Why are the headlights still on after turning off the Audi A4L?
3 Answers
This is the Homecoming Mode, which automatically activates after locking the car to provide illumination for 30 seconds at night before turning off. Homecoming Mode: The purpose of Homecoming Mode is to illuminate the surroundings of the car after turning off the ignition and opening the driver's door in the dark. At the same time, the front fog lights, taillights, and license plate lights will also turn on. The duration of these lights can be set between 0 (i.e., off) and 60 seconds. Leaving Home Mode: The purpose of Leaving Home Mode is to illuminate the surroundings of the car after unlocking it in the dark. At the same time, the front fog lights, taillights, and license plate lights will also turn on. This function can be turned on or off.
I've also driven an Audi A4L and encountered the issue where the headlights stay on after turning off the engine. It's most likely the car's built-in home lighting feature not being properly deactivated. Audi designed this thoughtful function to keep the lights on for a while after shutting down, helping illuminate your doorway or garage. First, check the light control switch below the left side of the steering wheel and try turning it to the Auto position to see if the lights still stay on. If they remain lit continuously, the delay time might be set too long. Look for the lighting settings option in the car's system and adjust the delay to a shorter duration, around 10 to 30 seconds should suffice. A healthy battery can last a few days, but keeping the lights on for too long can drain it, potentially leaving you unable to start the car the next day. A damaged sensor from sun exposure or a faulty control box could also cause the lights to stay on. If you can't resolve it yourself, schedule an inspection at an Audi dealership as soon as possible. Addressing minor issues promptly saves hassle, especially since electronic system repairs can be costly. Manually turning off the lights when parking is the safest practice.
My A4L also had this issue with lights staying on after engine shutdown when newly purchased – likely caused by the coming home lighting feature. Dig into the lighting menu in the MMI system and reconfigure the home lighting settings. Faulty sensors are another common culprit; if the small sensor on the windshield gets dusty or waterlogged, the lights won't turn off. Persistent illumination drains the battery quickly – a dead battery might even prevent door locking. Manually switch the light control to OFF position to force shutdown, or wait a few minutes after locking the car. If unresolved, try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for one minute to reset the system. For persistent cases, have a specialist scan fault codes to inspect the lighting control module. Don't delay – Audi's electronic components are expensive, early intervention saves money and hassle.
