Automatic lighting when applying washing liquid to Geely Emgrand

Owners of modern Chinese-made cars, in particular models Geely EmgrandThey are often confronted with the behavior of onboard electronics that at first seem strange or even frightening. The situation when pressing the windshield washer lever in the daytime on the dashboard lights up icon on the dipped beam or really light up the headlights, occurs regularly. Many drivers begin to look for a fault in the wiring, sin on the "glitch" of Chinese electronics or suspect a circuit in the steering switch.

However, we hasten to reassure: in the vast majority of cases, the described behavior is a regular function, laid down by engineers, and not a breakdown. Modern systems of body electrics management, such as BCM Body Control Module is programmed to ensure maximum safety of movement even in small things. The logic of the algorithms suggests that if the glass requires cleaning, then visibility has deteriorated, and the car should become more visible to other road users.

In this article, we will analyze in detail the reasons for this behavior of electrical equipment, consider the relationship between rain sensors, lighting and control unit. You will learn how to distinguish between normal system operation and real malfunction, and whether to intervene in factory settings through diagnostic equipment.

Logic of the onboard network and safety

The main reason why when applying washing liquid to the windshield model Emgrand The lighting is automatically turned on, and active safety is a priority. The algorithm of the work EBOU The premise of the control unit is that the driver sees the contamination and decides to wash the glass, so the visibility conditions may not be ideal. At this point, the system forcibly activates the passing light or daytime running lights (DHO) in enhanced mode to increase the visibility of the car.

This function is especially relevant for countries with variable climates, where sunlight can be replaced by cloudy weather. The light sensor, usually located at the top of the windshield next to the rear-view mirror, may not have time to respond to rapidly changing conditions, while the driver's action (washing the glass) serves as a clear signal to the system. Controller This signal is interpreted as a command to “be more visible.”

⚠️ Note: If, along with the lights on, you observe the blinking of the entire dashboard or the spontaneous inclusion of wipers without the supply of liquid, this may indicate a problem with the “mass” or oxidation of contacts in the steering plume, rather than the normal operation of logic.

It is important to understand that in the configuration with automatic light (Auto) the system may react more aggressively. When manually controlling the light, the effect may manifest itself differently or not at all, depending on the year of release and specific firmware. BCM. In some versions Geely Emgrand This behavior is programmable, but by default it is always enabled by the manufacturer.

The role of the rain and light sensor

A key element in this chain of events is the optical unit that combines the rain sensor and the light sensor. It is he who transmits a signal that liquid is supplied to the glass. When you activate the washer, a jet of water or chemical solution blocks the path of the light beam inside the sensor or dramatically changes the refractive index, which is perceived by the electronics as a “pour” or a sharp change in the transparency of the glass.

The system responds to a sharp change in the optical properties of the glass surface. For controller It doesn’t matter if rain is falling from the sky or if you are pouring liquid from the tank, the physical process on the surface is identical. The logic of protection works instantly. In cars. Emgrand The sensitivity of this sensor is often tuned to a high level to prevent the onset of rain from skipping.

There are several types of system response to a sensor signal at the time of washing:

• 🌧️ Simulated night: The system forcibly turns on the passing light, ignoring the readings of the light sensor for a few seconds.
• 💡 Strengthening DRL: Daytime running lamps are not switched off but are switched to passing beam operation (if a separate filament or LED matrix is provided by the design).
• ⏱️ Shutdown delay: The lights go on for a while after you let go of the washer lever to ensure safety when leaving the gas station or sink.

If the sensor is contaminated from the outside or has a crack on the protective glass, false positives can occur without your actions. In this case, the system will randomly turn on the light, reacting to flying insects or shadows from trees.

Diagnostics of regular behavior and malfunctions

Like a proprietor. Geely Emgrand Do you know that your car is okay or is it time to go to the service? The line between “smart function” and “glitch” is sometimes thin, but clear criteria do exist. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the synchronization of actions. The standard lighting occurs strictly at the time of the start of the liquid supply and, as a rule, stops 5-15 seconds after the end of the washing pump.

If the light continues to burn constantly after a single puff, or turns on when lightly touching the glass with your hand, this is a reason for a deeper check. It is also worth checking the work. sensor in different modes. Often the problem lies not in the logic of inclusion, and in the incorrect calibration of the sensitivity of the optical unit.

For quick check of the system condition, you can use the following algorithm:

1. Start the engine and wait for the power grid to warm up.
2. Make sure the light switch is in position Auto Or off.
3. Shortly press the lever of the washer (no more than 1 second).
4. Take a look at the time the lights are on after the lever is released.

Normal behavior is when the light lights immediately and go out within 10-20 seconds. If the delay is a few minutes or the light does not go out before the lever is repressed (like a switch), it may stick to the relay in the fuse block or there is a software failure in the safety lock. BCM.

Symptoms.	Probable cause	Status
The lights are turned on only when washing	Staff security logic	Norma.
Light flashes when janitors work	Maintenance mode or malfunction	Requires a check-up.
The rain sensor indicator is constantly on.	Sensor area contamination or error	Malfunction
The washing machine is working, the lights are not turned on.	Disabled in settings or the fuse burned	Individually

Impact of completeness and year of release

Conduct of electrical equipment on Geely Emgrand It can vary significantly depending on the year of production and the market. Cars assembled for China’s domestic market often have more aggressive automation settings compared to export versions for the CIS countries. This is due to differences in safety standards and driver habits.

In older models, where classical wiring without complex tires is used CANThe function can be implemented through a simple time relay tied to the contact of the motor washer. In such cases, the lights are turned on physically, and it is not programmatically possible to turn off this. In new models with digital architecture everything is tied to the program flags.

Differences in Firmware for Different Markets

Some of the smart features present in Chinese versions are often disabled in Russian firmware, but the basic security logic (light when washed) usually remains unchanged, as it is certified as an active security element.

If you purchased a car imported by parallel import, you may encounter a situation where the light settings menu is entirely in Chinese, and the option to turn off this feature is present there, but hidden in deep engineering menus. Owners of official dealerships usually only have the basic setting “Automatic Light” without detailing scenarios.

It is also worth considering that with each software update, the dealership may change the algorithms of work. EBOU. Sometimes, after planned maintenance, the behavior of the machine changes: the function can appear where it was not, or vice versa, become less intrusive.

Configuring and Programming through OBDII

For those who are annoyed by the constant blinking of headlights or the inclusion of lights in broad daylight, there is the possibility of software adjustments. For Geely Emgrand The most common tool is a diagnostic scanner that supports protocols. GeelyFor example, ThinkDiag with appropriate software or specialized Chinese scanners.

The process of changing settings requires caution. Incorrect interference with the configuration BCM It can cause the wipers, headlight corrector or central lock to stop working. Before starting any work, be sure to save the original configuration (make a backup).

The main parameters that can be changed:

• 🛠️ Light Auto On: Complete prohibition or authorization of automatic activation.
• ⏳ Delay Time: Time delay of the light out after the washing machine is finished.
• 💧 Rain Sensor Sensitivity: The sensitivity threshold at which the logic of “rain/wash” is triggered.

If you do not have experience with diagnostic equipment, it is better to refrain from independent experiments. In service centers, engineers can change the Light On With Washer to Disabled setting and the problem will disappear forever, but the car will no longer perform the visibility function.

Typical malfunctions and methods of their elimination

Despite the fact that most often the inclusion of lights during washing is the norm, there are also breakdowns masquerading as this function. The most common of them is the ingress of moisture into the connector of the rain sensor or into the block itself. BCMIf it's not well positioned. Moisture causes the contacts to short-circuit, and the system “thinks” that it is raining or the washer is working.

Also often occurs oxidation of the "mass" on the body. In this case, when the current is applied to the washer pump (which consumes significant current), voltage in the network is lost, and the sensors begin to give chaotic signals. This can result in lights turning on, resetting the tape recorder settings, or dashboard blinking.

⚠️ Warning: Before replacing an expensive control unit or rain sensor, be sure to check the status of the battery terminals and grounding points of the body. Often the problem is solved by cleaning contacts for 100 rubles, and not buying new electronics.

If you notice that the lights turn on on on their own, without your actions, try gently tapping on the rear-view mirror area. If a reaction follows, the rain sensor has an internal defect or the contact of its plume is broken. In such cases, the optical unit assembly is required to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I turn off the lights completely when spraying on the glass?

Yes, in most cases this is possible through diagnostic equipment (OBDII scanner) by changing the configuration of the device. BCM. However, if your configuration does not have a setting menu in the onboard computer, without a "computer" it will not work. The mechanical method (fuse) is best avoided, as it will disrupt the operation of other systems.

Why do the lights turn on even when the sun is shining bright outside?

This is a feature of the security algorithm. The system prioritizes the signal from the rain/wash sensor over the light sensor at the time of liquid delivery. The logic is, “If a driver washes glass, he needs help to make himself visible,” no matter what time of day.

Does this feature affect the life of the lamps or battery?

Short-term lighting (for 10-15 seconds) practically does not affect the life of modern halogen or LED lamps, since the main wear occurs at the time of inclusion (current throw). For the battery, it is also negligible load. You should only worry if the light is constantly on because of a malfunction.

What if the light stops turning on when washing?

If the function worked before and then disappeared, check the settings in the car menu (Section "Light" or "Car"). The fuse responsible for the light control circuit could also burn out, or the rain sensor itself could fail. In rare cases, this happens after updating the firmware at the dealer.