2010 dash

[murph1]

bit the bullet and purchased a new f150...i really like the power out of the 4.6 3v...seems as though it has more power/torque than my old 99 5.4... my question is ...what is the little square black thing on/in the dash...center of truck...towards the glass has 2 wires connected to it.... any ideas.... and will my daughters ipod work with the radio....i do not have the sync option,but there is a jack in the radio area for an mp3 type player... thanks

[BigJohn767]

Originally Posted by murph1

bit the bullet and purchased a new f150...i really like the power out of the 4.6 3v...seems as though it has more power/torque than my old 99 5.4...

my question is ...what is the little square black thing on/in the dash...center of truck...towards the glass has 2 wires connected to it....

any ideas....
and will my daughters ipod work with the radio....i do not have the sync option,but there is a jack in the radio area for an mp3 type player...

thanks

Could it be the USB port? I don't have one in my 2010. I got the bare XLT but the book shows a USB port next to the MP3 port. You should be able to plug the iPod into the MP3 port from the headphone jack. I have a cheap MP3 player and that's how it works.

[murph1]

no...this is on the top of the dash...directly behind the square "tray" that they put on the dash, mine keeps my hat from sliding around....

I popped it out of the dash and cannot figure out what it is..just 2 wires connected to it..

[JAC4X4]

it's a light sensor....cover it up and watch your instument panel light up.

[berry1234]

Get a line out jack for your iPod. It puts a cleaner and louder signal to than the headphone jack.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...ock-2black.jpg

[murph1]

Originally Posted by JAC4X4

it's a light sensor....cover it up and watch your instument panel light up.

i think that my hat covers it up most of the time...and i really haven't noticed the lights....but i will check that out first thing in the morning....i never really thought about it being something like that..
thanks

i 'll have to look for that line out jack for my daughters i pod...
but i dont think i can handle the Jonas brothers coming thru the radio in the truck...its bad enough already.........
thanks

[BigJohn767]

Originally Posted by berry1234

Get a line out jack for your iPod. It puts a cleaner and louder signal to than the headphone jack.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...ock-2black.jpg

You are right on! Not having an iPod, I didn't know they had a line out. My little cheapy only has an ear phone jack.

[berry1234]

Originally Posted by BigJohn767

You are right on! Not having an iPod, I didn't know they had a line out. My little cheapy only has an ear phone jack.

The volume level is much louder and you don't get as much distortion. I see them on ebay for about $12.

[BigJohn767]

I played with the light sensor by covering it up and found out a couple of things.

1. The sensor allows the dash lights to come on with the light switch in the ON or Automatic position.

2. The dash lights won't come on if the light switch is off.

3. Even with the lights in the ON position, the dash lights won't come on if the sensor thinks it's too light outside.

I want the dash lights on when I turn on the headlights whether it's light outside or not. Do I have to keep the sensor covered up to do this???

[speed4tu]

Originally Posted by BigJohn767

.

I want the dash lights on when I turn on the headlights whether it's light outside or not. Do I have to keep the sensor covered up to do this???

Yes but what is the point? If it is light outside you can see the buttons anyway.

[BigJohn767]

Originally Posted by speed4tu

Yes but what is the point? If it is light outside you can see the buttons anyway.

I find it hard to see the dash gauges when the light is a little dim. I would like to be able to turn the lights on and the dash lights to come on also, like most other cars.

[doug527]

if not mistaken the light switch has two settings, one to turn on and one to turn on using the sensor

[broncobran68]

Originally Posted by doug527

if not mistaken the light switch has two settings, one to turn on and one to turn on using the sensor

Yes you are right. The headlights can be turned on manually or automatically by the ambient light sensor.... But the dash and instrument lights can only be turned on by the sensor, regardless of the headlight switch position. It is like ford is trying to limit the their use to prevent some $.25 bulbs from going out prematurely.

I have found this annoying when it is sort of dark outside, like a rainstorm, but not dark enough for the truck to activate the lights. I feel like I need the headlights on, for safety reasons, and it can be hard to see the gauges. Overall it doesn't bother me that much just once in a while.

[bnk190]

Have the same complaint with the dash lights. Local dealer looked into it and there is no work around. At first they thought I was crazy when I told them this since they felt that the dash lights should be on when the headlights are on but later found that's not the case. In whatever he was looking at Ford even stated it's normal and not to try repairs.

Leads me to wonder if you disconnect the sensor and jumper the wires if they would then bypass the sensor.

I find it annoying in the morning when I'm heading east direct into the sun. Dash is bright but hard to see the speed.

[BigJohn767]

I haven't tried it yet but does the sensor also control the auto headlights? If not, I can put a piece of electricians tape over it. It it does, then I either have to live with it or have the headlights on whenever I have the dash lights on (not really a bad thing.) Any thoughts on this???