2022-2026 Audi Headlights Not Turning Off During Daylight

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 94 24 79 2063739/2, issued on April 12, 2024, to address a specific concern affecting various 2022-2026 Audi models. This bulletin, which supersedes TSB Group 94 number 21-39 dated June 23, 2021, provides guidance for situations where the vehicle's headlights remain on during daylight hours, even when the light switch is set to the "AUTO" position. This can be particularly noticeable for owners experiencing an "Audi e-tron headlights not turning off" issue.

Symptoms

Owners may observe that their vehicle's headlights do not switch off as expected during daylight. This condition, described as "Headlights may not turn off during daylight hours," occurs when the light switch is in the "AUTO" setting, leading to the headlights remaining illuminated longer than necessary or not turning off at all.

Why Your Headlights Stay On

The root cause of this issue lies with the vehicle's light sensor. Audi's technical background explains that certain environmental conditions can cause the sensor to detect lower ambient brightness than what the driver actually perceives. This often happens when the sun is low in the sky, particularly during winter, or when the sun is positioned behind the vehicle (as illustrated in Figure 1 of the TSB, showing the sun's trajectory relative to the sensor).

Additionally, a clear, blue sky with no cloud cover can reduce the reflection of the sun's radiation, leading to a lower infrared value being measured by the sensor. The sensor, typically located on the vehicle's roof (Figure 2 in the TSB shows a close-up of the sensor's location), misinterprets these conditions as darker than they are, preventing the headlights from switching off automatically.

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi emphasizes that this TSB is for informational purposes only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty. This means that any adjustments or service related to this issue may not be covered under your vehicle's warranty. Owners should be aware that the recommended solution is the only legally compliant way to minimize the occurrence of this situation.

The Fix: Adjusting MMI Settings

The recommended solution, as detailed in TSB 94 24 79 2063739/2 (internal reference 2063739), involves a simple adjustment within the vehicle's Multi Media Interface (MMI) settings. To address the "Audi e-tron headlights not turning off" problem, technicians and owners are advised to change the switch-on point of the headlights to "late" in the MMI settings. This adjustment alters the sensitivity of the light sensor, allowing the headlights to turn off more promptly when sufficient daylight is present.

What Audi Owners Should Do

If you own a 2022-2026 Audi vehicle and are experiencing the symptom of your headlights not turning off during daylight hours in "AUTO" mode, you can adjust the MMI settings yourself to change the headlight switch-on point to "late." Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for specific instructions on navigating the MMI system to locate and modify this setting. Since this TSB is informational and not warranty-applicable, performing this adjustment yourself can be a straightforward way to resolve the issue.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10254078