Delay Headlights (Headlamps)?

[slvslv]

Maybe I just imagined this but aren't the headlights (in the AUTO position) supposed to stay on a little while after you turn off the car? Mine shut off the moment I turn off the car (regardless of whether the smart key is inserted in it's slot or not).

If I leave the lights in the ON or Parking Lights position, they will stay on until the driver's door is opened and then closed but that means my lights are on whenever the car is operating, regardless of day or night.

Is there a setting somewhere that anyone knows of where I can adjust how long they stay on? Thanks in advance. Brent

 

[STREETS]

I drove 2010 non-tech while my 09 was in for NAV upgrade and was surprised to find it had a headlamp delay.

 

[Akin67]

I have a 2011 and my headlights stay on for at least 30 seconds after I shutoff the car.

 

[STREETS]

The 09's do not- shut off- everything goes off

 

[slvslv]

Thanks for the info guys. That's a bummer. I wonder if it's just a module that can be swapped out with one from a 2010 or 2011?

 

[DJaxx]

I have a 2011 and my headlights stay on for at least 30 seconds after I shutoff the car.

I have a 2010 and the same here (by design). Only way to shut them off immediately is to set the alarm via the smare key fob.

 

[mike02ss]

Anyone know where the sensor is for the auto headlights. For some reason mine will go on during the middle of the day sometimes, seems kind of too sensitive.

 

[mikec]

Thanks for the info guys. That's a bummer. I wonder if it's just a module that can be swapped out with one from a 2010 or 2011?

I think this is in the "FAM" (Front Area Module) box which is the large black gizmo inside one of the plastic electrical boxes in the back/passenger corner of the engine bay. The FAM has the headlights, turn signals, etc. functions. I don't know if later FAM modules are electrically pin-out compatible with the earlier cars... if so, this might add the 30 second headlight delay and the 3-blinks to pass turn signal function to the early cars. The factory service manuals are available online (www.hmaservice.com) so somebody with some time on their hands could get the relevant sections of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 manuals and compare the pinouts/connectors. I've wanted to do this myself but it's waaaayyy down the priority list.

I have no idea what this module costs either; it's basically a small/dedicated computer module. Like most car electrical things, it probably costs 10x what it's really worth in parts.

Auto headlamp sensor: one of the two sensors on the dash near the base of the windshield most likely. Easy test: during the daylight, start the car and set the lights to AUTO. Cover one sensor and see if that triggers the lights or not. Folks have noted the auto headlights are over-sensitive, especially at dusk where they'll flip on-off-on-off quite a bit. Driving under bridge/overpass is generally enough to trigger them too.

mike c.