2 questions about my new 2005 EXP XLT

[Chirp]

Hi...

Just got my first Explorer this week. Still figuring everything out. Have skimmed the manual but haven't been able to figure a couple things out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. What's the red light flashing when the engine is off? It's right at the bottom of the windshield in the center. Right where the back of the hood just overlaps the bottom of the windshield. Is this something factory or could it be aftermarket?

2. What's the black electrical wire that runs along the mounting bracket for the rearview mirror?

I apologize if this stuff is easily findable in the book but I haven't had time to study it in depth yet.

Thank You Very Much!

 

[Donner]

Welcome! I understand the light is both to show the factory alarm is present; and that is the location of the Dusk Sensor, if so equipped.

 

[03exploder]

That red flashing light is part of Ford's security system. It lets you know its working or the would be thieves that the vehicle is so equipped with said system. Your key has a security chip in it. If that chip goes bad and the light is flashing the vehicle wont start. I have seen the opposite happen as well. If the lights not flashing the system will not recognize your key and will not start. I this case the security part of the ignition switch will need to be replaced. I agree that the wire to the mirror is probably for the auto dimming mirror.

 

[shadowless127]

light is security system; wire if for the auto headlamps

 

[rc-gua]

The wire in the rearview mirror is from the compass sensor (the little black box behind the mirror), your heading is shown in the Message Center.

 

[shadowless127]

The wire in the rearview mirror is from the compass sensor (the little black box behind the mirror), your heading is shown in the Message Center.

actually i think we are all right; i believe that wire houses power for the auto dim, dusk sensor and compass.

 

[Donner]

Not the dusk sensor... take out the radio, and have a look back there. But what's good is if you want DRL, all you have to do is keep the sensor covered

 

[chris's2005]

I know that 05's i think have wet up for sat radio so it may be an attena of some sort

 

[BWilliams]

actually i think we are all right; i believe that wire houses power for the auto dim, dusk sensor and compass.

Donner was correct -- the photosensor on the mirror is ONLY for the mirror's auto-dim feature. The dusk sensor for the autolamps is built into the theft LED against the windshield.