sorry for the stupid question.
auto lamp sensor
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 47,280
Likes: 172
From: DELAWARE, The First State
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
From my factory manual
It would appear that only two of the wires are used.
The black/Lt. Blue wire goes to ground.
The White/ Violet wire is from pin 10 on the Vehicle Security Module.
[IMG]<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LGzNoF0fXP0SjcA6e9DLl8NTP9LQZq-iOG7sX2ayCO4?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3V5El6Db5vc/TpygzHDDnDI/AAAAAAAAAJA/O8cfPblE-HA/s800/sunsensor.jpg" height="800" width="618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117171650564817422104/Documents?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMfEnpKEj-DjGQ&feat=embedwebsite">Documents</a></td></tr></table>[/IMG]
It would appear that only two of the wires are used.
The black/Lt. Blue wire goes to ground.
The White/ Violet wire is from pin 10 on the Vehicle Security Module.
[IMG]<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LGzNoF0fXP0SjcA6e9DLl8NTP9LQZq-iOG7sX2ayCO4?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3V5El6Db5vc/TpygzHDDnDI/AAAAAAAAAJA/O8cfPblE-HA/s800/sunsensor.jpg" height="800" width="618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117171650564817422104/Documents?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMfEnpKEj-DjGQ&feat=embedwebsite">Documents</a></td></tr></table>[/IMG]
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
This is the connector diagram for that F-150 sensor. Pin 2 and 5 are the ones shown in the electrical diagram. Pin 3 is power, presumably for whatever the on-board circuitry is, and pin 4 is for the anti-theft light.
I'm curious about pin 1 though. Sunload sensor signal. I would wonder what the outputs (or resistance) would be on that pin and ground when in and out of the sun.
I'm curious about pin 1 though. Sunload sensor signal. I would wonder what the outputs (or resistance) would be on that pin and ground when in and out of the sun.
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: Belleville IL
What am I missing...besides "the point".
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 2
From: Henrico, VA
There is something I am curious about and maybe its just my truck being an 06 but when I want autolamps I had to have the sensor and turn the dial to the left one click from top center to put it on auto. So that the lights will turn on when it gets dark are you also changing out the switch or is that already on your 350 dial?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: 1000k oaks or SanFernando
I am going to alter my switch. I believe the sensor regulates the on and off function, so if I run the hot wires from my harness to the sensor and, from sensor back to the switch when I have the switch in the on position during the day the lights will be off but at night they should turn on when the sensor get the signal. Does that make sense?
The issue I am having is understanding how the sensor works. I got the stupid red light to work but, I couldn't get any ohm readings from it being in sun or not in sun.
edit: actually you got me thinking I'm going to connect #1 and #3 together ground #5 and connect #2 to a light bulb when I get home....
The issue I am having is understanding how the sensor works. I got the stupid red light to work but, I couldn't get any ohm readings from it being in sun or not in sun.
edit: actually you got me thinking I'm going to connect #1 and #3 together ground #5 and connect #2 to a light bulb when I get home....
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
That's not how auto lamps work. The Vehicle Security Module (VSM) on the F250, or the Body Security Module (BSM) on the F-150 interpret the signals from the sun load sensor and activate a relay that turns on the headlights.
After looking at the differences between the two sensors, I do not think they are interchangeable. Also, I do not know if a truck without autolamps would have the headlight circuits in place, and if they did, the VSM would still have to be programmed to make it function.
After looking at the differences between the two sensors, I do not think they are interchangeable. Also, I do not know if a truck without autolamps would have the headlight circuits in place, and if they did, the VSM would still have to be programmed to make it function.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I have the power locks and windows on my '07 F150 XL with keyless entry from the factory and see this little sensor with LEDs in it. Any idea if I just need the correct switch to make this work?
Thanks for any help,
Lee
Thanks for any help,
Lee
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, SC
I don't think it will work. I tried many different ways to get autolamps in my 2001 F250, and never could get any ford harnesses to inner change. It was a long time ago, but if I'm not mistaken I tried that little sensor you have in your pic and could only get the red led inside of it to light.
I do know that you will need a switch from either an 04 or newer superduty to make it work. Everyone I talked to about it when I was trying to do it said that I would need a new switch.
Needless to say, I eventually gave up.
Now like I said, this was 4+ years ago so my memory maybe a little foggy but I do remember some points of my investigation into getting autolamps on my super duty truck.
I do know that you will need a switch from either an 04 or newer superduty to make it work. Everyone I talked to about it when I was trying to do it said that I would need a new switch.
Needless to say, I eventually gave up.
Now like I said, this was 4+ years ago so my memory maybe a little foggy but I do remember some points of my investigation into getting autolamps on my super duty truck.
New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
confused
At the end did you guys maked work the auto lamps because I'm in the same procedure i hav a 08 XL and i brought a new daylight sensor a new switch with the auto lamps option and the original wire harnes looks like is ready for it but for some kind of reason it doesn't work... So i am really interested to know if you guys maked work...