Are the auto lights linked to the clock?…

[Diggsy]

Genuine question, could the auto lights be linked in any way to the clock? I ask as I noticed the last few evenings that they came on around or before 8pm, regardless as to how bright it still was at that time. There were zero shadows from trees where I was driving, and it was still very bright.

Anyone else noticed this, or is it just the sensor being ridiculously sensitive?

 

[siteguru]

Have you removed the sensor cover? (Do that - or drill a hole and fit a clear plastic sticker over it for dust protection - and the auto-lights work properly).

 

[Rolfe]

The sensor is actually ridiculously insensitive to light, leading to them coming on if the sun goes behind a cloud.

What I have noticed is that the lights will often stay off on dull days until early evening - much earlier than you'd actually want them to come on, but at least when evening is approaching. But on very sunny days they go on in the middle of the day if the car goes into any shadow at all. This is particularly noticeable on tree-lined roads, where they come on in the shadow of the trees then go off again when the car comes back into sunlight.

I turn them off as soon as I notice this behaviour. If I'm still driving when dusk actually happens I'll turn them back on, or else they come back on automatically when you start the car again.

This is another reason for not having the infotainment screen go light/dark in synch with the headlights.

 

[Rolfe]

Have you removed the sensor cover? (Do that - or drill a hole and fit a clear plastic sticker over it for dust protection - and the auto-lights work properly).

Somewhere there is a thread with a template to make replacement sensor covers with 3D printing. A friend of mine was offering to produce these, I need to get back to him and see if there has been any progress.

 

[Diggsy]

Have you removed the sensor cover? (Do that - or drill a hole and fit a clear plastic sticker over it for dust protection - and the auto-lights work properly).

No, haven’t tried that yet, but might give it a go…removal rather than drilling it I think.

I take it you haven’t noticed this behaviour with yours removed? I just found it really odd on very bright evenings…

 

[siteguru]

Nope - I drove home this evening after running the Table Tennis Club (so after 8pm) and the lights were fine (i.e. Off).

 

[Diggsy]

Nope - I drove home this evening after running the Table Tennis Club (so after 8pm) and the lights were fine (i.e. Off).

Will have to remove that silly cover then, thanks!

 

[Pianoman]

Nope - I drove home this evening after running the Table Tennis Club (so after 8pm) and the lights were fine (i.e. Off).

What cover, where?

 

[Tig170]

What cover, where?

... same here!

 

[Rolfe]

Right inside the bottom of the windscreen.

I started to do it but was afraid I'd break/ruin something. Any tips?

 

[Pianoman]

Right inside the bottom of the windscreen.

I started to do it but was afraid I'd break/ruin something. Any tips?

Thanks rolfe

 

[Rolfe]

This is the thread everyone needs to read if they haven't already.

Auto lights always coming on ? Hillbilly hack.

One of the constant annoyances ( of many ) I find with the 4 is the stupidly keen to come on auto lights. Only in blazing direct sunshine do they seem to stay off. While waiting for a possible update to cure this sensitivity I discovered a pretty simple solution in the meantime. The light...

www.mgevs.com

 

[wandle MG4 trophy]

Who remembers the evening papers publishing Lighting Up times every day. Maybe the car is using its data connection to connect to local newspapers as you drive up and down the country.

 

[Pianoman]

How do I put anything other than a in the box?

 

[Diggsy]

How do I put anything other than a in the box?

Press the for slightly longer and it displays the options above it. Press one of those and it will post that…

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Who remembers the evening papers publishing Lighting Up times every day. Maybe the car is using its data connection to connect to local newspapers as you drive up and down the country.

The BBC weather page still posts sunrise/sunset times.

 

[Pianoman]

Press the for slightly longer and it displays the options above it. Press one of those and it will post that…

Brilliant! Thanks diggsy

 

[Diggsy]

Brilliant! Thanks diggsy

No worries, happy to help

 

[Macadoodle]

Right inside the bottom of the windscreen.

I started to do it but was afraid I'd break/ruin something. Any tips?

It is a little fiddly. You'll need to get a slim plastic trim tool down the back edge and probably lever it gently up with a small screwdriver as anything plastic wont have the strength required.
I put tape along the edge of the dash panel to avoid marks, the 'hard' plastics in the fours' interior have the consistency of recently cooled toffee

 

[siteguru]

Right inside the bottom of the windscreen.

I started to do it but was afraid I'd break/ruin something. Any tips?

I used a plastic spudger to remove mine. There are 2 clips on the edge facing you, about 8mm in from each side, and one in the middle of the edge nearest the windscreen. (If you unclip the edge facing you then the cover easily pulls out).