Guys...regarding the lights coming on with the wipers. I'm sure this a programmable feature of the computer (just like DRLs) depending on the different regional laws of where these trucks are sold.

Greg

 

could be... it is a Virginia state law that you must use your headlights during inclement weather, or whenever you use your windshield wipers.

 

I had near 10,000 miles on mine before I noticed the headlights came on when wipers on.I was setting behind a trailer at a stop light and saw my headlights on the back of the trailer.I was on delay wipers.I wish there was a small dash light that comes on when the headlights are on.Toyota has a little green light close to the high beam indicator to show headlights are on.Maybe ford will do this.In day time I always wonder if my headlights are on since the dash lights are not on.

 

I wonder if you put window tinting over the headlight sensor if maybe the dash lights may come on sooner.I don't know if one sensor controls headlights and dashlights or there is there two under that bubble.It would be nice to just darken the dashlight sensor a little if there were two.

 

Just dry a black white board marker over the sensor. At least ya can whipe it off if it dont work.

 

I checked today, and luckily my headlights do NOT come on when the wipers are activated.

 

i actually created an account here to ask about this...i just bought a 2010 F150 last week and it was raining today so i turned my headlights on, and no dash lights. it was driving me nuts, i could barely see the dials. where is the light sensor for this so i can try to cover it up? i love everything about the truck but this is a REALLY bad design choice.

 

little cube on the dash at bottom center of inside windshield..........

 

I wonder if these guys are leaving there lights in automatic mode, Mine wont come on when the wipers are running.

 

It has nothing to do with the wipers. There are two sensors, one for the headlights and one for the dash lights. They are not set to the same sensitivy. The only way to make them come on is to cover the sensor, or put something tinted over it. But this will also make the lights come on as well. I have noticed this happens more during the daytime hours when it is darker than normal, like just before or after a rain storm. At night they will always come on.

 

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I have a thought on this...

Since the cluster is a light background during the day, if the dash lights come on, the dark numbering won't be as dark and the contrast won't be as great. So, in the light of day, Ford must have figured its best to have the dash lights off so the contrast is much better.

Just thinking out loud.

 

I have the same concern, not a biggie. But I would like to be able to see the dash a little better with my tired old eyes. It seems that all of the lights come on automatically except the dash lights. This truck has great interior lighting, especially the dash lights. I just wish I could turn them on manually. By the way, where is the sensor? I would love to cover it and see if that fixes this problem.

Bob

 

Bob, the sensor is on top of the dash right in front of the recessed tray. It's the little black plastic thingy.

 

Not only are the gauge lights too small they are overshadowed by being so far back under the overhang! Add to the problem of not being able to turn them on during the day and I wonder why Ford let this get by. When they are on I love the colors and brightness. My F150 standard cab with some room for storage behind the seats is perfect for me. It seems the passenger seat or something rattles over bumps. anyone have that problem?

 

Yeah - this thing with the dash lights not coming on during the day is kind of ridiculous.

I covered my sensor on the dash for a while with a piece of electrical tape - worked fine - dash lights always came on with the headlights.

And I hate the auto headlight function - as some other have stated I live in a heavily forested area with the tree canopy - almost always need to have your headlights on if the skies aren't perfectly clear. The auto lights will not turn them on for this.

The only thing I didn't like about have the sensor covered - is when you use the remote fob to unlock the doors the headlights come on.