Hi to all, my first post so hello to everyone. I have just bought a 2019 Q5 tdi 40 quattro and to be truthful I'm smitten with it. My (only) problem thus far is the door (courtesy) lights don't work, they all work when I push the "lights on " button but not when I push the "door open " button, neither back or front lights work, been through the mmi settings and spent all day today (Saturday  30th) tring to get them working but to no avail. Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received and thanks in advance to all who read this 

Thank you 

Welcome Monty, 

I believe the courtesy lights are controlled by the door latch/latches. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks for that Gareth, mich appreciated,  I'll have a look tomorrow. 

Update on Q5 door lights not working...... just got in off nights,when I unlocked car to go home...... HEY PRESTO  !!, the interior lights come on.  They're Light Sensitive...... doesn't say anything in the owners manual, who cares now , problem solved . Thanks to all who read this.

Hello Monty,

When you say they are ‘Light Sensitive’ , where did that information come from? 

The door open light function usually has control button on roof near the mirror.

59 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Monty,

When you say they are ‘Light Sensitive’ , where did that information come from? 

Hi Gareth, in relation to the information received,  I'm only assuming they're  light sensitive due to the courtesy lights only coming on when it's dark. That's the only explanation I can come up with. They don't come on in the daytime 🤔

 

Thanks Monty,

So at the moment it’s ‘ sensible assumption’, logic rather than an intermittent fault logic.

Could you kindly keep us posted on whether this logic proves correct over the next few days -?

Regards,

Gareth. 

3 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Thanks Monty,

So at the moment it’s ‘ sensible assumption’, logic rather than an intermittent fault logic.

Could you kindly keep us posted on whether this logic proves correct over the next few days -?

Regards,

Gareth. 

I certainly will , due to the fact I can't find any information on any sites , manuals, forums etc that mentions  this happening. I'm  puzzled by it to say the least. Watch this Space......... 

Intermittent issues with door lock associated problems are not rare.

 

Any other c 2019 Q 5 owners who can post their views?

3 hours ago, spartacus 68 said:

The door open light function usually has control button on roof near the mirror.

Hi Spartacus,  with only having the car 5 days  and the "door open " symbol on it, this was my logical assumption  of which has been on (illuminated) all the time but no door lights. With not being out in the car in the dark, I wouldn't have known that they're  (hopefully.... and not an intermittent fault) light sensitive.  

If you believe, or merely suspect, a fault take it back to the dealer for free rectification. An interior light may be a minor problem but if it leads to a flat battery it will become a much bigger problem.

Hello Monty,

So you now giving us fresh information - unless I missed it previously. 
So the display is showing ‘door open’ when it isn’t. In that case, you would expect the courtesy lights to be on all the time-? 
Mine indicates which door is open - does yours? 
I’m more inclined to believe the issue rests with a door latch problem, but your super theory that they are light sensitive because they worked once in the dark, maybe a clue to fractured wire/s in the flexible harness section twixt door post and door frame. 
I’m very much with Cliff - the seller needs to fix it - so please don’t attempt any DIY, otherwise they will quite likely claim you have been fiddling with it. 
Regards,

Gareth.

See, I was reading that as the manual override switch was on the "door open" setting rather than a door open warning being illuminated on the dash.

If the switch is on the door open setting, and the lights don't come on in daylight but do when it's dark without anything else being changed, then I would also come to the conclusion that they are dependant on the ambient light level being dark enough.

I believe the puddle lamps in the wing mirrors are light sensitive so I don't see why the interior lamps couldn't be

2 hours ago, Mark M. said:

I believe the puddle lamps in the wing mirrors are light sensitive so I don't see why the interior lamps 

Hi Mark M , appreciate the input on this, and I am in agreement with you because I have just been outside ( in the dark ) and opened the car.... all interior lights come on and door handle lights, the full lot, but they didn't come on in daylight.  Magnet and Cliff both commented on an intermittent fault of which I was open minded to but the " ambient light" scenario is proving its worth...... at the moment, again...... watch this space 🤔

Not sure if it uses it, but the rain/light sensor for the auto headlights is behind the interior mirror and can be seen from outside the car.

Just wondering if covering that sensor in the daytime would make make the car think it's night and activate the interior lights, remove the cover and if the lights go off you have your answer.

On 8/31/2025 at 8:57 PM, Mark M. said:

Not sure if it uses it, but the rain/light sensor for the auto headlights is behind the interior mirror and can be seen from outside the car.

Just wondering if covering that sensor in the daytime would make make the car think it's night and activate the interior lights, remove the cover and if the lights go off you have your answer.

Hi  all, an update to, what I thought was an interior light issue..... but alas there isn't a fault as I first thought. As Mark M suggested in his post above in relation to the rain/headlight sensor on the front windscreen.  He was "bang on" in his logic. No mention in any manual, site , forum etc has there been a mention of such a topic of interior lights connected to the ambient side of things. Thanks to all for replying, much appreciated 👏 👊

Glad to hear it's all sorted 👍