Headlight auto on timing

[GraniteGreyCX7]

Anyone has success performing this?

 

[blaaah]

Anyone has success performing this?

Hi All,

I tried the procedure this evening, and managed to make the lights flash 3 times to indicate low sensitivity.

It's already dark out, so it's kinda hard to tell if the sensitivity is better now. I'll post again tomorrow.

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

Hi All,

I tried the procedure this evening, and managed to make the lights flash 3 times to indicate low sensitivity.

It's already dark out, so it's kinda hard to tell if the sensitivity is better now. I'll post again tomorrow.

Well please share with us whether this procedure does work for you. Thanks.

 

[blaaah]

Well please share with us whether this procedure does work for you. Thanks.

Sorry it took so long for me to get back, but yes, it is less sensitive now. I was hoping it would be a little better (Still flashes the lights as I pass under some bridges, but less than it used to).

 

[TheMAN]

for each step in those instructions (which are confusing as hell to read), you MUST do them within 5 seconds... if you take more than 5 seconds on each step (such as reading the instructions each time you do a step, you are TOO SLOW)... READ these instructions CAREFULY and try to understand and memorize them as much as possible because speed/time is the importance here!

1) pull the light stalk towards you (flash to pass) and hold it while you turn the key to "ON" then let go after it's "ON"
2) turn the light switch to parking light mode (first setting on the switch which is symbolized by a big dot) between the "OFF" and "parking light" mode 5 times... after the 5th time, return the switch to "OFF" position
3) pull the light stalk towards you (flash to pass) for a split second and let go
4) turn the light switch to parking light mode and leave it there
5) turn the light switch to headlights between "headlights" mode and "parking lights" mode 5 times (2nd setting on the switch which is symbolized by something that looks like a "=D" )... after the 5th time, return the switch to parking light position
6) turn the light switch to headlights on mode and leave it there
7) turn the light switch to auto mode between the "auto" mode and "headlights on" mode 5 times... after the 5th time, return it to the "headlights on" position
8) WITHIN ONE SECOND after step 7 is performed, turn the light switch to parking lights mode

9) if you followed the programming mode entry procedure correctly, you should now see the headlights flash off and on to tell you which mode is currently selected... 2 flashes means "standard" mode (factory setting), 3 flashes means "low sensitivity" mode

10) after checking which mode is selected, if you want to change modes, pull the "flash to pass" (light switch towards you) the number of times corresponding to the mode you want... 2 times for "standard" mode, and 3 times for "low sensitivity" mode... you MUST change the modes quickly after step 9 or the programming mode is aborted and you must start over from step 1
11) if you did change modes, you should see the lights flash the number of times corresponding to the mode you set... if you do not see this then you were not successful changing the mode

step 10 and 11 are not necessary if you are not changing sensitivity modes


hopefully this is more understandable! I've done this on 2 CX-7s already... the first time I did it, it was a complete PITA to do... it's still a PITA to do

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

Thanks so much for your detailed writeup, it is much more understandable. I'll try it and see.

You are THE MAN !!!

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

The Man,

Question: After it is adjusted to less sensitive, how long a delay (in seconds) when driving under a bridge or tunnel are you now experiencing?

 

[TheMAN]

I don't know, I don't own a cx7

 

[pittkol]

I got it to work but no real difference

After trying the less sensitive setting I concluded that the Auto on/off function will not be the default setting for my lights. They still come on way too fast. They pop on going under overpasses in the morning and pulling into a well lite garage.

 

[CXRabbit]

I'm glad I bookmarked this thread before I bought the car

I just went through the "programming" of the auto-light and set them to less sensitive (blinked 3 times). The instructions sound a lot more complicated than they are - if you read through them a few times and memorize them you can get this right on the first try.

Thanks TheMAN -- your simplification of the instructions made it easy

 

[CX7andMiata]

for each step in those instructions (which are confusing as hell to read), you MUST do them within 5 seconds... if you take more than 5 seconds on each step (such as reading the instructions each time you do a step, you are TOO SLOW)... READ these instructions CAREFULY and try to understand and memorize them as much as possible because speed/time is the importance here!

1) pull the light stalk towards you (flash to pass) and hold it while you turn the key to "ON" then let go after it's "ON"
2) turn the light switch to parking light mode (first setting on the switch which is symbolized by a big dot) between the "OFF" and "parking light" mode 5 times... after the 5th time, return the switch to "OFF" position
3) pull the light stalk towards you (flash to pass) for a split second and let go
4) turn the light switch to parking light mode and leave it there
5) turn the light switch to headlights between "headlights" mode and "parking lights" mode 5 times (2nd setting on the switch which is symbolized by something that looks like a "=D" )... after the 5th time, return the switch to parking light position
6) turn the light switch to headlights on mode and leave it there
7) turn the light switch to auto mode between the "auto" mode and "headlights on" mode 5 times... after the 5th time, return it to the "headlights on" position
8) WITHIN ONE SECOND after step 7 is performed, turn the light switch to parking lights mode

9) if you followed the programming mode entry procedure correctly, you should now see the headlights flash off and on to tell you which mode is currently selected... 2 flashes means "standard" mode (factory setting), 3 flashes means "low sensitivity" mode

10) after checking which mode is selected, if you want to change modes, pull the "flash to pass" (light switch towards you) the number of times corresponding to the mode you want... 2 times for "standard" mode, and 3 times for "low sensitivity" mode... you MUST change the modes quickly after step 9 or the programming mode is aborted and you must start over from step 1
11) if you did change modes, you should see the lights flash the number of times corresponding to the mode you set... if you do not see this then you were not successful changing the mode

step 10 and 11 are not necessary if you are not changing sensitivity modes


hopefully this is more understandable! I've done this on 2 CX-7s already... the first time I did it, it was a complete PITA to do... it's still a PITA to do

Thanks TheMAN! I tried the procedure and it worked perfectly the first time. I just had to study it a minute before I tried it and remember the steps. Don't know if it will help but it worked...

 

[Byrnie]

Same here - My Chrysler (which I just traded-in for my CX-7) had auto lights, but they were "intelligent" where it wasn't just based-on a time-delay - it somehow was a combination of the amount of light reduction and how rapidly it happened. Don't know how to explain it.

The reason I don't want them to "always" be on, is because it effects the brightness of the Nav/Stereo display... it DIMS every time the lights go on and switches to "night" mode (different map colors to reduce illumination in the cockpit at night). It gets hard to read when the lights kick-on.

I don't want to set the display to ALWAYS be daytime, because I do want it to switch at night... so for now, I just deal with it switching periodically - or just shut the lights off alltogether in the daytime.

-scott

my infiniti (which I traded in for the cx-7) was the same way. It had a delay of about 3 to 4 seconds.

 

[offset_98]

I don't think this is about sensitivity though...isn't there a way to delay the on/off? Example: drive into dark garage and lights turn on in 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds or 90 seconds? Even my '96 Explorer let me decide how long after the sensor thought it was dark the lights would switch on.

Thats what I got from the manual...no?

 

[CXRabbit]

Offset...

I hear ya about the delay. I adjusted the sensitivity on the CX-7 and it didn't make a difference in going under overpasses or into dark shady areas. Not only is it a bit too sensitive (still) but you're right, there should be a delay.

I'll mention it to the dealer when I go next week for my oil change.

 

[offset_98]

Let me know CXRabbit...because I got the impression from the manual that the dealership could adjust delay

 

[CXRabbit]

"The timing for turning on the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination can be delayed by adjusting the sensitivity of the light sensor. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer regarding sensor adjustment."

^That's what is takes in the manaul. I'm not sure it's any different than adjusting sensitivity... but I will ask when I go.

 

[CXRabbit]

BTW, I switched mine back to the default intensity (2 blinks). It was definitely worse on 3.

 

[PixelPusher001]

sorry if i sound like an idiot but what is the main reason people are aggravated by the lights switching on in parking garages or tunnels even if just briefly.. does it damage the lights or reduce their life expectancy?

 

[vbbuilt01]

sorry if i sound like an idiot but what is the main reason people are aggravated by the lights switching on in parking garages or tunnels even if just briefly.. does it damage the lights or reduce their life expectancy?

It's just plain irritating and it's distracting, in that the dash lights, flash on on and off, in concert with the headlights coming on and off. Oncoming cars think you're flashing them. It's not so much going into parking garages or long tunnels, but when you go underneath overpasses.

Vince.

 

[PixelPusher001]

It's just plain irritating and it's distracting, in that the dash lights, flash on on and off, in concert with the headlights coming on and off. Oncoming cars think you're flashing them. It's not so much going into parking garages or long tunnels, but when you go underneath overpasses.

Vince.

ahh ok i get that.. have not noticed that happening yet (just 2 weeks with the car) but will keep an eye out.. i'm probably just going to cover the light sensor so they come on all the time when left in auto.