Door (guard) lights not turning off

[318touring]

Let me explain more clearly:

in my BMW, if you keep your doors open, the interior lights on the doors will eventually switch themselves off. My newly acquired 996 doesn't do that. I kept the doors opened for cleaning and those oval red/white light on each door doesn't turn itself off at all.

I'm wondering whether this is a feature or a bug?

Edited November 14, 2010 by 318touring

[nghiaho58]

Let me explain more clearly:

in my BMW, if you keep your doors open, the interior lights on the doors will eventually switch themselves off. My newly acquired 996 doesn't do that. I kept the doors opened for cleaning and those oval red/white light on each door doesn't turn itself off at all.

I'm wondering whether this is a feature or a bug?

I beleive it is normal. My 2000 C2 does the same thing.

[318touring]

I beleive it is normal. My 2000 C2 does the same thing.

If this is the case, will it cause the battery to go flat if the lights have been on for a couple of hours almost every day.

I'm currently working on the leather seats, bringing them back to a better condition but I will obviously need to keep the doors open for better access, better lighting etc.

[RFM]

It should help if you remove the door lights and bulbs, in first place to avoid battery problems and in second place to avoid melting door lights produced by the bulb heat.

They ware created for normal use, not for hours, the interior light idem.

[DaveFL76]

An electrical gremlin in my '99 996 makes it so the door sill lights only come on if the key is in the ignition. Makes it sort of tricky to get into the car on a dark, dark night and find the key hole!

[318touring]

It should help if you remove the door lights and bulbs, in first place to avoid battery problems and in second place to avoid melting door lights produced by the bulb heat.

They ware created for normal use, not for hours, the interior light idem.

Thanks.

I'd done this to my trusty, daily driver sub-$1000 Mazda. I didn't expect I have to do this on my P-car :rolleyes:

Edited November 15, 2010 by 318touring

[E Kap]

I have had the doors open for 3 hours or more, cleaning/waxing the car. After, car started right up, no problems. Also, I was listening to the radio at the same time. My battery had no problem running out.

Eric

1999 C4

[318touring]

I have had the doors open for 3 hours or more, cleaning/waxing the car. After, car started right up, no problems. Also, I was listening to the radio at the same time. My battery had no problem running out.

Eric

1999 C4

Good to hear that. From the service book, it seems that the battery was replaced at 2007, then replaced again just before I took delivery. So I'm hopefully fine, although I'm actually using my ghetto blaster rather than the car's stereo system.

[RFM]

daveFL76, let (your dealer) run PIWIS "new car delivery" and your problem should be gone.

[RatboneRanch]

Sometimes in hot weather I open my engine lid to let the engine compartment cool more quickly. When I do, the engine compartment light shuts off after a while. So does the trunk light if I leave it open. So I would bet the door lights are supposed to shut down too.