OK, just thought Id share a little information for folks who may have bought a truck without auto headlights such as an XL or STX model.

2009-2010 Ford F150's (all models) all share pretty much the same electronics wiring, unlike previous years. You can add many features just by adding certain pieces/parts. In this case, all trucks share the same LCM (lighting control module). To add automatic headlights to a truck that did not originally come with them all you have to do is 1.)Change the headlight switch and 2.)add the sentinel ambient light sensor.

The part number for the light sensor is 7L1Z-13A018-A. It is around 12 dollars. The healight switch can be bought on ebay (if you find one) or from the dealer for around 50 dollars or less. You need the one that includes the auto lamp position and foglights if you have them. I do not have the part number but the engineering # is 9L3T-13D061-CD. The dealer can look it up.

All you do is plug in the new headlight switch (the old one pops out with a screwdriver) and then plug in the sentinel sensor (its located by the tray on top of the dash). There will be a plastic plug there now. The wires are sitting under the plastic plug. Takes about 5 minutes total being careful.

That is it. Automatic headlamps!!! You can probably set the duration and stuff too, but you'd have to check the owners manual to see how.

 

I already have automatic headlamps, but that's pretty cool that you can change something like that with such a simple mod.

 

thats a sweet deal I always wondered about that kind of stuff, what about the cruise control anyone know if that one is prewired just needs a new steering wheel with the buttons and a sensor or something?

 

Partially true. Since the trucks are drive by wire, the only cruise component you have to install is the steering wheel. The hard part is that you need to have it all "turned on" by the dealer via computer. That will probably cost you some $$$ because the dealer charges way to much for nothing as always.

 

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Already have the auto lamps... but, what I'd like to figure out is how to program them to be daytime running lamps.

We've got a state law here that requires headlights when you run your windshield wipers. The theory is obviously, if it's raining hard enough to use the wipers, then the visibility is probalby such that headlights are a good idea.

Now, that logic can be debated... but, the point here is that, last week, it was raining pretty good here with a good amount of cloud cover. While it wasn't "night-time" dark, it was pretty gloomy. However, it was not dark enough to activate my headlights. I found out this little tidbit when I pulled up alongside a highway patrol officer at a stoplight... and after rolling my window down, he asked me to turn my lights on.

I was so used to the auto-lamps that I hadn't even thought about it.

 

If you want daytime running lights all you have to do is unplug the sentinel light sensor on the dash. It defaults to turn the lights on. The headlamp switch will just have to be in the auto position for this to work. If you want to override the DRL just turn the switch to off. But as long as its in the auto position and the sensor is unplugged the headlights will follow the ignition.

 

So if I understand correctly, if I want to disable the DRL I would just unplug the light sensor?
Would this disable the auto dash lights?

What I would really like is the fogs to be the DRL and allow manual operation of the parking lights and headlights.

On my 04 there was a plug behind the grill that I unplugged which disabled the DRL's but still allowed manual operation. Guess this has been replaced by the light sensor?

Any ideas?

 

No, I didnt say that. He was saying he wanted to add DRL lights. I have no idea how you would disable them on your truck. I really doubt they have anything to do with the light sensor except that it is all part of the LCM brain. I have no experience with them as in the US Fords dont have DRL like in Canada.

 

2009 I know for sure, can have DRL's enabled by any dealership. There is a built in option to have them turned on when the vehicle's shifter is in any position other than P.

My truck was in to have the TBC activated, he let me play with the comptuer. That was an option.

Obviously you would not want this enabled if you frequently make stops and have HID lighting installed. ( which no one should- i dont want to start anything )

I have sylvania ultrastars installed . 1 year. no burnt out bulbs . or fogs.

have a good week everyone.

 

Ok so i have a new '10 f150 XL that i swapped the switch and light module on. My headlamps no longer work.


Do i need to have the dealer program that now ?

 

You shouldn't need to do anything. Unless the 2010 is different than the 2009??? I just put in the switch and light sensor and presto. Maybe someone else with a 2010 will chime in.

 

Yeah nevermind. Weird. After several restarts on the truck, they work now. No option to set the delay or anything in the menu but the function works.

Thanks!

 

Read the owners manual. There is a way to set the delay.

 

[QUOTE=ATCguy;3993217]Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Already have the auto lamps... but, what I'd like to figure out is how to program them to be daytime running lamps.

"We've got a state law here that requires headlights when you run your windshield wipers. The theory is obviously, if it's raining hard enough to use the wipers, then the visibility is probalby such that headlights are a good idea."

I thought the auto lamp feature also turns youre lights on when your wipers are on. Some guys that added the new switch to there XL and STX's on another forum said theirs do now. My wifes Escape works like that too. I just added the new switch and sensor to my STX but they gave me a bad switch so I'm waiting on the replacement.

 

04xltsc

Can you put up a link to the 7L1Z-13A018-A part of a picture or where you got it from, cant find it when i google it.

thanks