger at least overnight.

08-26-2011, 08:31 PM	#15
x5mad Captain Drives: BMW 135i M Vert, BMW e70 X5 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 805 iTrader: (0)	True. But in the first instance BMW would just charge the battery and then if happens again they will look into replacing it. I know mine died a few times before they would replace. They also fiddle around with the alternator settings so that it starts charging at lower thresholds.

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