2010 expy: how to deactivate "approach lights"?

[jeffcrilly]

We just picked up a 2010 expedition.

One thing we want to do is disable/deactivate the "approach lights".

The current behavior is...
- If you unlock the vehicle, all the parking lights come on.
- If it is already unlocked, the lights come on when a door (or hatch) is opened.
- The lights go off after 20 seconds or if you start the vehicle.

I work out of the vehicle at night and need darkness - no stray lights. periodically, I need to open the vehicle to get something out of it.. and I cant have the parking lights coming on. Note that there is a switch to disable to dome light - that is great (the old 96 explorer didnt even have such a switch, and required a fuse pull to get the dark car).

I did find a "button sequence" for the F150 but it didnt seem to work for the 2010 expedition.

Any idea on how to disable the approach/perimeter light feature?

Btw, I did find out that if I leave a door ajar it does seem to go dark after 20 seconds and then stay dark even if the hatch is opened/closed. so that might be an option.. if there was only a way to "fake" the door ajar - e.g. pull a wire from somewhere... cuz I'd also like to be able to lock the vehicle without having it light up when I unlock it.

thx

jeff

 

[06EXP]

On my 06 if you use the dash and dome dimmer switch and turn it all the way down to off, nothing will come on if you unlock the doors or if any doors are open.

 

[ELVATO]

That'd only turn off the interior lights and puddle lights, don't think it'd do anything for the parking lights.

It's called illumniated entry. I didn't see any mention on how to turn it off in the manual. For the F150s, I think it's called perimeter lighting, or something like that...

 

[jeffcrilly]

yes... turning down the knob on the dash turns off the domes and 'puddle' lamps (under the outside mirrors). but the parking lamps still come on.

i need to find out if there is anything about this in the service books... i'll be meeting up with the dealer (need to pick up some other stuff)... and if there's something the dealer/technicians can do i'd like to get them the info... e.g. w/ the prius there was a super annoying backup beeper that I had them turn off... it required the tech computer.

thx

jeff