Recently bought a 2014 FX4 and I am wondering if it is possible to disable the dash lights when the headlamps are set to off at night. The bright dash lights are blinding when parked sitting in the dark. I know i can adjust the dimmer (even then they do not dim completely off), but i'd rather not have to do that every time i am just sitting waiting in the dark since id be turning it right back up the next day. I prefer the late model dimmer switch(my old 03 f150) since you didn't have to press any buttons/hold for dome lights.

 

I'm confused.. the dash lights do turn off when the headlights are off. They only stay on if the parking lights are turned on by themselves. Are you trying to keep the dash lights off while the parking lights are on?

 

Thanks for the reply.

The headlights are off but the gauge/dash lights are still bright as they are during daytime.

Since I've had the truck the gauge lights are always on when the truck is running. Bright during daytime and they dim when the autolamp kicks in when it is dark enough.

See attached picture with headlight position. (This is in the middle of the night while truck is running)

 

Go to your local dealer or someone that has IDS and tell them you want "Dark car" (Police mode activated) that'll take care of it. I activated it on my truck because when I get to work at 5am I usually get there a few mins early and like to sit in the a/c for a few mins and hated that all the lights remained on.

If your in the greater New Orleans area I can activate it for you cheaper than what the dealer charges. There is normally a 1hr shop charge at the dealer ymmv.


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Hmm, what all behavior will change after having this done?

 

Besides the dash lights if your truck is like mine was when ever I shut the key off before and after opening the doors all the interior lights come on, they do not do that any more, you can turn them on manually from the toggle switch when you want them to come on.
Basically allows you more control over those lighting systems.


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I too hate the dimmer rocker and would much prefer a dial but it is what it is.

Dark Care mode intrigues me. Rnlcomp, can you describe it a little better? Or maybe a video? I believe you already mentioned that the dome light does not come on when you turn the ignition off. Does the dome lite come on when you unlock with keyfob? Does the dome light come on when you open a door? Etc.

Thanks, Denny.

 

The dealership uses their IDS (Intergrated Diagnostic System) to in effect disable the illuminated entry. *If you have 12,000 miles or less on your vehicle it will/should be *free*.The module configuration parameter that needs to be changed is ...What this gets you ...

• interior -AND- all exterior (front / rear parking and cargo) lights do not come-on when the door is opened and/or closed. *EXCEPTION: Door key pad will still illuminate.
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• when the fob is used to lock|unlock the doors, the parking lights come-on/turn-off for a VERY brief moment. *The time that the lights illuminate is MUCH, MUCH shorter than "normal". Would describe it as a flash.
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• when using the key fob to lock the doors, the horn will not sound.

As a BTW and FYI ...

Beginning in 2011 the instrument panel dimmer control changed to a rocker switch (from a roller thumbwheel) and with that change the ability to disable the illuminated entry feature was lost.

Prior to 2011 to disable the illuminated entry feature you only needed to rotate the instrument panel dimmer control thumbwheel to the left position, past the detent.

And Yes, I have the " Police dark car feature" -enabled-

Fleet F-150s and Expeditions that are ordered / intended for law enforcement agency use are shipped with the " Police dark car feature" -enabled-
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First we have to understand what illuminated entry and exit is.


The illuminated entry requests the dimmable backlighting, the parking lamps and the courtesy lamps to illuminate when the ignition is OFF and a door is opened, the RKE transmitter UNLOCK button is pressed, or the vehicle is unlocked using the keyless entry keypad. If no doors are open, the illuminated entry requests the lamps off after 25 seconds have elapsed, the ignition is switched out of OFF, the RKE transmitter LOCK button is pressed, or the vehicle is locked using the keyless entry keypad.

The illuminated exit requests the dimmable backlighting, the parking lamps, and the courtesy lamps to illuminate for 25 seconds after all doors are closed and the ignition is turned OFF. The illuminated exit deactivates when the ignition transitions out of OFF, a door becomes ajar, or 25 seconds have elapsed.

The dark car configuration disables the activation of the illuminated entry and illuminated exit features when active. The courtesy lamps can still be activated by the instrument panel dimmer switch.

That's it in a nut shell.


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Erroneous information.


The horn Will sound
Dark car feature only affects the lighting, hence the name.

The rest of your post is otherwise accurate.


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