Home Lights Not Working - Which Fuse / What To Check?

[GaryF]

Hi folks,

I have an R58 JCW and recently the home lights have stopped working. This is the handy fuction that when leaving the car in the dark if you pull back on the lighting stalk (as if to flash the lights) the headlights come on and stay on for a configurable number of seconds to light your way.

I have checked the settings and it's still set to 40 secs and has always worked. I've had a set of DRLs fitted by a main dealer recently and wonder if that has anything to do with it.

I cant find any info on which fuse that these are on but the main headlights work fine in normal operation.

Any suggestions?

[rigga]

Battery gotten a little low on charge? Mine stopped working along with the welcome lights function when unlocking the car, charged the battery and working again. System monitor's the health of the battery and knocks functions off it it starts deteriorating .

[GaryF]

Thanks for that suggestion Rigga. I've not had any specific low battery warnings, though I have seen these on my Mum's Cooper S.

My car is driven quite a a bit and they are still not working tonight after a longish drive. If this is a possibility, I'll stick it on the battery conditioner and see if that makes any difference. I'm still on the original battery after 6 years...

[rigga]

As you say the headlights work, so not a fuse issue, as the BCM control module I assume just recognised ignition off, door not open, headlights flashed so triggers the home light function, either the control module has an issue, or the low charge aspect I initially mentioned, 6 years on the original battery is about how long mine lasted before it needed replacement.

[Armitage.Shanks]

What I can't understand is why when you select 'Welcome lights' that in the day time they all light up?

[GaryF]

Armitage.Shanks said:

What I can't understand is why when you select 'Welcome lights' that in the day time they all light up?

You may be referring to Rigga's post. My issue is with the 'Home Lights' (Settngs\Lights\Home Lights). Not tried my welcome lights (I don't leave the car on Auto lights so normally don't get to see those).

[GaryF]

Further development / observation. Tonight after coming home I tried my home lights again. To my amazement they came on (having not done so for a few weeks). However, they went off again after about four seconds rather than the programmed 40.

Is this perhaps due to battery drain as suggested, interference from the DRLs, wonky countdown timer, or full moon. Not sure, but it proves they are not completely dead, which is good.

[GaryF]

Update: Battery left on the conditioner and hey presto, home lights working again. Battery isn't holding full charge though so time to fit a new one.

Thanks for the diagnosis rigga!