I just bought my first Ford. An F150 STX. After I took possession, I found out that it didn't have automatic headlights. A 33K MSRP vehicle without automatic headlights?

I did a search and found advice on some forum that I could buy the switch and sensor new or used and upgrade it. The post even gave me the part numbers.

Well I did that. I was extremely to switch out the parts. Only problem is that now the lights stay on all the time. I just paid a Ford mechanic on "Just Answer" to help me with the problem. He said it is NOT POSSIBLE to make the automatic headlights work on an STX. Stupid as it may sound, it is programmed not to work even though doing so causes Ford more effort than just using standard programming.

This sounds extra stupid to me but I wanted to want my fellow forum members to be aware. Don't spend the money on switches my STX friends. Ford doesn't want you to have automatic headlights.

With that and my fan running so loud I can't hear inside the cab, I regret my decision to stray from Chevy to Ford.

Mike
Arlington, TX

 

Buy a '10. They work perfectly on my truck. Its nearly common knowledge they don't work correctly if you install on '11+ trucks. Sorry

 

Well it sounds like you're an impulse buyer as this could have all been avoided with a good test drive. When I went to look at mine I touched and turned every **** to make sure it's what I wanted and had the features I wanted, when I test drove I listened to rattles, squeaks, ect to make sure there were none.

I know it can be done because I have them on mine and it is exactly that, swap out switch and add sensor and walla it works. Your problem? You have a newer version where the computer software was changed and it will not work on 11 and up.

 

I'm 65 and have bought a few cars in my years. My buying style has served me pretty well so far. I made one mistake on this one - but twice. At first when I bought and then I believed it could be updated. Now In hind sight, people tell me - oh, not on an 11 and up.

Ok. The thing is you don't go to forums and seek advice before you know you've got a problem. Gee, what I would give for hind-sight before the fact.

 

Yeah, I feel your pain. I bought a '13 STX and read a thread about this "simple" upgrade. I figured why not & ordered the parts. Then after they were ordered & shipped I read a bit more and discovered I was SOL on a 11+. Fawk........

 

I don't think that's totally fair. Hard to know every item to look for until after the fact at times. I didn't realize my '13 XLT didn't have DRL's until I read this forum. Then I went back to the dealer and they turned them on for free...thanks to this forum. I felt dumb because I ASSUMED this would be standard. Again, tough to know all the nuances between models and manufacturers.

 

Maybe but the headlight switch is in your face whereas the DRL is an easy miss.

I know I spent a couple months going through all the specs and options between the models so I knew exactly what I was getting.

 

The automatic lights are a PITA. Mine has them and when I need them on they never come on, but they come on when I don't need them. I just turn the switch.

 

Love mine, work exactly when I need them.

 

Move your hat off the sensor on the dash.



Mine work fine as well. On when needed of when not.