Left the headlights on again... is there a fix to shut off the headlights when I park it?

[Ducati1098]

I need both hands to count the number of times my wife has left the keys in the house and drove away.

In an auto Bronco or manual?

Because the shifter for an auto won’t move out of park if it doesn’t sense the fob, even if it’s already running.

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[Scott R Nelson]

I don't know if this will solve your problem but you should be able to set the timed delay to turn off the headlights at zero. The headlights will turn off when you shut off the engine.

There is no zero delay, it's "off". That is what I already had, and it does the right thing when I turn the car off in auto headlight mode.

Just out of curiosity, I switched the lamp delay from off to 10 seconds. The next time I drive it I'll set the headlight switch to on and see if they go off after the delay or stay on indefinitely.

 

[Brian_B]

There is no zero delay, it's "off". That is what I already had, and it does the right thing when I turn the car off in auto headlight mode.

Just out of curiosity, I switched the lamp delay from off to 10 seconds. The next time I drive it I'll set the headlight switch to on and see if they go off after the delay or stay on indefinitely.

I thought that was just the courtesy delay - moving the switch to On should override

 

[DALOLA]

In an auto Bronco or manual?

Because the shifter for an auto won’t move out of park if it doesn’t sense the fob, even if it’s already running.

OK.... hold my beer......

 

[Ratfink33]

In an auto Bronco or manual?

Because the shifter for an auto won’t move out of park if it doesn’t sense the fob, even if it’s already running.

Holy shit. So I just tried this in my daughter's 26 sport, wouldn't work. My 24 heritage limited, same thing.y wife now has a 27 explorer st, didn't work. But her first edition, you could pull away. Crazy.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Okay, I did some experimenting this morning.

Headlights set to On, light delay set to 10 seconds. They stay on. When set to Auto, they turn off in less than 10 seconds.

With light delay set to Off, where it used to be, the lights turn off when I shut the engine off. But with lights set to On, they stay on longer than I was willing to check. But weirdly, when I start the car again the headlight setting moves from On to Auto. Then when you turn it off again the lights go off too.

I'm beginning to think that maybe I have one of those switches that others have mentioned that just turn the lights to to the On setting by itself once in a while.

In any case, I consider this to be a screw-up by Ford and I'll have to watch a bit more closely whenever I shut the car off, even though the accidental lights on thing only seems to happen every few months.

 

[Thatguylegit69]

I didn't know it was even possible to leave them on without the computer overriding it. I leave mine in auto 99% of the time but if switch to "on" it defaults back to auto at next start.

In forescan, there's a setting to adjust it from "Auto" to "Last Set Position". So it'll just stay in whatever you set it, rather than revert to auto.

 

[Brian_B]

But weirdly, when I start the car again the headlight setting moves from On to Auto.

There is a setting for this actually - normal behavior. I think it’s in Sync

 

[Ninjak]

I have never had this issue, in my Badlands or now my BRapter. Headlights are set to auto. I get out and go. Also, I have never hit my light switch. Ever. I'm 6-41/2...I guess that is because my seat is all the way back.

Same in my DH. Lights set to auto. No issues at all. The only vehicle I have to remember about the lights is my 68.

 

[Nibroc99]

They should have it beep at you if the engine is off and you leave the lights on and open the door.

It does do that.

 

[DALOLA]

In an auto Bronco or manual?

Because the shifter for an auto won’t move out of park if it doesn’t sense the fob, even if it’s already running.

OK.... hold my beer......

Confirmed! I learned something useful today!

 

[Steve_In_29]

If you are going to replace a defective(?) headlight switch that would be the time to upgrade to the single or dual fog light version if you don't already have that.

 

[cbrenthus]

Didn't read the whole thread but I'm sure they'd time out. I had a '17 WRX with a tow hitch, and for trailer lights instead of running the sensor wire to the front and tapping into an ignition hot, I simply tapped into the parking lights. When I hooked up a trailer I would turn the parking lights on and leave them on as long as the trailer was hooked up, and they'd shut off after so long when the engine was off.

 

[Rydfree]

I have had my knee turn the lights on probably 3 times since I received the Bronco in '23. It can happen if you swivel out of the seat instead of just sliding out to the side. My right knee will hit it as it crosses under the steering column.

 

[Brian_B]

I just f’n banged my knee on the switch getting in.

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