2021 lift gate puddle light will not illuminate unless ignition is on.

[jfreeman6]

I have a question about the lift gate puddle light on a 2021 Expedition Max Limited.
The left and right rear view mirror puddle lights illuminate if the vehicle unlocked or if the doors are opened.
However, the lift gate puddle light only illuminates if the ignition/engine is on and the door is open.
Why? Is this right?
I have a 2020 F350 Lariat and the tailgate puddle light is in sync with the rearview mirror puddle lights.
I don't get why they are different.

Also, is there a way to turn on the puddle lights and get them to stay on for am extended period of time like you can on the F150/250/350?

 

[jfreeman6]

No ideas from anyone?

 

[scottdm]

When you say "lift gate puddle lights" do you mean the license plate lights? My license plate lights illuminate when I open the doors along with the LED eyebrow strips on the headlights, the tail lights, and the mirror puddle lights. There is a time delay in the vehicle settings of the instrument cluster for the duration that the headlights stay on, but the puddle lights go out when you lock the vehicle. I think the longest time is 120 seconds for the headlights/taillights to stay on after the ignition is turned off.

 

[jfreeman6]

No, I mean lift-gate puddle light.
I have two license plate lights like you say, but I also have a puddle light.
The puddle light only works when the vehicle is on.
I will take a picture and post.

 

[jfreeman6]

 

[jfreeman6]

 

[aggiegrad05]

View attachment 71659

I am almost 100% certain my 2018 Platinum doesn't have that light! I feel cheated! haha

Edit: I went to check…I don’t have that light!

 

[apex96]

That light is only on Expeditions with the HD tow package. It's there to illuminate the tongue of the trailer at night so that it is better seen through the rear camera.

 

[aggiegrad05]

That light is only on Expeditions with the HD tow package. It's there to illuminate the tongue of the trailer at night so that it is better seen through the rear camera.

Whew...ok I don't feel bad anymore. I thought it was another case of us early adopters getting the shaft. Thanks @apex96

 

[Dennis48755]

Very interesting and sure enough my 2018 Expedition Limited (w/HD Tow) has the light.

So what is the trick to get it to turn on?

 

[Benztech]

I've noticed mine before and assumed it was for trailer tow, but never used it. I just tried and I couldn't get it to come on. The owners manual says something about it automatically coming on.

 

[sjwhiteley]

If it’s to illuminate the hitch, it probably comes on when in reverse, or the reverse camera is on?

 

[apex96]

If it’s to illuminate the hitch, it probably comes on when in reverse, or the reverse camera is on?

As SJ alluded to. Place vehicle in reverse, set parking brake and look. It should be illuminated. This light does not work the same as the trucks. I do remember my F150 had the light illuminate when I unlocked the vehicle.

For those that have the light (I do not) there may be an option in forscan to activate it upon unlocking the vehicle but I have not looked to see if that is so.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

I have a 2018 with the tow package. A) Never knew it was there AND I've read the book. B) I've never seen it on.

I just unlocked the truck, all lights on including mirror puddles, but not that light. Guess it's a reverse thing or maybe only when you use trailer wiring?

 

[aggiegrad05]

I did some digging in the manual (slow day at the office). I think that is called the "trailer hookup lamp" and it says it and the cargo lamp will come on automatically when the pro-trailer backup assist system is engaged (which you accomplish by pressing the button in the middle of the pro-trailer backup assist knob).

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?countryCode=USA&languageCode=en&Uid=G1893643&ProcUid=G1915640&div=f&variantid=6997&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=USA

(It's a note under "Step 3")

That is the only reference in the whole manual (that I can find) to the "trailer hookup lamp"; it's not even listed on the bulb specification chart.

 

[Dennis48755]

I did some digging in the manual (slow day at the office). I think that is called the "trailer hookup lamp"...

Good find, thanks for your digging.

 

[Benztech]

I'll have to try it again. I had the engine running, trans in reverse, and trailer assist on. Never saw the light on. I didn't have the parking brake on.

 

[spiderman865]

View attachment 71659

@jfreeman6 - How you get that center light to come on?