How do I turn my lights off...?

[RickyMartinZ28]

When I turn on the car my lights automatically come on, and never go off until I kill the car.

Shouldn't I be able to turn my lights off? I'm about to install angel eyes and I want to be able to turn off the main lights...

Thanks,

-Rick

[javaco888]

are they the Daytime Running Lights?

[PJB]

+1 on Daytime Running Lights.

Which lights of yours are continuously lit? Is this regardless of the position of the headlight switch on the dashboard?

In the following picture:
A is the high beam and also doubles as the Daytime Running Light (DRL) if this option is activated. In DRL mode, the high beam is run at a fraction of full power in order to make the car visible to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or animals. DRLs operate any time the car is running, whether or not the other lights are illuminated.
B is the low beam and in this particular picture the car is equipped with the xenon HID option. The low beams correspond to the rightmost position of your headlight switch.
C is the parking light, and corresponds to the middle position of your headlight switch.
http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bmwe39headlightbreakdowwa9.jpghttp://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bmwe39headlightbreakdowwa9.jpghttp://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8172/bmwe39headlightbreakdowwa9.jpg

In a typical installation, angel eyes are wired in conjunction with the parking lights (C), so they will illuminate whether or not the low beams are also illuminated. Whether you install OEM Hella angel eyes or aftermarket angel eyes, however, the behaivior is ultimately up to you.

Here is a 1996-2000 e39 with DRL activated and the parking lights illuminated:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/bwo1525/IMG_0989.jpg?t=1176691895

Here is a 1996-2000 e39 with the parking lights and lowbeams illuminated, and without the DRL option:
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m85/SpooledA4/IMG_1912.jpg

If you wish to turn off your Daytime Running Lights option, you need to visit the dealer or an Independent Mechanic with the proper software. Every dealer has the ability, however, very few independents have it, so your best bet is to go to the dealer. They typically charge anywhere from 1/2- to 1-hour of labor, so it's best to change multiple options at once as opposed to just one. Print the following option sheet and configure it to your liking, and the dealer will embed those options into your key. Different option combinations can be mapped to different keys, so if a secondary driver of the car would like different options this is possible, too:

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/key%20memory%20options/Check%20this__files/carkeyform.jpg

[RickyMartinZ28]

Awesome, I really appreciate that.

Its my daytime running lights. Almost every car has a secret way of disabling them...I guess ours dont...

-Rick

Also I plan on wiring the angel eyes to come on with the interior lights when unlocking with the remote, and also to come on when the parking lamps are on....

Using a diode.

-Rick

[PJB]

Also I plan on wiring the angel eyes to come on with the interior lights when unlocking with the remote, and also to come on when the parking lamps are on....

Using a diode.

I'm actually in the middle of doing that procedure right now:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=976731

[ilya2193]

So have you done this at the dealer yet? How much did it cost?

[webdesigner]

So have you done this at the dealer yet? How much did it cost?

Any decent dealer will do it for free. Good luck

[T1TT910]

Any decent dealer will do it for free. Good luck

I think you have made a typo. I do not see how you can possibly use decent and dealer in the same sentence, unless you were making an inquiry or joke. :devillook

Every dealer I've been to wants 75 - 150 for it. If you find one for less, please let me know.