Headlights Stay On!

[zakizzy]

whenever i turn on my ride the headlights (low's) are ALWAYS on... my DRL's don't go on, my low's do.

i can't EVER turn them off. anybody have this issue before?

[skylinergtr]

same issue, havent resolved it yet. I would like to hear some heads up for this as well.

[attack eagle]

unplug switch.

same?

I thought DRLS WERE added on the lowbeams. what are you guys running as DRLS if not the lowbeams? the high beams?

according to the wiring schematics, the little add on modules (for canada) to emulate drls are connected to and illuminate the low beams?

[zakizzy]

unplug switch.

same?

I thought DRLS WERE added on the lowbeams. what are you guys running as DRLS if not the lowbeams? the high beams?

according to the wiring schematics, the little add on modules (for canada) to emulate drls are connected to and illuminate the low beams?

i've seen 29459475 e34's out here driving around with the DRL's on and they're always the inner (high beam) lights. as a matter of fact, i've always seen that on all cars not just bmw's.

i think it's mandatory for all cars to have DRL here, and that they always use the highs.

[rallyd]

most likely not E34. probably newer bmws, ie: E46, E39, etc.

[zubbie]

i've seen 29459475 e34's out here driving around with the DRL's on and they're always the inner (high beam) lights. as a matter of fact, i've always seen that on all cars not just bmw's.

i think it's mandatory for all cars to have DRL here, and that they always use the highs.

Not exactly correct. Cdn DRL requirements allow auto manufacturers to use lower wattage marker lights (even orange) or reduced output High Beams. This allows

"the use of reduced-voltage high beam headlamps producing up to 7,000 axial candelas, as well as permitting any light color from white to amber or selective yellow. These changes to the regulation permitted automakers to implement a less-costly DRL, such as by connecting the high beam filaments in series to supply each filament with half its rated voltage, or by burning the front turn signals full time except when they are actually flashing as turn indicators". (from wikipedia)

Options for Canadian cars include: low beam headlights, dimmed low beam headlights (75% to 92% of normal lights), dimmed high beam headlights (max 7000cd), turn signals, bright parking lights (max 1200cd), fog lights and dedicated DRL (max 1200cd).

[zakizzy]

Not exactly correct. Cdn DRL requirements allow auto manufacturers to use lower wattage marker lights (even orange) or reduced output High Beams. This allows

"the use of reduced-voltage high beam headlamps producing up to 7,000 axial candelas, as well as permitting any light color from white to amber or selective yellow. These changes to the regulation permitted automakers to implement a less-costly DRL, such as by connecting the high beam filaments in series to supply each filament with half its rated voltage, or by burning the front turn signals full time except when they are actually flashing as turn indicators". (from wikipedia)

Options for Canadian cars include: low beam headlights, dimmed low beam headlights (75% to 92% of normal lights), dimmed high beam headlights (max 7000cd), turn signals, bright parking lights (max 1200cd), fog lights and dedicated DRL (max 1200cd).

i stand corrected. i guess the law allows for car manufacturers to use almost any light on the front of the car.

but honestly i just see reduced-brightness high's everywhere! even on e34's around town, that's what i see.

[wolfe]

I had a problem where my dashboard was lit up whether the lights were on or not, and it went away by itself (I love when that happens). Sorry, I don't know what your issue could be, but thanks for explaining why so many people have their lights on in the middle of the day. (I even started to turn on my lights to 'show off' in the daylight)

[zakizzy]

I had a problem where my dashboard was lit up whether the lights were on or not, and it went away by itself (I love when that happens). Sorry, I don't know what your issue could be, but thanks for explaining why so many people have their lights on in the middle of the day. (I even started to turn on my lights to 'show off' in the daylight)

lol... some ppl just turn them on to show off their hid's.

so can anyone give me a tip on this? i'm sure one of you dudes have dealt with this issue b4

[zubbie]

i stand corrected. i guess the law allows for car manufacturers to use almost any light on the front of the car.

but honestly i just see reduced-brightness high's everywhere! even on e34's around town, that's what i see.

My guess is your DRL relay has an issue. This is quite common on older cars. The relay solder joints fail over time due to "heat cycling" I.E. the large current draw of DRL's heat up the relay connections and then they cool when you turn off the car. Do this 500 times and the solder joint cracks in much the same manner as the LKM in your car.

I don't know where the DRL relay is in an E34 (mine predates the law) but if you pull it and check the joints I bet you find your issue.

Either that or the DRL setup on your car is an oddball compared to most other E34's. Be thankful that your lights come on and stay on. I am faced with a $187 fine ($266 second offence) if I forget to turn on my lows or fogs here!

[bolloc]

but honestly i just see reduced-brightness high's everywhere! even on e34's around town, that's what i see.

I guess I had better let you know when I drive through Toronto next, because my drl is the low beam.

I took a quick look at the 'Toronto meet' pictures thinking I would see for myself a sampling of the 29 million e34's that were wired different to mine and the few that are shown being driven don't appear to have drl's.

[zakizzy]

interesting... i guess there are variations....

or yours are busted just like mine!!

or maybe people just like driving with the high's on!!

[CO535i]

I have DRLs on my 92 535i. The low beams along with all of the instrument cluster lights are on when the car is in operation. At first I thought it was the non functioning Clifford alarm. After removing this they are still on.

Some have mentioned changing out the LKM to a "US" one but this car was originally sold in the US. I have looked at the wiring schematics in the Bentley but no luck. Want to remove this "feature" before installing the Hella smokes.

[E34ührer]

Not an LKM issue?