Why don't the car's automatic headlights turn off automatically?

[LaBrody]

If the headlights do not turn off, the battery power will be depleted, which will affect the lifespan of the battery, the headlight module, and the bulbs. When starting the vehicle, the headlights illuminate, and the daytime running lights activate, which helps with driving safety. More relevant information is as follows: 1. Follow Me Home: Some headlights have a "Follow Me Home" feature, meaning the headlights remain on for a period after the vehicle is locked to provide road lighting for passengers. The "Follow Me Home" feature can be manually turned off, and all automatic headlights are monitored by the vehicle's power management system. 2. Note: If the battery power is insufficient, the power management system will automatically turn off the headlights. It is recommended to check the headlight switch before parking to ensure it is in the AUTO or OFF position.

[OTheo]

I've encountered a similar issue before where the automatic headlights stayed on during the day. It turned out the light sensor at the top of the windshield was covered by a sunshade pad. The automatic headlights rely on this sensor to distinguish between day and night – if you place items like tissue boxes or phone mounts over it, the system will malfunction. I've also experienced situations where water stains obscured the sensor after rain, and wiping it clean solved the problem. If there's no obstruction but the lights still won't turn off, it might indicate sensor aging or water intrusion in the wiring. In such cases, you'll need to visit a repair shop to connect diagnostic equipment and read the fault codes. Remember, the sensor is usually located in the black area behind the rearview mirror – paying attention to cleaning this spot during car washes can prevent issues.

[Catherine]

A few days ago, my neighbor's newly purchased SUV also encountered this issue where the automatic headlights wouldn't turn off during the day. I helped him check the vehicle manual and found that some models allow sensitivity adjustment in the settings menu—if set too sensitive, the lights may mistakenly activate on cloudy days. Another common cause is installing low-quality window tint; dark metallic films can block the light sensor. It's best to try resetting to factory settings first: with the engine off, hold the button on top of the light stalk for ten seconds. If that doesn’t work, you might need to check the control module fuse—the 7.5-amp one is most prone to blowing, and replacing it yourself costs just a few dollars.

[DelJoel]

Last month, we repaired a car with the same issue. The owner had bought a chrome grille modification from Taobao, but the reflective strips directly shone onto the sensor, making the system think it was dark and keeping the lights on. Actually, the automatic headlight system is simpler than you might think: the 'eye' in front of the windshield checks the light conditions, and the 'brain' under the steering wheel controls the switch. At our shop, we used a multimeter to test the data flow and found that one-third of the faults were caused by high-pressure car wash hoses loosening the sensor connectors. If the wiring has been modified or dashcam cables are improperly routed, short circuits can also occur. We recommend first unplugging all aftermarket devices to test.