Autolamp headlights on

[Bottom Line]

04 XLT. With the switch in the autolamp position the headlights come on and stay on as soon as I start up. Even in bright sun light. They go off when I turn the ignition off. Would seem to be the switch or sensor. Anybody had a similar problem? Where is the sensor located on an 04? Thanks.

 

[Explorer Pete]

02-05 XLT's sensor is located in the middle of the dash at the glass. It is the little bump. You might want to try a real bright light and shine it on the bump to see if you can shut off the lights. If not then i would think it is bad. Good luck Pete

 

[Doomstang]

Yep it's exactly where Pete said it is. My lights don't come on until its really dark out when set to automatic. Everyone else on the road has their lights on and I noticed mine weren't on until it was almost pitch black out. I took a piece of semi dark window tint and just taped it over that sensor and it has helped some but it seems your problem is the opposite. If you end up having to replace it let me know how much it was and how tough it was to fix....I may be having to do the same thing once I get tired of mine being this way.

 

[Bottom Line]

Lucked out on this one and appreciate the help in any event. I didn't know until posting where the autolamp sensor was located. Turns out my parking pass which has to be displayed on the dash slid over and was blocking the sensor causing it to turn on the headlights. Looks like a bear to have to change that sensor. Thanks again.

 

[Boner]

Sorry I have an 04 XLT as well and when I put the light switch on auto the headlights always stay on, similiar to what Bottonline originally posted.

Is this not to happen?

Even when I have the switch set to off the lights are still on. Is this not the DRL funtion?

 

[Explorer Pete]

For a lot of cars, yes, not Ford. Ford has not joined GM and the imports with daytime lights. I would think that the switch has gone bad. The switch is a plug and play unit. Not sure what the cost is, but you can run it as it is, and feel good that the other cars can see you comming down the road in daylight. Pete