I've seem to have found a problem.

[JayyLebron]

Hey everyone! My name's Jay, I've been wandering these forums for a while as I searched for my own Z4. Finally found one (06 3.0SI 66k Miles) and picked her up on Friday, and I've been snowed in ever since. This is my first BMW and have enjoyed it for the day or two of driving I actually got out of it before the snow came down.

Now to get to the point, I seem to have found a problem while looking at it yesterday, my exterior lighting control switch/panel remains lit whenever the car is off, I checked making sure I didn't miss anything (Car is obviously off, doors locked, so on) and nothing seems to turn it off, maybe I did miss something and it's not a big a deal as I think it is. I ran a few searches and couldn't find anything similar, all help is appreciated! My brother also owns the same car, and he can't think of anything simple that it could be. Thanks everyone!

[3002 tii]

I have a similar issue where my instrument panel might stay on or I get the constant chiming noise despite key being pulled out. I replaced ignition switch but still no dice. Only "fix" is to stick the key back in and turn it on/off few times (while door is closed) and then pull key out. If door is open the chime will still persist after pulling out key. Not sure if it's related but my key fob remote won't work at times. I have to lock/unlock doors manually.

[2006E85]

Jayy is my Little Brother (congrats on the purchase Bro!!!!)

Just to put the information out here, I have a similar issue to 3002tii. When sometimes I have gotten out of the car and the instrument panel stays on, closing the door and turning the key to the "on" position and then back "off" fixes the issue every time. I tried relaying the info to Jayy, but it seems to not be working on his car.

[JayyLebron]

Yeah, I've tried it a couple of times and nothing happened, guess I can do it a few more times and see if it works with a few more tries, first time I did it was just two or three

[DerekSelmanRacing]

Not sure this is actually your issue, but some "stuff" on BMW's stays on for a while after you shut off the car and close the doors. Pretty sure it's normal because multiple BMW's I've owned have been the same. For instance, if you park the car in your garage with the trunk open and the trunk light on, it will automatically turn off the light after about 10 minutes. Shifter lights also stay on on my cars for several minutes. If the lights go out after 10-20 minutes, I would assume it to be normal.

[RossBMWZseries]

That's pretty cool; we have 2 brothers in the same forum, driving the same car.. Awesome! Congrats Jay. My brother has the same issue in his vehicle. Although it's not a BMW, you could give this a try.

He turns off the vehicle, pulls key out of ignition, but the panel lights remain on. He then closes his door (doesn't lock it, just closes it), then opens the door again, toggles the switch manually on and off until it stays off. Hopefully that works.

I've experienced this issue as well in my Z4 maybe 5 times. All lights including cluster remain on. I manually move the switch to off position then on then off then automatic on again. OR, I insert the key in ignition, then toggle on and off. When it goes off, I pull out the key, move it back to automatic, close the door, and carry on

[JayyLebron]

Thanks guys! Ill have to try more on and off action and see what works out. Tried just turning it to on then off multiple times to no avail. But we'll see I'll tinker around with it more after work.

[KevinC]

Pretty sure this is normal behavior. The light switch stays lit so that you can locate it if you're getting in in the dark. My car does it, and I'm pretty sure my ZHP does too. It doesn't stay on all the time, just when you've opened the door.. then shuts off automagically at some point.

[ccameselle]

I am also new to the Z$ BMW. I just got my self a new 2007 Z4 3.0si and I have noticed that if I am inside the car with the car on, and I turn off the car and hit the button on the remote without opening the door that the interior light stays on. Its like the car knows that I did not open the door so it leaves the light on. If I open the door and then lock the car from outside the lights turn off after a few seconds.
I hope this helps.

[JayyLebron]

To clarify, I noticed it with the doors closed and locked, and it was about a day after I had droven it, so its definitely nothing normal. Messed around with it for a while after work and nothing has been working out. Still trying to look into it.

[ccameselle]

Have you try to lock the car a different way? Or with a different remote? Or using the key hole outside the door?

[JayyLebron]

Yes, I've tried it just about every way I think possible.

[JCF]

Is it possible that the car doesn't know the door is closed? A broken door sensor/switch might cause the issue you're describing?

[JayyLebron]

I mean, maybe, but I feel like that would make it so that all the other lights also stay on, its just that cluster of lights that's why it's so odd.

[RossBMWZseries]

I wonder if this can drain your battery..

[chickdr]

I am sure it can if it is on long enough.