Hey all,

I got an 03 screw in September, and one of the things I didnt get, which I didnt think I need, but wouldnt mind it now is the autolamp feature. Is this something that would be as easy as getting the new controller, and purchasing a sensor?

Has anyone ever done it, or what would the difficulty be...


Thanks,
Cliffy..

 

Yep... you can do it.

Adding Autolamps


RP

 

I had the dealership add this to my 03 screw. The parts were about $80 and they charged me $140 for the install. It works fine. The only two complaints I have are that after you start the truck it takes 3-5 for your lights to come on and the photo sensor (the only thing you can see) is kind of ugly. Ford could have done a much better job in developing this. The auto lamp accesory also comes with the day time running light option (headlights about 75% brightness), which I had them turn on when they installed it. It has an adjustable delay when you get out of the truck at night to leave the lights on for a period of time. Mine's set for about 30-45 seconds.

 

Autolamp? Another gadget that just isn't needed....so I thought!!!

When i got my 2003, I didn't realize it was on there. I started playing around to get the fog lamps on and read about the autolamp. I was a little stubborn at first, now i don't know what I'll do if my next truck doesn't have it, lol...

 

Thats where I am at.. My last 2 trucks have it, and thought... Well I dont really need it, not something thats going to kill the deal... Now I am annoyed when I have to turn them on.. Boy cars have made us lazy...

Thanks for the help!

 

Actually, you don't have to use the kit you mention to get the Autolamp mod working.

You can buy the factory switch with the Autolamp position (this one also has the fog lamp feature as well) - YL3Z-11654-DAC

AND

The factory light sensor / amplifier assembly - YL3Z-13A018-AA

AND

A new factory dash cover with slots for the light sensor - XL3Z-15046A34-DAA (This one is Dark Graphite in color)

All told, with shipping, these parts were $134.63 from FordPartsOnline. Talk with Bryan - he understood what I was doing and helped me get the right color dash cover, etc. By the way, if you get the switch without the fog lamp control, it is about $20 cheaper...

Install takes all of 5 minutes and they work exactly like factory because they ARE exactly like factory.

Pop the oval cover off your passenger side dash. Mount the light sensor / amplifier on the new oval cover. Looking inside the dash opening, on the left side, towards the rear of the truck, sticky-back taped to the dash itself is a harness / connector. Simply pull it loose from the tape and plug it into the light sensor / amplifier.

Install new dash cover / light sensor assembly.

Pop out old light switch. Replace with new light switch.

Start enjoying Autolamps.

No visible sensors, turn-on delays, etc. Works like original because the parts are the same as original.

Hope this helps...

 

Thanks for the info. Wish I had known this before I spent the money on what the dealership told me was my only option.

 

With this switch YL3Z-11654-DAC do the fog lights only work in the manual light postion all the way to the right and pull out, or will they work on autolamp pulling out the ****?
The light switch on Explorers have the fog lamps working on the autolamps and manual, has anybody tried plugging in this switch?

 

With that light switch, you can only activate the fog lights when in the "On" position.

However, with a sharp knife, some glue, a dremel or file and a few minutes of your time you can modify the switch to work any way you want.

RockPick has a link to an excellent write-up on how to mod the switch. I did it myself with these instructions and it took me about 30 minutes total. As a bonus, the switch still feels (and functions) like "factory".

As far as the Explorer switch, I don't believe it is interchangeable with the F150 switch.

 

I tried looking up that part # for the light sensor amplifier and came up with nothing, is there another part # for the part ? Thanks

 

You have to call them. I don't know why, but I wasn't able to look the part up either. When I called Bryan, he had it...

 

whats the phone # ? the one on the website correct ?

 

I called 800-259-3560 and got through, though they don't appear to have anybody there named Bryan - I talked to Sam and got all the info. The light amplifier price is 28.03 (I didn't ask for the part number). Hope this helps.

 

Thanks

 

How do you remove the light switch/cover assy?
Looks like it pops out but doesn't want to come off. I also can't find the how to article on making the fog lights work on auto lamp.