94 Ford explorer head lights come on when starting

[altron305]

When I start the engine the head lights come on. The headlamp switch is in off position, and when you turn the switch on and off again they stay on? Weird!! So to insure none of these are related I want to share that I had a problem with a door jam switch not working, and interior lights would not turn off, I removed all interior light bulbs until I got a replacement switch. Then about a week ago, the seat belt warning (audible alarm) stayed on even though seat belts worn. I removed the sm black box under dash and this stopped the alarm.
Now, last night when my son tried to start the car it would not start. It clicked a little and the headlights turned on? I found a loose battery terminal on positive side of battery and tighten it. The car started up then and then again today it started ok. Tonight I replaced the door jam switch, which fixed the interior light problem, but the headlights still come on when the key is turned to the start position and then stays on. I'm afraid something else maybe causing this and lead to other problems down the road

 

[RedneckRambo]

When I start the engine the head lights come on. The headlamp switch is in off position, and when you turn the switch on and off again they stay on? Weird!! So to insure none of these are related I want to share that I had a problem with a door jam switch not working, and interior lights would not turn off, I removed all interior light bulbs until I got a replacement switch. Then about a week ago, the seat belt warning (audible alarm) stayed on even though seat belts worn. I removed the sm black box under dash and this stopped the alarm.
Now, last night when my son tried to start the car it would not start. It clicked a little and the headlights turned on? I found a loose battery terminal on positive side of battery and tighten it. The car started up then and then again today it started ok. Tonight I replaced the door jam switch, which fixed the interior light problem, but the headlights still come on when the key is turned to the start position and then stays on. I'm afraid something else maybe causing this and lead to other problems down the road

my friends grandpa rigged up his headlights to come on when he starts his jeep. but he put in a switch under the hood that runs off a vacuum line.

 

[BrianDye]

You might have DRL (Daytime Running Lights) where theyre ON and they stay ON no matter what....95's introduced the on/off feature and automatic lights lol.

Is it a limited?

 

[deamon3]

They don't have DRL on first gens.

 

[BrianDye]

Yea some did on the 94's.

 

[Currency]

Yea some did on the 94's.

My 94 XLT has a button on the far right of the rear view mirror that only says ON. Push it and it will turn the head lights on but only when it's getting dark outside. Push it again and they will go off. I use it because I got use to not having to turn my lights on when I drove my 97 grand prix.

I believe it's one of the nicest features in my explorer, Yeah the lumber support thing is nice and the power front seats but that little head light button is awesome. Also with the power seats I can take the tire lug tool and put the pointy end on the brake, move my seat forward and check my brake lights to see if any are out

Woot! I love it.

 

[deamon3]

Ah yes because it's a terrible strain to have to lift your arm and pull that switch for the headlights. Not to mention how easy it is to drive at night while forgetting to turn on the headlights. Everybody at some point has gone hours driving at night not realizing the headlights are not on. So I agree a great useful feature.

 

[altron305]

Your right! I totally forgot about the buttons on the mirror.

 

[BrianDye]

Glad to see Deamon is a wee bit sarcastic.
I fully agree with you Currency, my 95 has it, and its a VERY nice feature

 

[geoph1986]

FWIW, my '94 xlt has DRL's.

 

[deamon3]

You guys want to know whats even worse?

MIne has them too. My rearview mirror has been broken off ever since I bought my X. But I now remember it has the buttons for the DRL.

 

[Currency]

You guys want to know whats even worse?

MIne has them too. My rearview mirror has been broken off ever since I bought my X. But I now remember it has the buttons for the DRL.

That would suck. I'm sure it would be an expensive replace from ford. Maybe you'll find one in a junk yard.

I took a snap shot of my rear view mirror today for those who don't have this feature.

From left to right, Auto rear view mirror dimmer, 2nd button dims the mirror until you push it again. The delay for the headlights, delays how long they stay on after you shut the explorer off. Last but not least is the button for the headlights. Mine only come on at night time with the button pressed. Also the delay times on the short end seems to be five minutes, long delay seems about seven minutes. I leave mine on the short delay because I park in a well lighted parking lot across the street from my house.

 

[deamon3]

That would suck. I'm sure it would be an expensive replace from ford. Maybe you'll find one in a junk yard.

I still had the mirror , but can't find it now. I check ebay and there only 30$.