Does anyone know if the autolamp system can be setup to turn the headlights on when the truck is running. (day or night)?


Thanks for the help.

 

Headlamps.

No.There is no daytime running lamp feature.

You must do it the old tried and true way.

Turn them on.

Mike

 

My autolamp has a sensitivity adjustment screw.
If the screw was turned to the max it would probably imulate daytime running lights.

Ask your dealer to crank it up next time your in. I have no idea where the screw may be on your truck.

A piece of tape over the light infiltration portal receptical grid screen unit may work as well.

 

Daytime Running Lights are required in Canada and often by Fleet buyers so Ford builds in the capability and then "dumbs it down" in another one of their great marketing decisions.

http://www.users.voicenet.com/~storm/drl/

The above link provides generic info which I hope also applies to '04 F-150s.

I bought the required module from fordaccessories.com for $ 60.

Don't when I will get it installed but it should be simple as I read the instructions on the provided site.

From the manual: The DRL are implemented by using the low beams at a reduced voltage of approximately 80% system voltage. This is accomplished by inserting a DRL resistor in series with the low beam filaments. When the headlamp switch is engaged, the daytime running lamp function is disabled and the low beam filaments receive 100% system voltage.
What it means: The DRL Relay Block enables power to the low beams and the resistor changes the voltage going to the low beams from 12 volts to 10 volts thus making them dimmer. In trucks that do not have DRL a loop-back plug is in place of the Relay Block which provides ground to the Multifunction Switch (Steering Column High/Low/Flash to Pass switch) so the normal low and high beam lights still work.

We shall see.

 

Here is another site on DRLs.

http://www.geocities.com/skyjet1/DRL.html

I added the resistor block and relay in about 20 minutes. Very easy installation.

 

So does anyone know if there is for sure a way to make them more sensitive?

It rained a lot last week around here and I noticed it just doesn't turn my lights on during that. It kinda defeats the point of automatic lights if I have to turn them on myself.

 

I remember reading in another thread that there is an adjustment. It's on the sensor that is accessable under the oval cover. Small pot that you can adjust. You may try a search and see if that thread pops up. I'm just going by memory.

 

You don't want them too sensitive.

Every time you drive under a tree or underpass, the headlights would flash on and off.

 

Any "respectable" auto headlight system should have a delay built in so that doesn't happen, I'm certain Ford thought of that.

Otherwise the reverse and more dangerous situation could occur, if you drive under a street light they'd go off.

 

I don't know about the 04's but the 03's and previous there is a delay. I couldn't tell you what it is for sure, but it's there. I'll have to check sometime. Really just turn your key on, and see how long it takes for them to go off... Also, on the previous years the adjustment was on the sensor which is directly below the little grill in dash, really easy to get to... but again, don't know about the 04's. I would say everything, but accessablity would be the same...

 

Along the lines of the original question, where is the photo-cell on the '04s? On my '01, it was very easy to see through the tiny little slits on the dash. Used to throw a baseball cap over it during the rain to fool it into activating auto-lamps, thus eliminating the need for manual operation during inclement weather. (It'd be nice if they'd follow the simple solution found on a friend's Grand Cherokee. They have auto-lamp with a prompt in their message center - "Lights on with wipers Yes/No.")

 

As far as delay...

When I pull into the garage at work, the lights come on 10 seconds after I enter.