Auto Headlights Kicking Into Manual intermittently and Causing Me to Brightlight Oncoming Vehicles

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I just left a Ford dealership's service center. I have been having an issue with my automatic headlights not dimming on my 2023 Ford XLT Lightning. I reported the problem to the service center, and they refused to cover it under factory warranty. They stated it's not setting a trouble code.

I have researched this issue on several forums, including the Ford Forum. It is a known issue for 2021-2022 Lightning Trucks and some 2023 trucks. It has been reported that the fix was to replace the headlight switch and reprogram the associated Body Control Module.

This problem occurs intermittently and on a regular bases. I'm not surprised that it's not setting a trouble code due to the nature of the fault. It is a safety issue for me and oncoming traffic because I inadvertently "brightlight" oncoming vehicles and they brightlight me back making it difficult to see the oncoming vehicle.

Can someone from Ford reach out to me and help me get this issue fixed under factory warranty.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

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[davehu]

I tried the auto dims when I first got my Lariat but was disappointed. they would take too long to turn on and off leaving me driving in the dark or blinding the other driver. I don't recall any way to adjust the sensitivity so I just turned it off. I don't drive after dark very often anyway. good luck with a fix

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I tried the auto dims when I first got my Lariat but was disappointed. they would take too long to turn on and off leaving me driving in the dark or blinding the other driver. I don't recall any way to adjust the sensitivity so I just turned it off. I don't drive after dark very often anyway. good luck with a fix

The issue I'm dealing with is well documented on the Ford Forum. However, my local Ford dealership says they do not have a way to apply the fix (new switch) under my vehicle warranty that has plenty of time and miles left on it. So disappointing that Ford is taking this approach to my problem and other Ford owner's problems. They can do better than this. The dealership said I can pay for the switch and repair now and maybe I can get a refund later.
I've got to fix it, so I told them go ahead and order the switch. I'm not holding my breath on them reimbursing me.

 

[tls]

I have the glare-free lights enabled via Forscan. I've noticed a couple of times lately that the lights come up in old fashioned high beam mode when I start the truck and stay that way until I flick them once, then go into the intended glare free mode.

I didn't apply any updates with FDRS and I haven't had an OTA (that the truck has told me about) in a very long time. I did drive on and out of Canada where the default glare-free config is different (I hear) and the truck knew - it splashed an "Information available for Canada / Information available for USA" on the screen when entering/exiting - and I wonder if maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[RLXXI]

I tried the auto dims when I first got my Lariat but was disappointed. they would take too long to turn on and off leaving me driving in the dark or blinding the other driver. I don't recall any way to adjust the sensitivity so I just turned it off. I don't drive after dark very often anyway. good luck with a fix

I've found the functioning to be the same on my truck and precisely why I never use it. I'll flick the high beams on/off as needed with the stalk switch.

 

[Heliian]

long to turn on and off

Isn't there a setting in the centre screen for time delay?

 

[davehu]

Isn't there a setting in the centre screen for time delay?

don't think so but it's been almost 2 years since I fiddled with it.

 

[RickLightning]

Works great on my 2022...

 

[K6CCC]

I use high beams almost any time I can. However I find that Auto high beams on ANY modern vehicle is far too lax on dimming the high beams. Yes, vehicle code here in California states 500 feet, but with modern headlights, that is FAR too close. I only use manual control. Never tried the Lightning Auto...

 

[Firn]

OP, get a camera on the dash showing what is happening. Or, if the switch itself changes position/indication video tape that.

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I found the auto high beams a little lax but not terrible however the Glare Free lights are much quicker to dim than the "whole" auto high beams.

 

[Grumpy2]

If there is a way to adjust how fast they return to bright I would be very happy, otherwise I use the manual approach. Two seconds delay is too long at 60 mph on a two lane in deer country.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

OP, get a camera on the dash showing what is happening. Or, if the switch itself changes position/indication video tape that.

..

I found the auto high beams a little lax but not terrible however the Glare Free lights are much quicker to dim than the "whole" auto high beams.

Great temporary use of a dash camera or a second dash camera. The moment I used my regular dash cam to record the auto headlight indicator switching off, would be the moment I needed most.... so a second camera.

Thanks for the suggestion.

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