Light sensor for Auto Headlights

[BAJ1]

Does anybody know if there is any information out there on this sensor? Is there an adjustable setting for when the light sensor turns on/off the headlights? Is the sensor used for anything else (like climate control)?

I really like the feature, but the settings aren't really to my liking. The lights come on and turn off at lower light than I'd prefer. I find this interesting that Ford would not error on the side of safety. If I let the light sensor turn on the headlights when driving at dusk, I'm usually about the last car on the road w/o lights. In the morning at dawn, it's the opposite, I'm the first car with them turned off. I've found that I can flip my wallet open and cover the sensor to fool it, but that somewhat defeats the purpose.

Anybody have any suggestions? The dealer said there are no adjustable settings for this, but I don't inherently trust them. If there aren't, I was thinking of covering the sensor with window tint film or similar. Does anybody know if this sensor is used for anything else? My wife's '05 Subaru has a light sensor and it is used with the automatic climate controls as well.

Thanks,
-Brad

 

[derekfo]

On my sport trac there is an adjustment on the display on the cluster. it says 15 minutes 30, or 45 min before dusk you can set when the lights comes on

 

[derekfo]

you have an eddie bauer so I know you have this adjustment. its easy to use

 

[derekfo]

This sensor is used for climate control as well, in the early days ford called this a sun sensor. If you cover this sensor with tint the ac will not perform properly on those sunny days. the sytem will asume its cloudy

 

[BAJ1]

Thanks for the replies. If that is indeed what the setting is on the '08 Sport Trac, then Ford really should have included it in the Explorer as well. Unfortunately mine doesn't have a setting for that on the Message Center. I do have a setting titled "Auto Lights", but it is the number of seconds the lights stay on after the car is turned off.

 

[CDW6212R]

I'd be interested to know if some are adjustable. None of the older models have ever had any adjustment. On my 99 Limited I altered mine to work as I want them to. I covered the sensor with RTV black to always turn on. I changed the input power to an oil pressure sensed signal. My lights come on when there is oil pressure. Regards,