Automatic headlights

[Zorganator]

Just over the weekend I have noticed that my headlights were turning on automaticaly when starting up and when driving in broad daylight (sunshine). I have tried overiding the sensors by pressing the Auto button on the headlight stalk but they still stay on with pressing. Can anyone advise if they have had this problem or if they have any ideas as to what maybe causing the problem?

All help is much appreciated
Thanks

[cactusbob]

You can only turn the auto lights off with the button whilst you are stationery

[Zorganator]

I will try this and see if it works. As the lights came on during daylight is there a problem with the sensors or are they just very sensitive to shade? Also if when stationary this does not work do you think it is a job for a Renault dealer?

[IainMW]

I've often thought that the light sensor is not sensitive enough.
Mine at times has sillies where the lights won't go off but it can be practically daylight and times when it's almost dark and they refuse to come on

Has your car had a new windscreen in it by any chance?

[Zorganator]

I dont think the windscreen has been replaced but it might of been. I have no paperwork or receipts from previous owner to back this up mind you! Would that make a difference?
Hopefully this is an intermittant problem
Its nice to know that other fellow Megane owners have had the same problem, I wonder if it is fairly common throughout the model range

[cactusbob]

When the windscreen is replaced it must be replaced with a new mounting point for the sensors else they don't work properly

[Zorganator]

Thanks - that could be the problem!
I have it booked in at a local Renault garage so I will get them to check it over.

[DaveP]

I've noticed that the lights seem to come on when the sun is low in the sky and shining straight at the windscreen, even though it seems perfectly bright still, and yet other times when there is no sun at all and its getting pretty gloomy they don't come on 'till well after I would have chosen to turn them on manually. As all 3 of ours megs have had the same characteristics I guess its normal! My new A6's auto lights are more sensitive, they come on if drive under trees in the middle of the day!

[Gav]

My new A6's auto lights are more sensitive, they come on if drive under trees in the middle of the day!

That's like the Jaguar ones, they seem so sensitive that they're on and off all the time. To me it makes the driver look like an idiot.

Personally I don't tend to bother with the auto-lights. I run with side/tail lights on all the time after living in Norway for 6 months (where you must have dipped beams on 24/7). I drive into the sun to and from work, and since the lanes are twisty, sometimes I really appreciate those drivers with lights on that mean you actually see them. I guess Renault are trying to make sure that when the sun is low, shining into the driver, they're on so that the car behind has a hope of seeing your tail lights.

Do the auto-lights only switch between off and dipped beam? Any way to get them transitioning through sidelights as well?

[DaveP]

To me it makes the driver look like an idiot.

No offence taken!

[Gav]

No offence taken!

I meant the Jaguar drivers. I haven't seen any Audi's exhibiting that symtom. Of course if it doesn't work quite right for you (generically), then just over-ride the technology. It's the drivers who think "the car must be right to turn lights off, now on, now off, now on, now off" as they drive under some trees who are giving too much control to the car. I'll stop there before I fall into this large hole I've dug!