I could have sworn that, somewhere here on these boards, I read that someone had the auto-lamp sensitivity ( the darkness level the headlights turn themselves on) adjusted by their dealer. My dealer said there is no adjustment for this -- after they called the dealer "hotline" for help. If anyones knows anything about this, please reply. Thanks ALL -- happy holidays as well !!

 

There is a little adjustment screw on the light amplifier under the dash. The screw is yellow. The necessary turning info is printed on the amplifier also. Just pry up the plastic cover on the dash and the amplifier is under there... grey box.

 

PW1981, Did the dealer adjust yours, or did you do it? This is wild cause my dealer said they called ford , and they told them there is no adjustment! I would prefer they do the adjusting, cause that way if something gets screwed up, -- they have themselves to blame. My 2002 has only 5500 miles on it. Is the panel the large oval shaped one on top of the dash? Thanks again!

 

There may be an honest disconnect here.

My dealer adjusted at what level of light the headlights would come on my 1999, as they didn't come on until it too dark to drive making the option worthless.

I also have a wheel on my dash to adjust how long they stay on after you shutdown. It is just like the dash light dimmer wheel. Lowest position is for 20 seconds, cranked all the way up is 3 minutes. I understand that in later year models this adjustment feature was discontinued. Could this be what Ford was talking about?

 

There used to be an adjustment screw on the autolamp sensor itself (mounted on the dash) - it is very fragile and if turned too far will break.

However, it is my understanding the newer models (not sure if it started with '02 or '03 models) have a new sensor and are no longer adjustable.

 

Thanks for the info Buschman.
As my truck gets older and older, there are fewer and fewer truths.

When the 04's arrive we'll all be babes in the woods.

 

The time option was gone for the 2000 model. The light sensor/autolamp module can be adjusted, but we have been told by ford not to mess with it. Its basically a adjustment that the vendor that manufactures the module builds in to set them for different variences off the assy line. As far as ford knows, or cares, they arent made to be adjusted. Maybe the vendor told ford not to adjust them???

 

I did it... when I installed the Autolamp option that the dealer told me couldn't be installed. I did this after I installed the keypad on the door that the dealer told me couldn't be installed. I think you see where I am going here...

Dealers are not trained to think outside the box. The manual says it can't so they don't take the time to look at it.

Yes, you have the right panel (the panel has slots cut in it for the sensor). Get a PLASTIC puddy knife to pry up with or just use your fingers. The box is attached to the cover. The adjustment screw is yellow. If I remember correctly. 1/16 of a turn Counter Clockwise means that the lights come on 15 minutes earlier. Thus, 1/16 of a turn clockwise means 15 minutes later. But, that is molded onto the side of the box.

As far as screwing it up, the amplifier module costs less than $21.00.... cheaper than the shop time a dealer would charge, but there is little chance of doing anything wrong. Just make sure you mark the starting position somehow!