Lights blinking randomly

[EddieA]

Was driving today and noticed the silver control buttons under front center vents blinking white and black at random. My family noticed it first and I thought they were nuts but it kept happening. Maybe electrical short?

These buttons.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Frequency? Any particular areas (driving in partially covered areas)?

Perhaps a fault in the ambient light sensor

 

[Kamauxx]

Probably driving on a tree-lined street? Kia's light sensors are way too sensitive. The headlights are on and off during most of my drives. Anytime there is even a little shade the lights come on.

 

[EddieA]

This was the first time that I noticed it. I’ll check it out tonight in the dark. Just regular daylight driving.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Heh! I didn't know those buttons were lighted. I'll have to look more closely. Someone recently complained that in hard daylight you can't read what is on the buttons because the lettering is "white". Well, it isn't white, it's a subtle combination of etched and colored lettering, to make it visible in varying lighting situations. I like it most of the time.

 

[EddieA]

Seemed okay driving when it was darker out. Must be the sensitivity of the light sensors like you mentioned guys.

 

[EddieA]

Heh! I didn't know those buttons were lighted. I'll have to look more closely. Someone recently complained that in hard daylight you can't read what is on the buttons because the lettering is "white". Well, it isn't white, it's a subtle combination of etched and colored lettering, to make it visible in varying lighting situations. I like it most of the time.

I didn’t think they had lights either. But, I swear they were turning white and black repeatedly. Maybe an optical illusion. Check’em out during the day and see if they flip between white and black every so often.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I didn’t think they had lights either. But, I swear they were turning white and black repeatedly. Maybe an optical illusion. Check’em out during the day and see if they flip between white and black every so often.

I did more than that: I cupped my hand around the buttons and saw the "white light" easily enough. At night, of course, they are clearly lit up. But I always thought that was a function of perceived darkness, and besides, the first thing I do when I start my car in the dim/dark is to turn on the headlights: so I figured the media lights were just a function of that. It never occurred to me that in daylight the buttons were actually lit up. (I am not going to put this on the "interesting discoveries" thread, however, because I did not discover it! )

If your buttons are turning black, then I bet there is a loose connection behind the dash. This would be proven by driving at night and having the lighted buttons clicking on and off randomly.

 

[EddieA]

Lights stayed on driving into work today in the dark. I keep my light on auto mode so never have to manual turn the lights on and off (reading your post MerlintheMad) sounds like you manually turn the headlights on when dark. It may be what Kamauxx described in his post, just the sensitivity of the light sensor which means it'll drive me nuts trying not to pay attention to it flickering in the daylight.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I've noticed this issue with the sensitivity of the auto headlights too. I've been turning my lights on or off manually to get around it since it was really starting to annoy me as I drive along a narrow tree lined road for my work commute.

 

[robz32]

Agree, the sensor sensitivity needs to be lower. One thing I wish Kia had implemented on their cars is the ability to adjust the sensor sensitivity, like in my previous Infiniti's, to prevent light going on and off like crazy.

I have been turning mine on or off manually because of this.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Agree, the sensor sensitivity needs to be lower. One thing I wish Kia had implemented on their cars is the ability to adjust the sensor sensitivity, like in my previous Infiniti's, to prevent light going on and off like crazy.

I have been turning mine on or off manually because of this.

Interesting. Until this discussion, I never thought of the auto setting being overly sensitive. Yes, I've also had my headlights come on and go off, seemingly with great responsiveness. First thing in the morning, I will be driving with the Map in nighttime mode, and it will stay that way until the first blast of sunlight, then switch to daytime mode, even if I drive back into the shade. I thought that was interesting the first time it happened. I will drive under a freeway underpass, and if I am coasting in bumper to bumper traffic, the map will revert to nighttime mode, and then back to daytime mode as soon as I clear the overpass. Same with the headlights in "auto"; the headlight icon will come on the dash. Then a few seconds after I clear the underpass the headlight icon will wink out.

(reading your post MerlintheMad) sounds like you manually turn the headlights on when dark.

When it is dusk or dark, I will just snap my headlights ON and bypass auto altogether.

 

[Dennis]

The auto mode works on the screen and buttons even if headlights are left in the off position. If you drive into a underpass with the headlight in off position it will toggle the Day and Night mode irregardless. I feel its a good implementation as it reduces glare and increases contrast when its bright. The sensitivity is a none issue for me as its working and changing to the ambient lighting condition. In fact its totally transparent until you focus on it. A well implemented product will have no or minimal distractionto users. If it constantly comes into your attention than something is of concern. That is from my experience from our daily life and more so in driving.

 

[EddieA]

The auto mode works on the screen and buttons even if headlights are left in the off position. If you drive into a underpass with the headlight in off position it will toggle the Day and Night mode irregardless. I feel its a good implementation as it reduces glare and increases contrast when its bright. The sensitivity is a none issue for me as its working and changing to the ambient lighting condition. In fact its totally transparent until you focus on it. A well implemented product will have no or minimal distractionto users. If it constantly comes into your attention than something is of concern. That is from my experience from our daily life and more so in driving.

I probably wouldn’t have noticed the flickering between black and white but my family brought it to my attention. Now I keep looking. No big deal if its not a short or anything needing a repair. I called the Kia dealer and reported it.

 

[Guest-214355]

Was driving today and noticed the silver control buttons under front center vents blinking white and black at random. My family noticed it first and I thought they were nuts but it kept happening. Maybe electrical short?

These buttons.

I probably wouldn’t have noticed the flickering between black and white but my family brought it to my attention. Now I keep looking. No big deal if its not a short or anything needing a repair. I called the Kia dealer and reported it.

Kia stinger has four or five recalls 1. Wiring harness problem under hood is covered 2. Stereo issue sound traveling all to the back covered by stereo manufacturers 3.trim above the doors both sides 4 paint cracks in hood and roof still arguing with dealer over that 5 shifter programming covered. Maybe its the harness under the hood now the hazzards are always running while remote start is operating