headlights cut out randomly

[Todgy]

Hi all
Three times now the headlights have just randomly cut out and left me with just the parking lights. Each time it happened when I was flicking the high beams on or off, afterwards I was only able to see fully by physically holding the high beam lever on. (There was a tiny bit of light remaining, I guess they're the parking lights.) What's this about? I have not spoken with dealer yet. Clearly this is dangerous. Ideas welcome.
I'd also echo things I've read elsewhere on here about the darkness of turning (especially left), as the LEDs are so tightly focussed on being straight ahead that there is no spillage to see the sides, when you're turning in places with no street lights. Also I have read here about the stark shadow line, more pronounced on the driver's side, of bright below and dark above. In the sticks where I am - no street lights and lanes are bumpy - this is kinda irritating.
But the random cutting out is the really dangerous thing, advice welcome.
Thanks.

PS - I have turned off the automatic high beam function because it's really erratic, basically doesn't work

 

[ReintjeWA]

I wouldn't say it's completely random, as you say it happens when you are flicking the high beams on or off. A silly question perhaps, but could you accidentally be moving the light switch? It works from the back of the stalk as well.

 

[Todgy]

I wouldn't say it's completely random, as you say it happens when you are flicking the high beams on or off. A silly question perhaps, but could you accidentally be moving the light switch? It works from the back of the stalk as well.

back of the stalk 'as well' - as well as what? On all three times it's happened, there has been nothing I could do but pull over, get out of the car and turn it off, then get back in again

 

[ReintjeWA]

back of the stalk 'as well' - as well as what? On all three times it's happened, there has been nothing I could do but pull over, get out of the car and turn it off, then get back in again

As well as the front of the stalk. (The bit you can see).

 

[siteguru]

Agree. On the front of the stalk you can see the lever ... but on the back you can feel the "wheel" that is the back of the lever.

 

[ReintjeWA]

MG4 light switch

Has anyone else accidentally switched off their lights when driving at night? I’ve done it 3 times when dipping the main beam - nightmare. The switch is far too accessible and easily flicked for something so critical. I’m going to have to put tape on it to stop it happening. It’s a recipe...

www.mgevs.com

There are some messages here that talk about the same issue I suspect you are facing.

 

[MuzGB1970]

This happened to me a few times when I first had the car, totally my fault from flicking the stalk too low down and accidentally moving the wheel on the back. I now only touch the stalk near the end and have not had the issue again. You could always put some tape over the back of the stalk to stop the wheel from accidentally being moved, but this will also prevent you from adjusting the lights when you want to. It's not a great design from MG but you quickly learn to adjust your action to compensate.

 

[DixieTGS]

Having the ability to turn the lights from auto to off while driving always seemed like a bug to me (should only be allowed while stationary). But I suspect they put that function in there simply for the situation where auto won't work properly, such as if the light sensor gets dirty. Making it a long press while moving would keep everyone happy I think.

 

[Koomi]

Not had the lights turn off, apart from as people say above, accidently flicking the light wheel to toggle to off - sounds like this isn't what you are experiencing, but maybe worth trying when safe at low speed to see if it replicates it.

I do agree with the driver side kick down comment though.
In the sticks with no external lighting on low beam, the driver side is noticeably shorter/lower than than the kerb side.
When full beam is on, that same "lower on the right" area is still present as a shadow in the full beam pattern. It's like the full beam lights up above the dipped area... but does not fill the anti-dazzle step down that is in place.

 

[John1941]

Given up auto. When it responds and changes lights, Lane assist gets re-enabled.

 

[jakeellis01]

Watch this video especially at 0:38

 

[Rolfe]

I did it again this week, despite knowing how easy it is to turn the lights off accidentally, and having a way of working the high beam to avoid doing it. But at least I now know what to do instantly to get them back on again.

 

[phil99]

I turned off the lights a few times before working out what was going on and changing my grip on the stalk. It’s not quite brown-trousers time when it happens but it’s close.

It’s a pretty terrible bit of design. It shouldn’t be possible to accidentally turn the lights off, but here we are. Thanks MG.

 

[Todgy]

Belated thanks all for the comments. Indeed I did not realise that button was there, in haste on flicking the high beams on/off, I obviously pulled that over to 'off'.

 

[MuzGB1970]

Since my reply, I have found that you can also push the stalk forward to switch back to low beams, which makes this error much less likely. Basically, just push the stalk to toggle, don't pull it.