All:

I searched the forum and the manual, and couldn't find anything on point, so I'm tossing this out for comment.

Sometimes when I stop the car and leave the key in the ignition, the dash lights will blip every few seconds for a minute or two. In fact, when I brought my car in for the ESP/BAS defect, the car was flashing the exterior lights at us several times while it was sitting there. I asked the service manager what it was all about, but he didn't know. I originally thought that it was a visual warning (before opening the door) that the key was still in the switch, so I didn't think about it. But flashing the exterior lights (turn signals, I think) doesn't seem to fit. Anybody have any idea what this is all about?

Enquiring minds want to know...

Thanks,

jlm

 

That's exactly what it is: a reminder for you to take the key out of the ignition. Mentioned in the manual.

 

Vadim,

Thanks for the comment.

I wasn't too clear about what I saw...

The time the car blinked at the dealer's I was standing at the back of the car with the key in my hand talking to the service manager. That's what made me think it was doing something OTHER than reminding me the key was still in the ignition switch.

jlm

 

That could have been the car re-locking if you used the remote to unlock then did not open the drivers door withing 30 seconds. I have seen mine do that if I am talking and unlock the doors then do not open the door in time because I am talking.

 

mctwin2kman;

The dealer thought that might be what was going on, but the doors were still open. And I had been out of the car only 15-20 secs. And the blinking is really short, about 0.1 seconds, not the half-second or so that the lights blink when locking/unlocking.

Sounds like no one here has experienced the same thing. I guess I'll have to do a series of experiments to try to find out the exact combination of conditions that make this occur. I'm sure the car is trying to tell me something. Maybe it's the result of the BAS/ESP faults (I don't think I've seen it since the connector was replaced). Anyone know how to force a reversible fault easily so I can test for that?

jlm

 

Maybe the headlights were on, so the car was reminding you to switch them off?

 

vadim,

I suppose that is a possibility. I have them on auto, and have since the day I bought the car. The lights don't blink at me all the time, even if I leave the key in for a long time. Maybe the combination of switch position, key presence, and ambient light will cause the lights to blink. I can certainly check that out.

Thanks,

jlm