Auto light anomalies

[velofelow]

Stopped the night before last by police as auto light sensor had switched from dipped beam to daylight running lights so no rear lights this seems to happen when I pass under certain led street lamps! Does anybody no a way to disable the auto light function? Car is 69 plate zs

 

[Catsailor]

I asked Gemini AI
Using the Control Stalk
On the left side of your steering column, you’ll find the lighting control stalk. To disable the "Auto" function:
Locate the Outer Dial: The very end of the stalk rotates to select lighting modes.
Turn the Dial: Move the dial away from the AUTO position.
To turn lights off entirely (while parked), rotate it to the O or OFF position.
To manual control, rotate it to the Side Lights (two small lamps facing away) or Headlights (lamp with downward lines) icon.

 

[MG Clive]

Unfortunately you can't disable the auto-light function, you can switch it to manual, but you will have to do this every time you get into the car.

You could cover the sensor, so the lights come on all the time, and you would then have to turn them off if you want them off.

 

[Eclectic]

Stopped the night before last by police as auto light sensor had switched from dipped beam to daylight running lights so no rear lights this seems to happen when I pass under certain led street lamps! Does anybody no a way to disable the auto light function? Car is 69 plate zs

Rotate the end of the lighting stalk away from you - you will get a dash message saying,"auto lighting disengaged" or similar. Rotate the switch away again to re enable auto lighting.

 

[velofelow]

Have monitored the auto lighting function and found there are two places on my journey under led street lights where it will change lighting to daylight running so beware of driving under led street lights this can happen. I now switch to manual light position when driving at night. Does anyone know if is possible to disable the auto function permanently?

 

[Catsailor]

I asked AI. It said:
1. Locate Your Sensor
The MG ZS EV typically uses one of two sensor configurations depending on your specific trim and year:
The "Dashboard Dome": Look for a small, dark plastic dome at the very center of your dashboard, right against the base of the windshield. This is the most common ambient light sensor. If you passing under bright LED streetlights, this "sees" the overhead glare and triggers the switch to DRLs.
The Rearview Mirror Housing: On newer models or those with advanced driver assistance (ADAS), the sensor is integrated into the plastic box mounted to the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
The Fix: As mentioned, a small piece of lightly tinted window film or even a semi-transparent piece of electrical tape over the dashboard dome is the most effective "low-tech" fix. It tricks the car into thinking the environment is slightly darker than it actually is.
2. "Follow Me Home" Settings
If you want to adjust how long your lights stay on after you park (or how they behave when you arrive), you can find these settings in the infotainment system:
On the main screen, go to "Vehicle" or the "Car" icon.
Select "Comfort and Convenience" (or sometimes just "Light").
Look for "Follow Me Home".
You can usually toggle this between 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
Pro Tip: If you want to trigger it manually when leaving the car, turn the car off and pull the headlight stalk toward you (like flashing your high beams) once before exiting.
3. Software & Sensitivity
If your car is still under warranty, it is worth a quick trip to the dealer. There is a specific BCM (Body Control Module) update for many 2022–2025 ZS EV models that recalibrates the light sensor sensitivity to prevent "flickering" or premature switching under modern LED streetlighting.
Note: There is currently no "slider" in the MG menu to adjust the sensitivity yourself; it is either Auto or Manual. If the sensor is driving you crazy, switching the stalk to the "Headlight" position manually is the only way to guarantee they stay on until you tur
n the car off.

 

[Catsailor]

For MG ZS EV owners in the UK, the "Auto Light" sensitivity issue under LED streetlights is a well-documented annoyance. Because LED streetlights emit a very specific, high-intensity white light, the car’s sensor often misinterprets this as daylight.
Here is the technical breakdown of the sensors and current UK-specific status:
1. Sensor Identification & Locations
Depending on your specific model year (Pre-facelift vs. Long Range/Facelift), you have one of two sensor types:
The Ambient Light Sensor (Dashboard Dome): * Part Number: 10189001 (Superseded by 11252373).
Location: A small black "bubble" at the base of the windscreen, right in the center of the dashboard.
The Issue: This sensor is highly sensitive to overhead glare. Passing directly under a bright LED streetlight can trigger the threshold to "Day" mode instantly.
The Front Camera System (Windscreen Housing):
Part Number: H09112417 / 10924459.
Location: Inside the plastic trapezoid box behind the rearview mirror.
The Issue: This manages the "Auto High Beam" (Auto Dip). If this camera is fogged up internally (common in UK winters), it may fail to detect oncoming cars or streetlights correctly, leading to erratic beam switching.
2. Is there a Recall or Official Fix?
As of early 2026, there is no safety recall specifically for the light sensor sensitivity in the UK. However:
Technical Service Bulletins (TSB): MG Motor UK has released internal software updates for the BCM (Body Control Module). Many owners have reported that during a standard annual service, a firmware flash can "de-bounce" the sensor, meaning it requires a longer period of consistent light before switching to DRLs.
Warranty: If your car is within its 7-year warranty, you can report "erratic headlight operation" to your dealer. They can perform a diagnostic test to see if the sensor is within factory parameters.
3. The "UK Owner" Workarounds
Since the infotainment system does not have a sensitivity slider, UK owners generally use one of these three methods:
Method How it Works Pros/Cons
Manual Mode Twist the stalk to the "Headlight" icon. Pros: 100% reliable. Cons: You have to remember to do it.
The Tint Hack Apply a small piece of 50% tint film or semi-clear tape over the dashboard dome. Pros: Best "Auto" fix. Cons: Lights might stay on longer in the morning.
The Fog Clear If using Auto High Beam, blast the windscreen demister for 5 mins. Pros: Clears camera fogging. Cons: Can make the cabin uncomfortably hot.