[JustForFun]

At least I think it's weird.

Here's the deal.

All 3 days this week (Mon.- Wed.), my headlights, (which are ALWAYS set to the "auto" position), would always come on when starting the car for work in the morning. In fact they would stay on all the way to work.

BUT, this was at 7:45 - 8:00 AM, the sun was completely up, so much so that I would have to wear sunglasses every morning AND use the visor. There were NO clouds in the sky and it was just plain "bright" out, IMHO.

Now this morrning.

It is the same time of day, 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM, BUT it is SNOWING, the sky is COMPLETELY covered in clouds and visibility is probaly only 100- 250 yards as it blowing around a lot. No sun to speak of. It is MUCH darker than it was Mon-Wed.

But the lights DO NOT come on in "auto" mode. They simply refuse. All the way to work. Moving the setting manually to turn them on, they come on. Auto - nothing.

WTF?!

Is this normal? I would think that as it was darker and less sunny, especially with the reduced visibility of the snow, the lights would surely come on in auto. Anybody else notice this??

My EVIC says version 3.61 and they always seemed to work properly before. Also, is the sensor that sets these things off the little plastic bubble behind the center dash speaker??

I REALLY hate having to "once again" have my dealer look into this. Reason being I am sure they will simply dismiss it, say they are all that way, they couldn't reproduce it, blah, blah, blah.

JFF

 

[Northern Rider]

We have these conditions all the time. sometimes they come on, sometimes they don't. Snow is pretty bright and reflective. Don't think it warrants a trip to the dealer. Found the same thing on other makes with "auto" lights.

 

[cmego]

Try it at night. If they don't come on in auto, something's broken.

 

[DZeckhausen]

We have these conditions all the time. sometimes they come on, sometimes they don't. Snow is pretty bright and reflective. Don't think it warrants a trip to the dealer. Found the same thing on other makes with "auto" lights.

I agree. I've had the same experience with several auto-headlight cars, including my 1991 Taurus SHO. The system isn't perfect and I'll occasionally override it on snowy or foggy days. Unless you have a problem at night, I would chalk this up as normal.

 

[JustForFun]

Thanks guys.

It does work fine at night. This is the first time I have had this system on a vehicle. I guess I just expected it to work "better", especially during times (snow) when having lights on is very important and much safer. In today's advanced technological age, I guess I just expect more. I will deal with it and chalk it up as another learning experience.

Thanks for setting me straight and helping me to understand the current state and performance of this technology.

JFF

 

[HaTaX]

Yeah, the auto headlight system is a little picky on this car... If the wipers come on and activate the lights with them, they won't shut off until the car is turned off and back on.

Mine have even waited about 15-20 seconds to come on in pitch black outside where normally they take 1-3 seconds...... Just little weirdnesses here and there.

 

[jeepgrady]

IMHO, your auto lights are not working properly. My car is garaged. When I get in in the morning, or any other time for that matter, the lights go on. About 30 seconds after I back out of the garage, the lights go off. This works the same way as my '01 Grand Cherokee.

If your lights stay on all the way to work, they are not functioning right. Take it to the dealer. I know it hurts, but you don't have many options.

 

[Northern Rider]

IMHO, your auto lights are not working properly. My car is garaged. When I get in in the morning, or any other time for that matter, the lights go on. About 30 seconds after I back out of the garage, the lights go off. This works the same way as my '01 Grand Cherokee.

If your lights stay on all the way to work, they are not functioning right. Take it to the dealer. I know it hurts, but you don't have many options.

That's not what he's saying. He says they don't come on during the day with cloud and snow. This is typical of auto lights. I have an 02 Grand Cherokee. It has to get fairly dark before they come on.

We don't worry about it in Canada as all our cars have DRL.

 

[HEMEEE]

That's not what he's saying. He says they don't come on during the day with cloud and snow. This is typical of auto lights. I have an 02 Grand Cherokee. It has to get fairly dark before they come on.

We don't worry about it in Canada as all our cars have DRL.

WADR , actually he said they did come on 3 days in a row while it was sunny, but didn't come on when it was snowing. I'll buy the reflective snow theory for the latter scenario, but this doesn't explain the first.

I'd agree with jeepgrady and suggest you have them looked at during next service visit.

 

[Northern Rider]

WADR , actually he said they did come on 3 days in a row while it was sunny, but didn't come on when it was snowing. I'll buy the reflective snow theory for the latter scenario, but this doesn't explain the first.

I'd agree with jeepgrady and suggest you have them looked at during next service visit.

My humble apologies, jeepgrady. Nurse L is right. I failed to read the first line of the post correctly. Definitely a service issue.

 

[JustForFun]

Crap.

So now you guys are saying that they might NOT be working right??

I guess I will mention it when I go in next time.

BTW, as I asked before, is the sensor that plastic bubble behind the center speaker on the dash?

Thanks everyone.

JFF

 

[Two300Cs]

Crap.

So now you guys are saying that they might NOT be working right??

I guess I will mention it when I go in next time.

BTW, as I asked before, is the sensor that plastic bubble behind the center speaker on the dash?

Thanks everyone.

JFF

Mine work the same, Mrs states hers do the same thing on overcast mornings. Have noticed the last couple of mornings which were sunny that they pop on and stay on until I get to work. Ill double check tomorrow.

 

[JPB68]

my lights do the same thing. Sometimes on at wierd times and today, very overcast it took overriding or putting the wipers on for a while. They don't go on when wiper sensors are activated though. It has to be during a normal wiper cycling. I have a feeling this is just a flaw that the dealer cannot rectify. They always go on at night and in the garage. I think like the pull right just something to live with.

 

[jeepgrady]

I disagree. You should not just live with these problems. I for one, will not take no for an answer.
One thing that I have come to realize. This is a new vehicle to the dealers as well as to us. On the other hand, it has now been out one year. At this time they should be aware as to how to approach and correct any problems. If they do not, then you should take your car to another dealer. If that still doesn't work, go up the chain of command, as far as you have to in order to gain satisfaction.

Hell, we paid good money for these cars. Anything short of perfection should not be tolerated. Anyone who does, just makes it worse for everyone else.

 

[Lik2race]

Well Said !!

I disagree. You should not just live with these problems. I for one, will not take no for an answer.
One thing that I have come to realize. This is a new vehicle to the dealers as well as to us. On the other hand, it has now been out one year. At this time they should be aware as to how to approach and correct any problems. If they do not, then you should take your car to another dealer. If that still doesn't work, go up the chain of command, as far as you have to in order to gain satisfaction.

Hell, we paid good money for these cars. Anything short of perfection should not be tolerated. Anyone who does, just makes it worse for everyone else.

Best piece of advice I have heard yet.

 

[HEMEEE]

jeepgrady, I agree with you, although I don't expect perfection, I do expect damn close to it.

I may be able to "live with" headlight weirdness, but I REFUSE to "live with" the right pull or any of the long-term issues it will create, such as premature tire wear!!