Headlights stay on if door/trunk open
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Headlights stay on if door/trunk open
I have noticed that if I park my '98 with the lights on and leave a door (ok, I don't usualy leave a door open on purpose) or the trunk open, the headlights will stay on indefinitely. I suppose this is just the car trying to be helpful; it figures that either you are unloading something, or it doesn't want you to forget that you have left the trunk open. Great if you're parked in a driveway and forgot to close the trunk. But if I pull into the garage, purposely open the trunk and go into the house, the headlights remain on until I return. Anyone know if there is a way to turn this "feature" off?
#3
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found the list of adjustable settings, but there does not seem to be one for this. But thanks for reminding me about the list, because I realized that ths problem may only occur when the lights are in "on" mode, as contrasted to "auto." I prefer to use "auto," but find that the auto setting doesn't turn the lights on as soon as I want them at dusk; by getting the sensitivity setting adjusted, perhaps I can keep the lights in auto mode and avoid this admittedly minor (at least until it drain the battery) issue.
#4
Lead Lap
It is normal for the headlights and all other exterior lights to stay on when the switch is in the auto position and while a door or the trunk lid is open. It works that way on my 2000 LS400.
If I want the exterior lights turn off immediately, I flick the switch from auto to off and then back to auto.
It sounds like the best setting of the "LIGHT OFF DELAY" for you would be "OFF" so that the exterior lights would turn off immediately when you open a door.
My "LIGHT OFF DELAY" is currently set to the standard 30 seconds but it might be better for us if was set to 60 or 90 seconds. When parking on poorly or unlit streets or in people's driveways I try to position the car so its headlights light up our path so we can see as we walk away from the car.
When parking outside at night and when I don't want to use the LIGHT OFF DELAY, I just press the lock button on the key a second time to turn the lights off immediately.
If I want the exterior lights turn off immediately, I flick the switch from auto to off and then back to auto.
It sounds like the best setting of the "LIGHT OFF DELAY" for you would be "OFF" so that the exterior lights would turn off immediately when you open a door.
My "LIGHT OFF DELAY" is currently set to the standard 30 seconds but it might be better for us if was set to 60 or 90 seconds. When parking on poorly or unlit streets or in people's driveways I try to position the car so its headlights light up our path so we can see as we walk away from the car.
When parking outside at night and when I don't want to use the LIGHT OFF DELAY, I just press the lock button on the key a second time to turn the lights off immediately.
#6
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suppose the answer is as Kansas says, to turn the lights from auto to off and back. I like the delay feature most of the time (except when parking less than legaly); beside, I'm not sure changing the delay setting would make a difference if the trunk was open; I think the lights would still stay on. The problem is not a big deal; it just surprised me since all the other little conveniences are so well thought out and consistent with how I use the car. I guess I'm getting spoiled by perfection.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post