Automatic Lights on a Base Explorer

[MN JIM]

I ask the local Ford dealer if there is a retrofit kit to add auto headlights on a base Explorer. He said there was none available. Does anyone know if this upgrade is possible?

 

[peterk9]

I doubt Ford would have a kit for that. Perhaps there are after market kits you can get. Do an Internet search. You would require a sensor and someway to control them as far as having the system ON or OFF.

Peter

 

[kuko]

over at the escape forum people are just changing the non auto switch for the auto one and thats all it takes to have the auto lights for them, since you already have the light sensor might want to try that, may be it will work on the explorer also.

http://www.fordescape.org/forum/electronics-audio-lighting/31033-auto-headlight-feature-install.html

 

[tbroecker01]

Any updates on this??
Did a new switch with auto feature work??

Looking to do this to our 2012 Base.

 

[jmr061]

You would have to see if the sensor exists in the dash. If it does swapping out the headlight switch and altering as built data may work.

 

[tbroecker01]

You would have to see if the sensor exists in the dash. If it does swapping out the headlight switch and altering as built data may work.

Popped the little square plastic cover at the base of the windshield, no wires exist in that spot. I'm assuming that is the spot the sensor would be if one existing.

 

[jmr061]

Popped the little square plastic cover at the base of the windshield, no wires exist in that spot. I'm assuming that is the spot the sensor would be if one existing.

Correct. You would have to go through a lot of work to add auto headlights by the sounds of it.

You could see if the auto lamp wire exists on the headlight switch harness as well. There should be a 10 pin connector on the headlamp switch....7 wires populated would mean it is there....6 means it is not.

 

[tbroecker01]

Correct. You would have to go through a lot of work to add auto headlights by the sounds of it.

You could see if the auto lamp wire exists on the headlight switch harness as well. There should be a 10 pin connector on the headlamp switch....7 wires populated would mean it is there....6 means it is not.

How do I get the headlight switch out of the dash?? Do I have to remove the piece that it is installed in?? If so, how??

Also, how would I know if the vehicle is pre-wired for fogs?

 

[jmr061]

It isn't going to be pre-wired. Besides the wiring there is also programming within the vehicle modules. Even if you added all the needed wiring to get factory operation you would have to figure out the programming side of things.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311631&page=5&highlight=fog

 

[kuko]

This could be the solution, if you can do some wiring shouldn't be to hard to do.

http://www.exledshop.com/universal-leds/electronic-module-for-car/exled-auto-light-module-copy.html

 

[Medic531]

Does the base not normally come with automatic headlights? I just bought one and it has automatic lights.

 

[jmr061]

Perhaps they do now, the window sticker would state but they did not previously.

 

[kuko]

Base models did not come with auto lights until MY2014.

 

[silvergrey14]

I bought my base 14 last May it was built in 12/13. Mine came w/ the auto headlights.