Greetings everyone! This is my first post here, so please bear with me. I have read the threads regarding DRL and Autolamps, but I've still got a couple questions.

In my Ford Truck accessory catalog I've noticed 2 kits, one for DRL and another for Autolamp + DRL. I've read that the DRL kit causes you to turn the wiring into "frankenstein", which isn't something I want. Does anyone here have experience with the Autolamp + DRL kit? Is that the one that replaces the headlight switch? Unfortunately I don't have a base part # in front of me right now though.

I'm gonna like this place I think!

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2000 F-150 XLT, Styleside, White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, P265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

 

Hi! Autolamp was a small part of the Lariat package. I ended up turning mine off, and keeping it off. I park in a garage, and during the day, when I start it up, the lights would go on, because the garage was dark enough at the front end. Then when I backed out, it would get more light and turn off. When I'd pull into the garage during the day, they would turn on. All the on and off all the time bugged me, so I turned it off. If you don't usually park in a garage, or park up to a dark wall outside, no problem then!

 

Well after a friendly chat with a fella at one of the local dealers he told me that the $64 kit (Autolamp + DRL) is essentially a drop-in replacement for the headlamp switch and no wire cutting is required.

Needless to say I ordered it, so now I play the waiting game! Thanks.

 

Autolamp at the least would require you to replace the switch & add a light sensor into the dash.

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quzax@my-f150.com
My-F150.com & My-F250.com (coming soon)
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On Order (4-12-00):
:: MM F-150 XLT SC SS 4x4 SB ORP 3.55LS 5.4L :: Deep Wedgewood Blue / Silver / Dark Graphite :: Cab Steps :: Elec. 4x4 :: Keyless :: 6-disc :: Power Seat :: Capt. Chairs :: Soft Tonneau :: Slider :: Tow pkg. :: Splash Guards :: Hood Deflector ::

 

Damnit! I got the autolamp kit about a week ago and the kit looked more like a science experiment than an autolamp kit. It was a generic POS kit. There were some 11 wires to connect, turning my wiring into Frankenstein. Needless to say, back to the dealer it went.

I'm a little angry since the hit isn't what they told me it would be. I've heard from a few sournces that a new headlamp switch and sensor (aka amplifier) is needed.

Anyone confirm that by ordering the headlamp switch and sensor I can get it to work?

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2000 F-150 XLT, Styleside, White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner

 

Y2K Off Road

How did you make out adding the autolamps? I wanted to do the same on my 2000 Expedition.

Ken

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2000 Expedition XLT / Sport

 

I didn't, yet... I'm still trying to get my facts right before I go ordering the parts. I am however waiting for a call from a local dealers parts department. He was going to do the research and call me back. Now that I think about it, he was supposed to call a week ago. I'll give him a call tomorrow and post the results.

You might be able to help me on another post, is your power mirror control back light? I know some Explorers have them, and the chiltons wiring schematic shows it, but how about the Expy's. I think it would be cool to have the switch backlight. Thanks.

 

My truck is getting serviced today. I had a leak that I think affected the headlight switch and it may need replacement. (moonroof drains were clogged and water came down the A-pillar) I asked if they could add the autolamps, and I'll pay the difference, but they didn't know how easy and what parts were needed. I'll let you know.

About the power mirror control, I dont remember it lighting up, but I'll have to check tonite.

Ken

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2000 Expedition XLT / Sport

 

Greetings!

Trust me on this one .... the autolmap "function" on these F-150's is junk. It does work nicely, however, on my dad's Eddie Bauer Explorer and my mom's Mercury Grand Marquis. Guess the F150 folks got the reject systems installed. Let me elaborate:

A. There is no way (that I can figure out anyways) to select the level of darkness at which the lights come on. You are forced to use the factory programming.

B. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't (even in similar lighting situations).

C. Most annoying part: the autolamp system is supposed to leave the interior lights on for a period of time after you enter the truck and close the door so that you can see what your doing. On my truck, this works maybe once out of 50 times. Usually, the lights go out after the door is closed, and I have to manually put the interior lights on.

I have heard others with the same problem as well..


My .02 cents....



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2000 4X4 Lariat SuperCab
5.4 Triton
Two-tone black on silver
All options except LS differential

MODS so far:

-Westin step bars (powder coated matte black)
-Lund bug shield
-Gentex electrochromatic rear view mirror
-Cabin filtration kit
-Superchip
-Stull Billet Grill
-Flowmaster Force II catback (series 50 SUV with duals out the rear)
-Line-X bedliner

MODS to come:

-K&N or AirAid FIPK kit
-Mickey Thompson Challenger 16" wheels with 295/75 BFG AT KO's
-4.10 gears (still thinking about this one ...anyone have any input?)
-LS diff or locker of some sort once they are available..
-A.R.E. LSII or Ford HarleyDavidson tonneau cover

1995 Eddie Bauer Bronco
1988 Mustang GT

 

TSSCS: Which system do you have in your F-150?? Stock, or the aftermarket Ford kit? I am hopeful that it will work better than yours, but now you've got me wondering! Perhaps I'll invest in signal mirrors and the backlight mirror switch first!

Thanks for the tip!

 

Y2K

Bad news on both accounts. After getting my truck from Ford service, they did have to replace the headlight switch. Technicians checked on my autolamp request. No go. There is a wiring harness that was missing, the GEM module is different, and then there's the issue of the sensor. SO, back to the drawing board for me, I'm still not convinced it cant be done.

Also, my power mirror control is NOT backlit.

Ken