Lights on in daylight Auto switch

[David160]

When putting lights to Auto on my 2006 XJ8 4.2 the side and outer headlights are on continuously regardless of light levels. Can someone please advise what is the cause of this malfunction? Thanks

[J44EAG]

It isn`t a malfunction. The headlights can be set as running lights.

Go into the touch screen vehicle sttings and turn the function off if that is what you wish.

Personaly, I prefer to have headlight dipped beam on regardless of weather or light conditions. If I were to have a smash, I`d tell my insurance company the headlights were on but still some other clot managed to turn across me without noticing I was lit up like a Christmas tree!

Mike K.

[ptjs1]

Slightly at odds to the original question, but I'm really not sure that I agree with the use of dipped beam headlights during the day in good visibility. There was a proposal back in 08 (I think) to bring in compulsory dipped beam light usage during the day. It was dropped in the end in favour of smaller DRLs because of the expected rise in RTAs involving motorbikes. This is because motorbikes generally have an improved form of visibility through the use of their headlight. This would have been negated if all cars started driving around in the day with dipped beam headlights. As a motorcyclist also, I can really relate to this. So, I still flash my headlights at drivers using their dipped beam lights in good visibility conditions!

Paul

[snaefell]

Had my Jag for just a couple of weeks & it is the first car I have had with running lights,at the moment it is a novelty which I'm sure will wear off!
One thing I have noticed though is that there are so many cars running around with running lights of some forms these days but when the weather turns really bad so many are still running around with just these front lights on,nothing at the rear,sadly including police cars,can't make up my mind if people think they are enough or just too lazy to switch to 'propper' lights

[J44EAG]

I imagine that many people are not totally familiar with the functions built into their cars or have never read the owners manual.........To do so would take some effort, time and brain power and people are intrinsically lazy when it comes to studying. I must admit to being a little guilty of that myself. Two years after buying my car, I`ve only just discovered the extra lighter socket in the glove box!

I use the auto setting on my 350 for ensuring the road lighting comes on when poor light conditions prevail. At any time of the day or night the car lights up anytime I drive it. In addition the running light function is set to provide dipped headlights each and every time I select drive. Driving a black coloured car and using the running light setting I feel to be important. A black car is not always easily seen and I believe running with headlights even in bright weather is an aid to road safety. If my using headlight on dipped beam offends others eyes, well, in my opinion, thats just tough.

The majority of my car use is one motorways. Again use of dipped beam lights gives added warning of my presence as a fast moving vehicle n the outside lane and this can be no bad thing. Personally, I believe dipped headlights on motorways should be mandatory.

Mike

[David160]

Thanks for responses.

I forgot to mention in my post that I had previously tried to turn off the "running lights" function. I have tried again today and followed the instruction that the change only works after an ignition sequence, but even with the screen showing as "off" the lights are still illuminated when the ignition is turned on and the switch on "auto". I have only just purchased this vehicle so unsure of its history. Any further suggestions? Thanks

[BrianG]

Hi David,
If you have set the 'vehicle options' touch screen for daytime running lights to 'off' then the likely problem is a fault in the light sensor at the front of the dashboard. This is located at the base of the windscreen in the right hand half of the clear plastic bubble (the left hand half is the red LED of the alarm system that flashes when the alarm is set.) Assuming this bubble is not dirty, you can check its operation by turning the lighting stalk to 'off'. When the ignition is on, cover the bubble with something solid like a piece of cardboard; after a few seconds the message display in the instrument panel should say 'Light switch is off' and will disappear a few seconds after you remove the cardboard.

If you get the message without covering the sensor then the circuit board may be faulty or the connections may be suspect. The sensor circuit board assembly - which includes the black sunlight sensor - snaps into the dashboard top and can be removed by slipping a thin tool under the edge of the surrounding bezel and gently prising it out. You can check the connector /wiring once it's out, and if you are electronically minded it's worth checking the circuit board for dry soldered joints on the sensor or perhaps replace the sensor itself. If you are not confident with changing components then the entire assembly can be replaced for about £25. Part number appears to be XR82803 (SNG Barratt web site)

[snaefell]

I agree being lazy/not thinking may be a probable reason for not putting on lights,I know another reason people give is that their eyesight is fine & they can see,ignoring the problem of other people seeing them,I agree about making sure you are seen especially as has been said when driving fast on motorways although,being a bit of a dinosaur I am a little loathe to rely so much on new technology,I prefer to manually control the lights,I have used auto a number of times in the past but I felt that lights should be on but auto didn't & vice versa,only the other day I was on a motorway with heavy showers & bright sunlight,auto lights didn't come on,presumably because it was so bright with the sun almost directly ahead of me but the spray was so dense that cars were badly obscured.

[David160]

Following your instructions I think the light sensor is faulty. Obtaining a replacement. Thank you

[David160]

I have now received replacement part. I have managed to prize out the part but am having trouble removing the wire harness plugs. Is there a certain way of doing this? Do they just pull out or do small clips need to be released?

[David160]

Further to earlier post - After much swearing and pulling and help from another pair of hands replacement now installed and working.

[BrianG]

Well done! As you eventually discovered the small clips have to be released - and the connector clicked home on the new one to stop it coming off. For once a satisfying fix with Jaguar parts that did not cost an arm and a leg!