6 minutes ago, unofix said:

I thought that automatic lights was now a requirement ? Or is it like the indicators on a BMW and they are still an option on a Yaris ?

You're the electrical genius, but I think the sensors work on the level of light (as they perceive it) rather than actual visibility as a human sees it.

I've noticed this myself in what I perceive to be poor visibility - fog, rain etc - but my lights don't come on automatically. A couple of VW owning friends have reported the same thing, so it seems general.

We're all of an age where we check, as a matter of course, that our lights are on under conditions of poor visibility, but I suspect some drivers just rely on the technology.

Also of course, back in the day your instruments generally only lit up when your lights were on as a further check, but nowadays instrument screens are illuminated all the time in most cars.

 

 

3 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

but I think the sensors work on the level of light (as they perceive it) rather than actual visibility as a human sees it.

Yes your correct Roger. 👍

It does seem that Ford have (at least on the Focus Mk4) had the sense to link the operation of the windscreen wipers to that of the need to turn on the dipped beam headlights as is now required by UK law. Perhaps other manufacture haven't yet grasped that if the wipers are operating then the headlights have to be on.

6 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

back in the day your instruments generally only lit up when your lights were on as a further check, but nowadays instrument screens are illuminated all the time in most cars.

I think this is absolutely a major contributory factor. And I really can;t see any advantage of this. 

Because I start work at midnight I see too many cars on the road without rear lights showing. Now these cars a effin new. Like 22 and 23 reg cars. I'd expect they have auto lights. If so either the owners have switched them off or the cars actually Don't have auto lights or the owner is a dim wit and hasn't turned the cars lights on. Every day I flash cars to turn their lights on. Its a pet hate. 

Think I'll look into becoming a police patrol officer. Boy oh boy I'll book hundreds each week 🤣🤣🤣

Your 12 V Battery problems are most likely related to Battery Management System.

You need the latest version of the battery management sensor (.CC at the end of the Number). You find the sensor on top of your battery (litle Black box at the end of a cable). Also the software need the latest update!

Yust ask your FORD dealer or garage to check the sensor and the software! 

 

 

That's how the BatteryManagementSensor looks like:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/185549431142?srsltid=AfmBOoolAjUeBHLo78TXev6u15H8cBWTV9fjUYfZFOet26e1tyDDLzcp

BUT dont buy one, with cb at the end!

 

CC ist needed and the softwareupdates.

Only Ford dealer are able to solve the problems, as far as I know.  

My Posts are related to the Main question

“I've read about the batteries having known drain issues and going into deep sleep mode, and being a headache overall (need to manually charge them regularly, etc). Could this be related?"