C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

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fatlozza
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C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by fatlozza »

Just bought a C5.. diesel, 2002. Love it, but the automatic lights thing is driving me mental. I turn them off, via the accessories setting on the ignition key... it says 'auto lights on' ... then beeps again and says nowt. So I assume they are now off. Wrong! Drive along for a few mins and it comes on, then goes off.. more or less randomly: it's been 24C and pretty bright the past few days. Wouldn't worry too much (other than the little kid on a bike who thought I'd flashed him to cross the road when I hadn't) except when the whole lot of lights went off at night as I drove along (pretty sure I had them on manual too). The sensor is clean on the windscreen, but I've heard you need to click off the back plate (plastic, with rear mirror) and make sure it's pressed firmly against the windscreen.

A) Can I disable it totally?
B) How can I get the plastic cover thing off? Obviously it's not clipped in to the windscreen..
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oneday
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by oneday »

sounds like it maybe the comms 2000 fault do they come on when you put the indicators on after 3 or 4 flashes
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by myglaren »

Unplug the sensor.
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by fatlozza »

They seem to come on randomly: i hear a click and they are back on... would love to unplug the sensor... I'm pretty sure I'm capable of working out when to turn on the lights! where's it plugged in to? How?
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by myglaren »

It is in the base for the rear view mirror. The base slides down and off, there are two sensors there, on for rain and the other for the lights.
I don't have my car here at the minute so can't be certain but I think it is the nearside one.

I had a similar problem with my previous C5 and was stopped by the police.
I was following him and he put the light bar on and stopped me, thought I was indicating that I wanted his attention as I kept flashing the headlights at him.

It seemed to flash them at junctions and roundabouts so may have been a symptom of a faulty clockspring connector in the steering wheel, never did get it investigated before the car had to go.
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by oneday »

just been and had the problem with the comms unit repaired ie lights coming on and off at will took 40 mins cost 30 quid for that he removed it carried out the repair and refitted and tested. if you post the comms unit to him its 20 quid saved me buying a new one.
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fatlozza
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by fatlozza »

I tried getting the mirror off this morning: you must have a vice-like grip! I was terrified of breaking it, or me. As a stop-gap measure, I've taken to putting the side lights on, which stops the lights coming on and off at a whim.
I'll look into the comms unit thing, but I reckon you've got a really good price on that. Where is this guy who did the comms unit for £30?
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated: I'll keep trying to get the mirror off, too.
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myglaren
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by myglaren »

Pull it straight down, slides off quite easily.
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by fatlozza »

Aha! I tried to slide it forward down the windscreen!
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by oneday »

the guy who does the repairs is in bradford he does it by post aswell for 20 quid.

graeme hall

07599587119

give him a ring he also has units to buy
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myglaren
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Re: C5 2002: how to adjust the headlight sensor thing?

Post by myglaren »

fatlozza wrote:Aha! I tried to slide it forward down the windscreen!
That's it, just pull it downward parallel to the screen.
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