is there a way to set my new 2013 truck so that when I open the door the exterior lights don't come on?

 

There is a way but you have to have the dealer program it. It's police mode or dark mode.

 

I don't mind the interior lights coming on, that's normal, but I don't care for the headlights and park lights lighting up at night .

If you're out at night hunting coyotes or hogs that's not a good thing to happen when you want to grab something out of the truck

 

There is only one way to disable this - flash the control module.

Take your vehicle to a dealership and have them use their IDS (Intergrated Diagnostic System) *If you have 12,000 miles or less on your vehicle it will 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.
  .
• 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".
  .
• 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-

EDIT: Fleet F-150s and Expeditions that are ordered / intended for law enforcement agency use are shipped with the " Police dark car feature" -enabled-
.

 

I sure do thank you for the reply and all of the information.
It took some time to put that together and I appreciate it.


I just bought the truck and I am going to run it into the dealer next week and get this feature changed.

I don't like not having the interior lights come on, but it sounds like Ford didn't leave much choice here.

 

FYI- I have a XLT (2013) and it does not have headlights that come on during entry/exit.. just the parking lights come on for 30 secs. when unlocked. I have never been a big fan of those "exit delay" headlight features.

I agree that when camping, hunting, etc.. that feature is annoying. Nobody around you either likes headlights coming on when sitting in a blind or at a campsite. Personally, I prefer a more stealth exit/entry especially if its late at night and maybe people are asleep or in the old days.. while exiting a bar. Sometimes, a low-profile is best. Besides, who wants a truck to look like a Christmas tree at night unless is has 18 wheels on it!

On a side note- Those horn beep lock confirmations are about as much fun! I always knew when my neighbor arrived home for years because his car always blasted out a tone when he walked into his home.. then my dog would follow suit and blast out a bark confirmation as well.

p.s.- A good car audio guy should be able to give you an interior cab light over-ride switch on your dash if you wanted.. there may also be a separate fuse/relay for it.