Fading displays... why??

SWOT1 · 03-08-2018, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSY

Just out of curiosity, when you turn the brightness wheel next to the headlight control, does it work properly - such and increase and decrease brightness?

Brightness wheel works fine. Does NOT effect the fading issue I'm dealing with...

Samartt · 03-14-2018, 11:48 PM

Just took delivery of an M40i on Saturday. I noticed this behavior on a drive on Sunday. It’s seems to be a sensor issue. The sensor appears to be on the left side of the digital cockpit. While the lighting appeared to be at 50% brightness, I shined my iPhone (flashlight mode) randomly around the dash. Not until I got to the left side of the cockpit did the lighting become 100% bright. My dealer included ceramic tint on the vehicle. Maybe this has something to do with it?

No1Cares · 03-15-2018, 07:05 AM

any updates SWOT1?

SWOT1 · 03-15-2018, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casotakar

any updates SWOT1?

Very interesting... Played with it a bit (flashlight on phone, all around the dash) and there does seem to be a sensor on the instrument panel effecting the fade. I need to play with it more to see exactly where and why. (Nice find, Samartt!)

Assuming that's the case, can it be coded out?

nyalpine90 · 03-15-2018, 01:10 PM

i would check idrive settings

sor · 03-15-2018, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWOT1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casotakar

any updates SWOT1?

Very interesting... Played with it a bit (flashlight on phone, all around the dash) and there does seem to be a sensor on the instrument panel effecting the fade. I need to play with it more to see exactly where and why. (Nice find, Samartt!)

Assuming that's the case, can it be coded out?

Wondering if we can find a correlation between tint and the issue. I imagine under many circumstances the dimming is not noticed since it corresponds to a decrease in ambient lighting.

SSIMPS · 03-15-2018, 02:29 PM

Just had the exact same thing happen to me for the first time. All displays (instrument panel, iDrive, and HVAC faded to about 50% normal brightness.

It happened in the middle of my ~hour long commute, daytime, adjusting brightness did affect it, but even at 100% on the scroll wheel the displays were still maybe 60% normal brightness.

On a side note I also have a CEL that isnt showing on my ODBII scanner or under check control.

The car also went into limp mode out of nowhere and once I turned it off and back on it was fine. Scanned for codes and again nothing....

Fingers crossed that these were all weird 1 offs but definitely a little concerned.

BobsM3Coupe · 03-15-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSIMPS

On a side note I also have a CEL that isnt showing on my ODBII scanner or under check control.

There is a Service Campaign that will set off the CEL. Your dealer can see if your vehicle is included in the campaign. Problem is, I don't believe replacement parts are available yet.

No1Cares · 03-20-2018, 05:22 PM

weird swot. I've been looking very carefully at my displays. I even had the front windows tinted to match the rears and figured it might have an impact, but I have not seen anything unusual yet. only 900 miles on the vehicle and I've put about 250 of those on there, my fiance the rest.

sinbad4 · 03-23-2018, 11:45 PM

No help here, but thanks for pic post. I've been ordered M40i w/ vented seats, but was dying trying to figure out where controls would be! See them now. ;-)

clancep2 · 05-14-2018, 02:54 PM

Yep! It's a tint issue. I got my M40i on March 14th and finally got around to tinting the front windows last week. Never had an issue with the instrument panel dimming. Once I got my windows tinted to match the rears, the displays dim when the sun is typically on the driver's side or passenger side. I've even rolled my driver's window halfway when they are dimmed and they immediately brighten. I wish I there was a max brightness setting that could be enabled in idrive.

nxa · 05-14-2018, 05:57 PM

Reminds me of the guy that went to see the doctor complaining of a sore eye every time he drinks a mug of tea. Doctor confirmed he took sugar with it, then suggested he takes the tea spoon out before drinking.

Have you tried taking off your transition lenses?

(Sorry!)

SWOT1 · 05-14-2018, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clancep2

Yep! It's a tint issue. I got my M40i on March 14th and finally got around to tinting the front windows last week. Never had an issue with the instrument panel dimming. Once I got my windows tinted to match the rears, the displays dim when the sun is typically on the driver's side or passenger side. I've even rolled my driver's window halfway when they are dimmed and they immediately brighten. I wish I there was a max brightness setting that could be enabled in idrive.

There must be a way to fix this with coding, no??

DW_x3m40i · 05-15-2018, 12:26 AM

Do anyone else with their front windows tinted have this problem?

What type of film did you all use for the tint and what % darkness?

What about any issues with HUD for those that tinted front windshield?

SWOT1 · 05-15-2018, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DW_x3m40i

Do anyone else with their front windows tinted have this problem?

What type of film did you all use for the tint and what % darkness?

What about any issues with HUD for those that tinted front windshield?

Doesn't effect the HUD, but all the other displays fade badly...

MdW86 · 05-17-2018, 03:38 AM

Im am waiting for my X3 (and therefore reading these topics), but currently I have the BMW 5 touring (G31).

This car has the same issue that you guys describe. I have no tinted windows, only the panoramic sunroof is (factory) tinted.

ParadigmDawg · 05-17-2018, 01:59 PM

My windows are tinted and I don't have a display issue.

MdW86 · 05-17-2018, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

My windows are tinted and I don't have a display issue.

Or have you just not noticed it yet? It took me over a month to notice. After having parked and being on the phone for a while I saw it fade to 50 and back to 100%. Maybe the clouds were moving and just a small change in lightning made it happen..

ParadigmDawg · 05-17-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MdW86

Or have you just not noticed it yet? It took me over a month to notice. After having parked and being on the phone for a while I saw it fade to 50 and back to 100%. Maybe the clouds were moving and just a small change in lightning made it happen..

Maybe? I honestly don't look at gauges and displays much and I can't see the HUD with my polarized sunglasses. I just drive the crap out of the thing.

clancep2 · 05-18-2018, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWOT1

There must be a way to fix this with coding, no??

I don't think this can be coded. I wished it were. I think my % of tint is around 20 or 25%. I did the flashlight test in the upper left corner of the instrument panel and they immediately went to max brightness. It's def something about the sensor in the upper left corner. Even when I turn the headlights on manually in the daytime and mess with the dimmer dial... nothing happens. I assume the dimmer can only be used for nighttime driving.

yllwwgn · 05-19-2018, 02:06 PM

Yes it’s a tint thing. Mine started to do the same after I got ceramic tint on the front. For reference mine is 20%.

bmtespar · 05-19-2018, 09:45 PM

I believe it would be the daylight sensor you need to have checked. This car as well as other bmw’s will illuminate white in low light settings such as cloudy or rain situations but then the controls will illuminate orange in the night time mode. I’m not sure I’m explaining that well enough to make sense but the white illumination in low light is a definite feature on many bmw models. The tell tale is when the numbers in the ac unit are white instead of orange.

03-14-2018, 11:48 PM	#24
Samartt Registered 6 Rep 2 Posts Drives: ‘15 Audi S3 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Just took delivery of an M40i on Saturday. I noticed this behavior on a drive on Sunday. It’s seems to be a sensor issue. The sensor appears to be on the left side of the digital cockpit. While the lighting appeared to be at 50% brightness, I shined my iPhone (flashlight mode) randomly around the dash. Not until I got to the left side of the cockpit did the lighting become 100% bright. My dealer included ceramic tint on the vehicle. Maybe this has something to do with it? Attached Images
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03-15-2018, 07:05 AM	#25
No1Cares Lieutenant 435 Rep 570 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	any updates SWOT1?
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03-15-2018, 01:10 PM	#27
nyalpine90 Lieutenant General 7433 Rep 11,843 Posts Drives: MY24 G01 AW Msport Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: L.I. NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2016 BMW X4 [9.33]	i would check idrive settings
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03-15-2018, 02:29 PM	#29
SSIMPS Lieutenant 111 Rep 537 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Just had the exact same thing happen to me for the first time. All displays (instrument panel, iDrive, and HVAC faded to about 50% normal brightness. It happened in the middle of my ~hour long commute, daytime, adjusting brightness did affect it, but even at 100% on the scroll wheel the displays were still maybe 60% normal brightness. On a side note I also have a CEL that isnt showing on my ODBII scanner or under check control. The car also went into limp mode out of nowhere and once I turned it off and back on it was fine. Scanned for codes and again nothing.... Fingers crossed that these were all weird 1 offs but definitely a little concerned. __________________ 2018 X3 M40i - JB4 / BMS Billet Intake 2015 M4 6MT - JB4 / Gintani DPs 2005 M3 6MT - VF Engineering S/C / KW / StopTech / Dinan / HPF Stage III (removed)- Track Toy
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03-20-2018, 05:22 PM	#31
No1Cares Lieutenant 435 Rep 570 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	weird swot. I've been looking very carefully at my displays. I even had the front windows tinted to match the rears and figured it might have an impact, but I have not seen anything unusual yet. only 900 miles on the vehicle and I've put about 250 of those on there, my fiance the rest.
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03-23-2018, 11:45 PM	#32
sinbad4 Captain 783 Rep 911 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	No help here, but thanks for pic post. I've been ordered M40i w/ vented seats, but was dying trying to figure out where controls would be! See them now. ;-)
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05-14-2018, 02:54 PM	#33
clancep2 New Member 9 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Cadillac ...soon to be BMW Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Scottsdale,AZ iTrader: (0)	Yep! It's a tint issue. I got my M40i on March 14th and finally got around to tinting the front windows last week. Never had an issue with the instrument panel dimming. Once I got my windows tinted to match the rears, the displays dim when the sun is typically on the driver's side or passenger side. I've even rolled my driver's window halfway when they are dimmed and they immediately brighten. I wish I there was a max brightness setting that could be enabled in idrive.
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05-14-2018, 05:57 PM	#34
nxa Second Lieutenant 112 Rep 200 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30d M Sport Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 30d [0.00]	Reminds me of the guy that went to see the doctor complaining of a sore eye every time he drinks a mug of tea. Doctor confirmed he took sugar with it, then suggested he takes the tea spoon out before drinking. Have you tried taking off your transition lenses? (Sorry!)
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05-15-2018, 12:26 AM	#36
DW_x3m40i Private 40 Rep 77 Posts Drives: X3m40i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: SF iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW/X3 m40i [0.00]	Do anyone else with their front windows tinted have this problem? What type of film did you all use for the tint and what % darkness? What about any issues with HUD for those that tinted front windshield?
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05-17-2018, 03:38 AM	#38
MdW86 Private First Class 83 Rep 187 Posts Drives: Bmw f30 320i 2012 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NL iTrader: (0)	Im am waiting for my X3 (and therefore reading these topics), but currently I have the BMW 5 touring (G31). This car has the same issue that you guys describe. I have no tinted windows, only the panoramic sunroof is (factory) tinted.
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05-17-2018, 01:59 PM	#39
ParadigmDawg Captain 610 Rep 893 Posts Drives: 2019 AMG GLC63s Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fort Worth, Texas iTrader: (0)	My windows are tinted and I don't have a display issue.
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05-19-2018, 02:06 PM	#43
yllwwgn Lieutenant 170 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milky Way, Earth, North America, Arizona more specifically. iTrader: (0)	Yes it’s a tint thing. Mine started to do the same after I got ceramic tint on the front. For reference mine is 20%.
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05-19-2018, 09:45 PM	#44
bmtespar Major 709 Rep 1,066 Posts Drives: 19 X3 30i, 18 230iX Vert Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Atlanta Ga iTrader: (0)	I believe it would be the daylight sensor you need to have checked. This car as well as other bmw’s will illuminate white in low light settings such as cloudy or rain situations but then the controls will illuminate orange in the night time mode. I’m not sure I’m explaining that well enough to make sense but the white illumination in low light is a definite feature on many bmw models. The tell tale is when the numbers in the ac unit are white instead of orange.
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