discussion X3 G01 centre armrest console light stays on after locking

[MR_Y]

I saw today, after inspecting my car in the pitch dark garage, that my centre armrest console light stays on after the car is locked. Even if the interior overhead light switch is off, and the centre armrest console lid is closed properly and the car is locked.

A quick Google search reveals that there is no light switch for the centre armrest console. This means that if you close the centre armrest lid, it has no impact on the little LED light inside that console/box that stays on.

This is not the case for the cubby/glove box light, that switches off when the cubby is closed.

I need to test this over a period of time with my phone camera recording video in the console.

 

[MR_Y]

So, after leaving my phone in the centre armrest console for longer than 10 minutes after I locked the car, I can conclude that the light stays on for about 11 minutes (according to my phone) and slowly dims off.

 

[MR_Y]

Anyway, just FYI for G01 owners. Hopefully the LED light staying on for 10-11 minutes after locking the car will not drain the battery much.

The above is pertinent for me, given that I replaced my car battery today. Though, seeing that the car battery lasted for at least 2 years (not sure if previous owner replaced it), I doubt this is a heavy drain.

 

[modocrat]

It might just be normal. If you sit in the car and turn off the ignition, how long does it take for the car to completely shut down and go to sleep?

On my Q5, I set the option on my tracking app to notify me whenever the ignition is switched on/off. The notification for 'ignition off' only comes through around 5 minutes after I've locked the car.

 

[MR_Y]

It might just be normal. If you sit in the car and turn off the ignition, how long does it take for the car to completely shut down and go to sleep?

On my Q5, I set the option on my tracking app to notify me whenever the ignition is switched on/off. The notification for 'ignition off' only comes through around 5 minutes after I've locked the car.

I need to hold down the radio button to switch off everything in the car (besides for this armrest light that stays on for a while).
My Tracker shows Ignition Off as soon as the engine is switched off.

@AshG108 I assume you may have same armrest light staying on issue when you close the armest, switch off the car and lock it?

 

[AshG108]

I need to hold down the radio button to switch off everything in the car (besides for this armrest light that stays on for a while).
My Tracker shows Ignition Off as soon as the engine is switched off.

@AshG108 I assume you may have same armrest light staying on issue when you close the armest, switch off the car and lock it?

I have not noticed this to be honest, when the ignition goes off, the entire car is pitch dark and no lights peeking out from anywhere but since this thread, I will take note today/this evening and check when i park the car.

The X3 is in for a battery change at BMW today, still has its original battery from manufacture ie. in 2018.

 

[Mrvaughng]

The light goes off after some time. Its also really timyvso i doubt its taking power

 

[MR_Y]

The light goes off after some time. Its also really timyvso i doubt its taking power

Yes.
I researched this a a bit further after the initial post.
It is a feature of the car to keep the LED light on inside the centre armrest for 10 minutes after the car is locked and the armrest is closed.

Apparently, it is more reliable having this LED on a timer than having a switch on the cubby lid that can break with frequent open/closing of the lid. I doubt it - but, I think it is a cost cutting measure to save on a switch and rather have a timer.

Anyway, my car battery lasted a long time so I assume this LED pulls very little power.

On a related point, the centre console flap/lid on my E85 Z4 had its light stay on all the time, because the little switch on the flap broke off.

 

[AshG108]

Howsit bud,

Checked this out on mine and it doesn't look like the lights stays on after the vehicle goes to sleep, it is pitch dark in there. Will maybe do the phone recording test also when this weekend.

 

[MR_Y]

Howsit bud,

Checked this out on mine and it doesn't look like the lights stays on after the vehicle goes to sleep, it is pitch dark in there. Will maybe do the phone recording test also when this weekend.

No worries.
From what I googled seems to be a "feature" on these cars.