Incandescent bulb monitoring according to safety guidelines

Hello,

I would like to learn more about this topic out of personal interest.
The search function didn't return any results related to the topic.

It's about monitoring light bulbs.

On my brother's BMW 525 tds (E39), manufactured in 1999, an instrument cluster warning message appeared: 'Please check front left parking light!'
After a few days, I checked the front left parking light, and yes, the bulb is burned out.
But what is that? Instead of a bright light, the left turn signal is emitting light at approximately half its normal intensity.
My reaction: Damn it! The mass has been lost, have fun!
I replaced the headlight bulb, and now it's working, and the turn signal is off.
Removed the parking light bulb, and after about 2 seconds, the turn signal came back on.
Okay, let's try again. I put in the parking light bulb, it lights up, and the turn signal stops working.

So, I've learned that the light bulbs are not only monitored by the control unit (which isn't surprising), but they can also be managed according to safety guidelines (which is new to me).
Unfortunately, due to a lack of time, I haven't been able to try out all the combinations (left, right, front, back), but I will try to catch up on them if possible.

Okay, here are my questions for you:

- Does this also happen in newer VAG cars?

- Does this effect depend on the side (left, right)?

- Does this function also depend on the position of the turn signal (in the headlight and outside of it)?


Perhaps someone here is familiar with this; all reports are welcome!

Best regards, Georg.

shooting from the hip: circuit for the American market, where the front turn signals are always dimly lit when the lights are turned on .

Could you please take a look at the various Service Information Bulletins (SIBs) related to the body control modules?

CU Gremlin.

The management is not a replacement for a market function, but rather a deliberate strategy.

I've also seen C-class Mercedes with their fog lights flashing, and a 5-series BMW (the one before the newest model) with both right taillights failing, along with the right brake light dimming.

I haven't seen this on VWs yet, but the G5 does some pretty interesting things with the lights. For example, it can leave the low beam headlights on and then turn everything off with a time delay.

m;

@ dislmartin --> You probably mean the "coming home" function and the "leaving home" function. This is intentional and is meant to guide you. Many new cars now have an "Auto" setting on the headlight switch.

Hi,

The interesting question, in my opinion, is what the legal situation is regarding this. An NSL (Nachrüstlichtanlage) is not a simple indicator and has a different approval - so, it shouldn't actually be allowed to blink. We would definitely get a serious scolding if we did that.

Or are there perhaps special permits for such "safety devices"? Or perhaps a different classification for "bicolor lamps"?

Best regards,

Jan.

... how the legal situation is regarding something like that. An NSL (Non-Signalling Light) isn't just a simple indicator light and has a different approval – so, it's actually not supposed to blink. We would definitely get a serious scolding if we did that.

Or are there perhaps special permits for such 'safety devices'? Or perhaps a different classification for 'bicolor lamps'?

That's exactly what it's about for me too. Specifically, legal regulations, classification, etc.

I understand that newer luxury vehicles have even more 'light effects' than just the road lighting provided by the NSL (Night Sight Lighting) system when entering and exiting the vehicle.

But I can't just use any type of light source I want for specific safety-critical emergency lighting/light signals, based on my own preferences or imagination.
I would also stare stupidly into the rearview mirror if someone in front of me suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree after slamming on the brakes on the highway. Where is security still guaranteed?

Best regards, Georg.

"That's an interesting question, though. I tend to think it's understandable if someone were to misuse the turn signal bulb as a parking light bulb if the parking light bulb itself is defective. On the other hand, I don't believe that's something manufacturers would allow, even in these times of energy conservation, as it would require specific wiring. Also, I don't think brake lights should ever be replaced with anything else." Is it possible for a light bulb to malfunction during removal, without serving any useful purpose?

Hi,

An unintended malfunction would not explain the 2-second pause mentioned above. It really looks like it was intentional... someone noticed a faulty bulb, paused briefly to see if it was just a loose connection, and then switched it off.

Best regards,

Jan.

Check out my avatar...

Don't discuss, read the SSP!

CU Gremlin.

Hi Gremlin,

Most people won't know how to obtain the relevant information.

At first glance, I haven't found anything suitable http://erwin.volkswagen.de.
If you know the numbers of the relevant SSPs (Standard Service Packages), it would be helpful to refer to them (but I'm not suggesting that you should take the time to read through them now, just a suggestion).

Best regards, Rainer.

I don't understand what the problem is; this is actually a useful thing. It means that if a light malfunctions, you won't be mistaken for a motorcycle, and vice versa, you won't have to stick your hand out to signal.

Most people won't know how to obtain the relevant information.

At first glance, I haven't found anything suitable .
If you know the number of the relevant SSP(s), it would be helpful to refer to them .

Okay, bitte gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest. SSP254 A4 Body Control Module, various articles in trade journals...


(This doesn't mean I have time to read this right now, just a suggestion.)
http://erwin.volkswagen.de

'Sorry, but if you don't have time to acquire experience and knowledge, you shouldn't complain. Nothing comes from nothing.'


Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Cu Gremlin'

Gremlin wrote:

... Quote: (This doesn't mean I have time to read this right now, just a suggestion.) "Sorry, but if you don't have time to acquire experience and knowledge, you shouldn't complain. Nothing comes from nothing." Cu Gremlin

I mean to say that I have neither the time nor the interest to delve into the topic, but I don't find "RTFM" (Read The Freaking Manual) to be a helpful approach.
Where is someone supposed to know that SSP stands for "Selbststudienprogramm" (self-study program), and that corresponding documents can be obtained from Erwin (siehe Fehlerdatenbank) or http://erwin.audi.de?

Hello,
Gremlin is often quite 'harsh' in his opinions.
Best regards,
Günther.

And he's right. Unfortunately, I only managed to make a very rough guess.