Auto highbeams not working

[KingConan]

On my '22 Platinum its been a while since i've noticed my highbeams auto enabling at night. My light dial is set to auto, also tried turning it off and back to auto as well as the software menu for lights -> auto highbeams is enabled.

I can use the stick to turn them on, or flash them. I see no icon in the dash for auto-highbeams, and see the regular blue icon next to the daytime running lights when i manually turn them on.

I haven't received a software update in quite some time, I think the last was the walk away lock feature.

Any ideas if this is software or hardware problem?

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[Athrun88]

You have to flick the stalk to enable auto high beams. Push the stalk away from you, similar to manually turning them on, and watch for the highbeam symbol with the A in it appear. It basically cycles through the options: auto, manual on, off.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

On my '22 Platinum its been a while since i've noticed my highbeams auto enabling at night. My light dial is set to auto, also tried turning it off and back to auto as well as the software menu for lights -> auto highbeams is enabled.

I can use the stick to turn them on, or flash them. I see no icon in the dash for auto-highbeams, and see the regular blue icon next to the daytime running lights when i manually turn them on.

I haven't received a software update in quite some time, I think the last was the walk away lock feature.

Any ideas if this is software or hardware problem?

I have had exactly the same issue with my '23 XLT auto headlights. There have been several people reporting the same issue on the Lightning Forum.

Several people reported that the fix is to replace the headlight switch with a newly engineered headlight switch and update the Body Control Module program associated with the headlight switch.

I recently took my Lightning in to my local Ford dealer to have the headlight switch replaced under warranty. Much to my surprise they refused to replace the switch under warranty because they said they couldn't find a trouble code in my computer for a failed switch.

I explained the nature of the problem would unlikely set a trouble code. It's as if someone simply turned the switch to manual and the bright lights remained bright, which results in me brightlighting oncoming vehicles. It's a safety issue.

Also, the Ford service center said they had no service bulletin for this issue. They said they have nothing to use to charge the repair to a warranty claim.

Needless to say, I was very frustrated. I called Ford customer service and it was like talking with a kindergarten class. They are not qualified to do their job. Also they lied to me. I asked to talk with an upper level customer support person who pretended to want to help me. It was an act. She couldn't comprehend anything I explained about issue, but promised to send an email to me explaining that if I put the headlight switch to Auto it would work. She told me she wanted me to respond to her email with the results of me following her troubleshooting steps. She never sent me an email. We verified my email address several times. She never called back. I called back and couldn't be connected to her again. Ford customer service is a joke.

My advice is report the issue to your local dealer and see if they will replace it under warranty. There is a SSM# for 2022 Lightnings for this headlight switch issue. They started updating switches on the 2023 models, but apparently my 2023 got one of the old switches. Call in to the repair manager first and ask if they will replace it under warranty under a SSM#. 51058.

See the attached screenshot.

 

[hturnerfamily]

mine has done this, infrequently, as well...

it seems to have a mind of it's own...

I also wish the HIGH BEAMS would reactivate MUCH QUICKER after a vehicle has passed... I don't like the 'slow increase' in the High Beams... just turn them on.
I also noticed that the HIGH BEAMS don't activate, automatically, at low speed, although this may be when you actually NEED them...

 

[KingConan]

Thank you very much for the detailed response. I tried cycling the highbeams and nothing happens its just on or off. I guess I am fortunate my is a '22 so qualifies under the repair bulletin. I'll reach out to my local service and see if I can get it repaird.

 

[Grumpy2]

I also wish the HIGH BEAMS would reactivate MUCH QUICKER after a vehicle has passed... I don't like the 'slow increase' in the High Beams... just turn them on.

This slow response makes the auto setting useless.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I have had exactly the same issue with my '23 XLT auto headlights. There have been several people reporting the same issue on the Lightning Forum.

Several people reported that the fix is to replace the headlight switch with a newly engineered headlight switch and update the Body Control Module program associated with the headlight switch.

I recently took my Lightning in to my local Ford dealer to have the headlight switch replaced under warranty. Much to my surprise they refused to replace the switch under warranty because they said they couldn't find a trouble code in my computer for a failed switch.

I explained the nature of the problem would unlikely set a trouble code. It's as if someone simply turned the switch to manual and the bright lights remained bright, which results in me brightlighting oncoming vehicles. It's a safety issue.

Also, the Ford service center said they had no service bulletin for this issue. They said they have nothing to use to charge the repair to a warranty claim.

Needless to say, I was very frustrated. I called Ford customer service and it was like talking with a kindergarten class. They are not qualified to do their job. Also they lied to me. I asked to talk with an upper level customer support person who pretended to want to help me. It was an act. She couldn't comprehend anything I explained about issue, but promised to send an email to me explaining that if I put the headlight switch to Auto it would work. She told me she wanted me to respond to her email with the results of me following her troubleshooting steps. She never sent me an email. We verified my email address several times. She never called back. I called back and couldn't be connected to her again. Ford customer service is a joke.

My advice is report the issue to your local dealer and see if they will replace it under warranty. There is a SSM# for 2022 Lightnings for this headlight switch issue. They started updating switches on the 2023 models, but apparently my 2023 got one of the old switches. Call in to the repair manager first and ask if they will replace it under warranty under a SSM#. 51058.

See the attached screenshot.

BTW.... I called Ford Customer Service Center once again to discuss my headlight switch issue. I was prompted by other people reporting the same issue on this Forum. Ford still refused to cover my headlight switch issue under warranty.

The customer service person said more people need to call in to the customer service center to report this issue before it gets turned into a SSM# for warranty claims. I encourage everyone who has witnessed this issue with your Lightning or ICE F150 to call Ford Customer Service at 1-800-392-3673. Ask for the Electric Vehicle Department.

Thanks.

 

[KingConan]

I just scheduled mine for diagnosis, not available until nov. 10th!. The MO is it's a $165 diagnosis charge unless its covered by warranty they would not commit to saying it was a warranty issue over the phone. I provided the SSM and he didn't want to research it. I told him i have no intention of paying for diagnosis or repair, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there on the 10th.

Maybe I should try the customer service number and get it sorted before it goes in for diagnosis.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I just scheduled mine for diagnosis, not available until nov. 10th!. The MO is it's a $165 diagnosis charge unless its covered by warranty they would not commit to saying it was a warranty issue over the phone. I provided the SSM and he didn't want to research it. I told him i have no intention of paying for diagnosis or repair, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there on the 10th.

Maybe I should try the customer service number and get it sorted before it goes in for diagnosis.

You really should. If they will do their job, they should help you get it covered under warranty.

 

[KingConan]

You really should. If they will do their job, they should help you get it covered under warranty.

I called and reported my situation which they noted and created a case. All the help they would provide is find me another dealer who may have an earlier appointment then November. Same feedback as you that this is not a recall currently, and the dealers diagnosis will contribute the technical data back to Ford for consideration.

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