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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 10:24 PM
  #1  
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davelim
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Instrument Panel lighting

Hello,
I noticed that my instrument panel (speedometer, etc) is connected somehow to an automatic light sensing computer. I can't turn it on when I choose. It will automatically light up when it "senses the environment" is dark. I was driving today in the rain and the panel light was on for a while, then turned off for a while, then turned on again. I noticed the outdoor lighting had something to do with it. Has anyone been able to manually turn on the instrument panel? You would have to test this on a cloudy day, not at night because it will just turn on.
Dave
2010 XLT SuperC
 
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 06:13 AM
  #2  
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shotgunz
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Cover the little black bump in the top center of your dash - it's an ambient light sensor and controls the dash lights. There is no way to turn them on using a switch.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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ok, thanks .. i'll check it out
 
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 08:13 PM
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this ambient sensor is the #1 thing I hate about my truck. It really pisses me off that I can not manually turn on my dash lights when I want them on. I don't think I should have to put a piece of tape or cover up the sensor on a brand new truck. This is the only vehicle I know of that you can not manually turn on the lights...
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 11:37 AM
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Turn the dimmer **** all the way to the right (or left, I forget which) until it clicks. Doesn't that turn on the dash and dome lights?
 
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Old Jan 21, 2010 | 07:43 PM
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that just turns on the dome lights
 
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Old Jan 22, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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The more I read about the "big brother" qualities of these new Ford trucks, the longer I'll keep what I have.
 
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Old Jan 30, 2010 | 06:33 PM
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Does the little black bump just control the dash lights or, with the auto headlights on, does it control them also. No problem to turn the headlights off, but if I don't have to I would rather not. The auto headlight also needs to be manually controlled during daytime showers - but there's a switch for that!
Thanks.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 04:27 PM
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This is really pissing me off too on my 2010. It was snowing today here in Atlanta, but just bright enough to where the auto lights would not come on, but dark enough to where I would have liked to turn the dash lights on.

Why even have the dimmer wheel if the dash lights only come on at night? This is ridiculous!
 
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 05:56 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by johnmsch
This is really pissing me off too on my 2010. It was snowing today here in Atlanta, but just bright enough to where the auto lights would not come on, but dark enough to where I would have liked to turn the dash lights on.

Why even have the dimmer wheel if the dash lights only come on at night? This is ridiculous!

I had to deal with the same thing today. Only time everything came on was when I would go underneath a bridge or overpass. I don't have that problem with my 2006.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2010 | 03:02 PM
  #11  
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I noticed the same thing, I wish there was a way to change the sensitivity of the auto light sensor. When the ambient light is dim, the system wants to turn on and off alot. I usually switch the headlights from auto to on so at least people don't think I'm flashing my lights at them!
 
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Old Mar 7, 2010 | 06:37 PM
  #12  
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Just turn your head light switch to either park lights or head lights and the dash lights will come on with them.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2010 | 06:38 PM
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No they won't.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2010 | 08:14 PM
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yeah that is irritating. I noticed that when i first drove mine off the lot. I thought something was broke. I dont care for that either
 
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Old Mar 8, 2010 | 06:46 PM
  #15  
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Ford won't have to worry about selling me a new vehicle if the GEM or PCM has more control than I would have over mundane tasks such lights. I'll probably just start looking now for a mid 90's to restore for my next truck.
 
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