Annoying Lights

[svfetter]

On my 2011 XLT, does anyone know if you can turn off the function where the parking lights come on for a few seconds when you lock or unlock the doors. The owners manual says nothing about it. Thanks.

 

[GAINMOB]

i dont see how thats annoying...safety feature...i guess you can go through the options on your message center and see if its there...if not...let it be unless wife/girlfriend never drives it...it may be connected with the timer for the courtesy lights...i have mine set for 20 secs then they go out

 

[Robert Gift]

On my 2011 XLT, does anyone know if you can turn off the function where the parking lights come on for a few seconds when you lock or unlock the doors. The owners manual says nothing about it. Thanks.

FORD knows what's best for you (us).
Perhaps you can find a wiring diagram and disconnect the wire.

 

[Maverick1701]

FORD knows what's best for you (us).
Perhaps you can find a wiring diagram and disconnect the wire.

the Ford is mother, The Ford is father. I feel safe in Fords arms....

 

[svfetter]

Thanks Guys. I just think all these lights remaining on, if only for a few seconds, drains the battery that much more.

It does not seem to be in the courtesy light function either. Which I don't use.

On my 2007 Mustang GT, it had a similar feature where all the lights came on when you unlocked the car. But in the owners manual, there was clearly a section where it explained how to turn that feature off. No Such section on the Expedition so I suspect it is what it is.

 

[Robert Gift]

... all these lights remaining on, if only for a few seconds, drains the battery that much more...

Think of the battery as a bathtub full of water.
The courtesy lights would be like a straw draining the water. The straw would drain ALL of the water, but that would take a long time.

For the few minutes on, the courtesy lights cannot drain much. (You can add up their wattages and determine how much drain.)

Would be nice if the system could cease drain so that enough charge always remains in the battery to START the engine which will charge the battery back up.
Our ambulance has two storage batteries on a switch: OFF, A, B, or A+B.

 

[svfetter]

Don't need any more drain on the battery than it already has. With all the computer functions running in the background on these cars and trucks nowdays, if you don't drive them often enough, you get a dead battery.

 

[GAINMOB]

+1...if your truck is like mine...the cigarette lighter spot/aux power is constantly on...regardless if something is plug'd in or not...and i've left my phone charging overnight in the truck countless times...your battery would recharge anyways upon you driving...20 secs is nothing...i sit all the time waiting on wife listening to my music in the acc positions...8yrs later...no probs...

 

[Whack]

Waiting for the wife listening to music... I could get a merit badge for that...

The drain isn't that bad... My Eddie Bauer will turn on the lights inside and out... not to mention the seats moving... etc...

The Expedition has a huge battery though, and my experience with countless Ford GEM modules (what controls lighting) it isn't going to drain the battery to a point where you won't get a few attempts to start it.

The only time I've seen them not start is more due to a FUBARed battery, then the little drain for lights or systems before start up.

If you are still concerned, you could put in a battery interrupt switchy thing, but be warned, it will get really annoying waiting for your Expy to figure out it is a V8 SUV and not toaster every time you start it.

 

[GAINMOB]

i upgraded to sears diehard years ago...truck sat for a year with no start when i was in afghanistan...

 

[svfetter]

You have been lucky Freeway. Living in a warm climate helps as well. I could have a brand new battery and if my 2000 Expedition sat for more than a few days in below freezing temps (unemployed) battery would be dead. Summer no issue.

My 2007 Mustang Gt cannot go much more than a couple weeks at any temp without a dead battery. But later model mustangs are known for this.

Most people would never know this trait as they never let their engines get cold.

 

[RI-Matt]

svfetter, dont know if its any different on a 2011 than on my 2008 but worth a try (from my owners manual)


Deactivating/activating perimeter lamps illuminated entry

You may perform the following power door lock sequence to
enable/disable the perimeter lamps feature.
Note: Before starting, ensure the ignition is in the 1 (LOCK) position and all vehicle doors are closed.

You must complete Steps 1–5 within 30 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated. If the procedure needs to be repeated, wait a
minimum of 30 seconds before beginning again.

1. The ignition must be OFF to
begin the sequence.
2. Place the key in the ignition and
turn the ignition to the 3 (RUN)
position.
3. Press the power door unlock
control on the door panel three
times.
4. Turn the ignition from the 3
(RUN) position to the 1 (LOCK) position.
5. Press the power door unlock control on the door panel three times.
6. Turn the ignition back to the 3 (RUN) position. The horn will chirp
one time to confirm programming mode has been entered and is active.
7. Press the power door unlock control twice within 5 seconds. Note:
The horn will chirp once to indicate the perimeter lighting feature has
been deactivated. The horn will chirp once and honk once (one short
and one long) to indicate the perimeter lighting feature has been
activated.
8. Turn the ignition to the 1 (LOCK) position to exit the procedure.
Note: The horn will chirp once to confirm the procedure is complete.


FYI, the interior lights can be made to NOT come on when the doors are opened by turning the dimmer dial all the way down past the detent.



Matt

 

[svfetter]

Thanks Matt,

I will give that a try. Sounds like the same process I went thru on my 2007 GT.