electrical problem SOLVED
 

I'm chasing an electrical problem..... Or maybe not.
At night, when you turn your key to start the X5, do your
dash lights come on BEFORE you select headlights on?

I'm not sure what is the correct function.

If by dash light, you mean the lighting around the headlight knob, then YES. It does come on before I turn on the headlights. It turns on when the key is in the ACC position. If you mean the cluster gauge area, then NO.

My cluster gauge lights come on WITHOUT turning the headlights on.
This happens as go through acc1... Acc2... to engine start.
There is no change in cluster lighting when I select the headlights on
after I start the engine.

I do have the automatic headlights function.
But I don't use it.

If you have your headlight switched to Automatic mode, then yes, the dashlight will come on with the turn of the key. Otherwise, if the headlight switch is in the OFF position, then the dashlight should not come on.

Are your headlights on also. If so it could be coding re daytime running lights.

On my G35, the instrument cluster light always come on when the engine is started no matter what position the headlight switch is on. The only time the cluster light is off is if you use the dimmer switch turn it off.

I seem to recall never really noticing when my dash light were on, but that it seemed like when I was in a dark place, they were always on. Then again, I used the auto mode on the headlights (PS - why dont you?)

It's because I don't want my ballasts/HID bulbs to die prematurely by having my headlights switched on and off multiple times a day:
1. Turning on when the car is started in the garage, then off after backing out.
2. Turning on, then off going over several underpasses during my drive to work.
3. Turning on when I enter covered garage at work, then off when shutting off car.
4. Repeat above on the return trip.

The unnecessary turning on/off will add up over the years on a DD. Then again, may be I'm just old school and don't quite understand why someone can't take the 1 second to turn on/off their headlights only when needed.

Welcome to low driver involvement with their car. The trend in newer models features has been to make everything automatic including all driver aids: mirrors (lane change feature) Parking -both parallel and straight in your garage, auto-wipers, auto HVAC, auto-braking, auto -cruise (lane control) etc. Some are good some while others are really just a chance at showcasing engineering advances in electronics with limited value other than Gee Wizzzzzzzz.

In my mind, "auto headlights", WTF you can not tell it is dark? Auto wipers - you can not see rain?

Oh, yes I LOVE my distance sensors when parking these Hi-po monsters, so I an not against technology, just the features that remove a driver's involvement to becoming just a "transport occupant". :rofl:

I didn't think that repeated on/off was damaging to the electronics or bulbs. The bulbs obviously wear out with use.

Ymmv, your logic makes sense. I love my auto lights. One less thing to worry about. Ive even stated every time I see some moron driving at night with either no lights or drls on and wondered why it was not mandated equipment.

But hey those are convenience items, make life nice but not have to do.