XK8 / XKR ( X100 ) 1996 - 2006
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

"Lights are off" message all the time

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-23-2012, 04:45 PM
RaceDiagnostics's Avatar
Veteran Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,772
Received 883 Likes on 472 Posts
Default "Lights are off" message all the time

Kim has reported that the dash has had this message all day today, I think this is supposed to appear when it gets dark.

So perhaps the light sensor has failed or is dirty. Can someone say where it can be found?

Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 08-23-2012, 05:53 PM
GGG's Avatar
GGG
GGG is offline
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Durham, UK
Posts: 120,446
Received 16,798 Likes on 12,167 Posts
Default

When you have the Auto headlight feature fitted, this warning is normally displayed if the rotary collar is NOT in the auto position and the sensor detects the ambient light level has dropped to the point where the lights would have come on automatically.

Certainly sounds like an issue with the light sensor which is mounted in the back of the rearview mirror facing the windscreen.

Graham
 
  #3  
Old 08-24-2012, 09:05 AM
berlin1977's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Newberry SC
Posts: 404
Received 69 Likes on 54 Posts
Default

Have you tried rotating the sensor on the back of the mirror several times? This adjusts the ambient light reading. This should clean the contacts. I did not get an error message but it did stop the lights from coming on and off at strange times. Jim
 
  #4  
Old 08-25-2012, 10:41 AM
malbec's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SW England
Posts: 809
Received 294 Likes on 164 Posts
Default

I had this problem recently. It was the stalk on the steering column. I had to get dealer to replace it, ouch !
 
  #5  
Old 08-26-2012, 01:40 PM
chopr's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 298
Received 124 Likes on 79 Posts
Default

I have been getting the same message on my 2004. My auto headlamp function doesn't work right now. Haven't yet investigated, but will keep all your suggestions in mind when I do!
 
  #6  
Old 09-01-2012, 12:41 PM
RaceDiagnostics's Avatar
Veteran Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,772
Received 883 Likes on 472 Posts
Default

I stripped down unit behind the rear view mirror to get to the light sensor, tweaked the connectors and wiring, no joy.
 
  #7  
Old 09-02-2012, 04:42 AM
malbec's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SW England
Posts: 809
Received 294 Likes on 164 Posts
Default

See my post above.
 
  #8  
Old 09-03-2012, 09:32 AM
RaceDiagnostics's Avatar
Veteran Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,772
Received 883 Likes on 472 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by malbec
I had this problem recently. It was the stalk on the steering column. I had to get dealer to replace it, ouch !

I don't understand this, have a look at page 87 here http://www.captainjaguarscathouse.co...ec%20Guide.pdf

May be different for your car, but you can see that the lights off signal comes from rear view mirror module, regardless of the position of the light stalk. So the only thing that could cause the problem is the mirror, I don't understand why the dealer would change the stalk.

After finding this I realise that I was looking at the rain sensor not the light sensor so will have another tweak tonight and test out the sctual signal from the mirror to the body module.
 
  #9  
Old 09-03-2012, 02:13 PM
malbec's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SW England
Posts: 809
Received 294 Likes on 164 Posts
Default

Well stalk changed and £250 later all is well. Must be the wire from the auto position on the stalk.
 

Last edited by malbec; 09-03-2012 at 02:28 PM.
  #10  
Old 09-03-2012, 02:56 PM
RaceDiagnostics's Avatar
Veteran Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,772
Received 883 Likes on 472 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by berlin1977
Have you tried rotating the sensor on the back of the mirror several times? This adjusts the ambient light reading. This should clean the contacts. I did not get an error message but it did stop the lights from coming on and off at strange times. Jim

Can you elaborate on this a bit, how do you get to the sensor to rotate it?
 
  #11  
Old 09-03-2012, 06:09 PM
GGG's Avatar
GGG
GGG is offline
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Durham, UK
Posts: 120,446
Received 16,798 Likes on 12,167 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RaceDiagnostics
Can you elaborate on this a bit, how do you get to the sensor to rotate it?
I think you'll have the later rear view mirror without any rotary adjustment switch for the ambient light sensor sensor.

Graham
 
The following users liked this post:
RaceDiagnostics (09-05-2012)
  #12  
Old 09-04-2012, 06:25 AM
steveinfrance's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Limousin, France
Posts: 6,278
Received 687 Likes on 590 Posts
Default

If you need to get at the stalk wiring (which does frequently break) download JTIS from the HOW-TO sticky at the top of this section (if you haven't already) and look at these sections
86.65.92 Steering Column Multifunction Switch in Chassis, where you'll also find Steering Wheel Removal
In Body and Paint, 501-20B you'll find the driver air bag removal details.
Be careful to follow the airbag instructions - they can seriously injure you.
 
The following users liked this post:
RaceDiagnostics (09-05-2012)
  #13  
Old 09-30-2012, 02:18 PM
RaceDiagnostics's Avatar
Veteran Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,772
Received 883 Likes on 472 Posts
Default

Got back on to this one today.

There are 5 connections to the rear view mirror, Power, Ground, Reverse input, Mirror tint output, Auto Light output.

I removed the mirror and tested it on the bench unfortunately the Auto light output is non functional, so it looks like I will need to find a new/old mirror.

I first unclipped the two plastic covers at the base of the mirror, and disconnected the harness. The mirror came off the window easily by sliding/wiggling it down/parallel to the screen.

Surprisingly there are three differenet light sensors on the mirror, one pointing forwards, and one back, these are both light dependant resistors LDRs. Then there is also a photodiode that points generally upwards in the mirror mounting housing. The system is implemented using a Motorola (now Freescale) MC68HC705JJ7 8 bit microcontroller.

Some pics...











 
  #14  
Old 10-01-2012, 12:12 PM
H20boy's Avatar
Veteran member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Posts: 11,338
Received 1,144 Likes on 750 Posts
Default

dang, you dissected that thing! I just cleaned the dust from the sensor.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sprayall
S-Type / S type R Supercharged V8 ( X200 )
13
05-30-2021 08:13 AM
Shawn Svacha
X-Type ( X400 )
16
11-04-2019 02:47 PM
tberg
XK / XKR ( X150 )
15
09-07-2015 07:32 AM
Sprayall
New Member Area - Intro a MUST
8
09-03-2015 07:49 PM
dcvickers
F-Type ( X152 )
23
09-02-2015 06:14 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: "Lights are off" message all the time



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:29 AM.