Daytime running lights - orange indicator always on

J

JimCosworth

Member
My 2004 E85 has daytime running lights that come on automatically as soon as you start up and there is no way to turn them off. They consist of the outer most indicator and the headlight sidelight. The problem is I’m driving round with the orange indicators constantly illuminated which is illegal and also could cause an accident as when you glance at the car it looks like I’m indicating.

I have removed the offending bulbs but this causes the bulb out warning on the dash and also the other indicators flash double fast so this isn’t a solution. I could cover the bulb but then I’d loose the second indicator which is useful when actually indicating.

Having researched it looks like this can only be rectified with a coding amendment to turn the running lights off. It’s basically using the second indicator as a position lamp like they have in America.

Anyone local to sevenoaks with the coding equipment I could bring the car to and slip them £20 to amend the code? I know Carly can do it but seems an expensive option to buy it just for this.

Thanks in advance

IMG_0524.jpeg

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I can possibly help, but a bit limited on time scale.
I am heading down to Littlehampton next week. I'll be leaving there to drive back to Norfolk on Wednesday 5th and could probably be at Sevenoaks, or a mutually suitable meeting point around lunchtime.
If this works for you let me know.

However, I should point out that a common failure within the LCM can cause those indicators to come on as well, so it may have nothing to do with the coding.
 
Hi and thanks for such a quick reply! That’s interesting it could be an LCM problem which I hadn’t considered. I’m around anytime on the 5th so if you are happy to meet up somewhere that would be amazing. I’m between junction 4 and 5 of the M25 but can meet you anyway that’s convenient for you.
 
JimCosworth said:
Hi and thanks for such a quick reply! That’s interesting it could be an LCM problem which I hadn’t considered. I’m around anytime on the 5th so if you are happy to meet up somewhere that would be amazing. I’m between junction 4 and 5 of the M25 but can meet you anyway that’s convenient for you.
Click to expand...
PM incoming. :thumbsup:
 
JimCosworth said:
My 2004 E85 has daytime running lights that come on automatically as soon as you start up and there is no way to turn them off. They consist of the outer most indicator and the headlight sidelight.
Click to expand...
Have you checked the sidelight bulbs? If they are LEDs they will cause what you describe. Car may have been coded to have sidelights as DRLs but that doesn't cause any bulb issues. But it could have been badly hardwired too.

Removing the indicator bulb causes double flash as designed.
 
Thanks, they are normal bulbs and removing does cause double flash. Martin (enuff_zed) is kindly going to take a look next week and see if it’s a coding issue.
 
Definitely looks like a coding issue to me - I managed to get mine to do the same when experimenting with the different settings.

If it helps, you can buy the scanner/software to do this yourself for very little money. This is simple to install and just uses tick boxes for changing settings. Also useful for future fault codes etc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364016033975

There is also the option to buy NCS for about the same price, but that is much more involved to set up/install and has a steeper learning curve to use.
 
JimCosworth said:
Thanks, they are normal bulbs and removing does cause double flash. Martin (enuff_zed) is kindly going to take a look next week and see if it’s a coding issue.
Click to expand...
The sidelights are normal bulbs? Removing those should not cause a double flash.
 
Sounds like they have been coded in to be DRL's, Coding options in BMW Scanner 1.4 gives options for sidelights to be coded as DRL's for USA or EU, you just tic the appropriate box to select the option required. Wouldn't be surprised if yours have been coded to be USA DRL's. Just deselect the options tic box if this is the case.
Coding could also be done using NCS Expert and NCS Dummy but Scanner 1.4 is far easier to use for this.
 
[ref]JimCosworth[/ref], can you take a photo of your light controls please? If I have one the same I’ll bring it with me just in case.
 
JimCosworth said:
Fantastic, thanks. I’ll his is my current one:

IMG_0543.jpeg
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You're in luck! I'll stick it in with my laptop. Hopefully won't need it, but if we do we can sort it there and then.
 
colb said:
Wouldn't be surprised if yours have been coded to be USA DRL's. Just deselect the options tic box if this is the case.
Click to expand...
I didn't try the USA setting but have a feeling it would just be the indicators on. Though it could certainly have both ECE and USA set.
 
USA DRL is normally a high beam on, but with 25% or 50% brightness. Indicators are an additional setting. You can have one by one or both turned on (like OP has). When USA DRL is turned on, the DRL bulb will always shine, except when the main lights are on. Doesn't matter if you have the switch in 0 or parking lights position, it will always shine.
 
x-driver said:
USA DRL is normally a high beam on, but with 25% or 50% brightness. Indicators are an additional setting. You can have one by one or both turned on (like OP has). When USA DRL is turned on, the DRL bulb will always shine, except when the main lights are on. Doesn't matter if you have the switch in 0 or parking lights position, it will always shine.
Click to expand...
That rings a bell now.

I've dug out the coding and these are the following DRL options:
  • DRL_BLK_VORN_GEDIMMT
    DIMMED FRONT TURN SIGNALS AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
  • GED_FL_ALS_DRL
    DIMMED HIGH BEAMS AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
  • FL_DRL_MIT_RL
    HIGH BEAM AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS
  • PO_ALS_DRL
    POSITION LIGHTS AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
There is a setting for dimming amount too.
 
Is there actually an option for rear taillights for e85? I don't remember if I asked for it when I took my car for coding the high beams for DRL...
 
x-driver said:
Is there actually an option for rear taillights for e85? I don't remember if I asked for it when I took my car for coding the high beams for DRL...
Click to expand...
Filtered from my LCZ trace. Does it work or not? I don't know, I didn't set it.
 
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