Auto Lights not turning Off

Naz1 · September 22, 2017

Hi All,

When I have my light settings set to Auto and I turn the car off, lock the vehicle the lights are still on. I initially thought this was the "follow me home" setting but then got a knock on the door from the neighbor after 20 mins telling me my car's light are still on? I then had to switch them off manually... surely this is not design intent?

Naz

Ray-ISF · September 22, 2017

You probably didn't lock/shut one of your doors properly.

Next time it happens try pressing the lock button on you remote twice.

Bluethunder · September 22, 2017

Mine stays on occasionally. Strange as it sounds but it usually happens when I don't pull the door handle to open the door firm enough!

Ray-ISF · September 22, 2017

From another forum

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-4th-gen-2007-2017/602438-ls460l-problems-after-warranty-expires-2.html#post6921203

First, the "Auto position" that you are referring to has nothing to do with the headlights Auto Off feature. It, the Auto position on the stalk on the left side of the steering wheel, enables the autonomous control of the headlights on/off in response to ambient light conditions and is only active when the ignition is on. It is that feature, when enabled, that turns on your headlights when you start your car in a dark garage and then turns the off when get into the day light. And it turns your lights on automatically in the day time when you drive into tunnels. And it automatically turns your headlights on when you are driving during the transition from day to night. It is that sort of feature. It pretty well takes over operation of the headlights so that you don't have to worry about ever driving in low light conditions without your headlights on. It is a great safety feature.

The headlights Auto Off feature is an autonomous feature that can not be disabled - it is always enable. It automatically turns the headlights off any time the headlights are on when the ignition is turned off, after some conditions are met. The conditions that must be met are: at least one door opens after the ignition is turned off, followed by all doors and trunk closed, followed by a delay (the default delay is 30 seconds and can be customized by the dealer to 0 seconds or 60 seconds or 90 seconds). You can test this feature by turning the headlights on manually, or by setting the selector to Auto (testing in the Auto position has to be done in low light conditions) and then starting your car. Then turn the ignition off, open the drivers door (you can remain in the driver's seat if that suits you), close the drivers door and wait for the delay to expire (0-30-60-90 seconds depending on how it is set) - the headlights should go off automatically.

The headlight Auto Off feature can be defeated by turning the headlights off manually and back on manually after the ignition is turned off. Or, if the headlights are off when you turn the ignition off and you turn them on manually the Auto Off will not turn them off. If you have some reason to do this, the headlights Auto Off feature is reenabled as soon as you start the car.

I recently experienced a dead Battery event that was caused by the headlights not turning off automatically. The root cause was a rear doorthat was not closed. I have the power door closers and by observation the door seemed to be closed. However, the power-close feature did not complete properly and the door was slightly ajar and prevented the headlights Auto Off from completing. When I got the car going I could see this open door status on my dash.

There are a couple of ways to guard against the open door gotcha. One is to always lock your car when you exit by depressing the lock button on the outside door handle or by pressing the lock symbol on your wireless remote key. If you get a long beep when you do that then a door is open. Of course if you are out of hearing range that may not work for you. The other way is to turn the headlights off with the wireless remote key. To do that you press the lock symbol on the wireless remote key twice and the headlight will be extinguished, even at a considerable distance.

Naz1 · September 23, 2017

Thanks Ray, I am pretty sure I have tried the double press of the lock on the key fob and have made sure all the doors are closed. But will try this tonight.

Naz1 · September 24, 2017

Just tried pressing the double lock on the key fob, made sure all the doors are locked....lights still stay on? Really confused as on the US forum there seems to be a mixed feeling. Some experience the same result as what I am experiencing whilst others have mentioned double pressing the lock on the key fob switches off the lights ??