2012 Expy XLT. When I have DRL's on the dash lighting dims. Please tell me some Ford engineer didn't understand that DRL means "daytime". I would think that the dash would be lighted as for daytime, not nighttime. Or, do I have one that is miswired?
DRL issues
- Thread starter texasgary
- Start date
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GAINMOB
Full Access Members
why does it need to be lit anyways??? its daytime...i dont turn my lights on until dusk...so it shouldnt matter much unless its all digital???
DRLs are good enough to earn a discount on my insurance so at least the Insurers think they are a good bet. As for the dash lights, the angle of the clear plexiglass over the gauges is reflective to the point of being difficult to read. With the dimmed lighting, it is even more of a challenge.
The top of the steering column is light tan which reflects outside light against the plexiglass at just the right angle to make it very difficult to see even the gauges let alone the digital info in the center.
The top of the steering column is light tan which reflects outside light against the plexiglass at just the right angle to make it very difficult to see even the gauges let alone the digital info in the center.
RI-Matt
Full Access Members
2012 Expy XLT. When I have DRL's on the dash lighting dims. Please tell me some Ford engineer didn't understand that DRL means "daytime". I would think that the dash would be lighted as for daytime, not nighttime. Or, do I have one that is miswired?
Please explain "When I have DRL's on" ???
Are you talking about the automatic headlights ? This are not the same as DRL.
My 08 has the DRL and there is no "on/off" setting = no input by me, its controlled by the SJB. When the vehicle is in PARK the lights are off, as soon as I put it in DRIVE or REVERSE the lights go on ( at about 70% intensity )shift back into PARK and they go off. The dash lights aren't illuminated at all.
Sounds like you are just putting the lights in AUTO mode which uses the light sensor on the dash to turn the lights on based on the amount of outside ambient light. This is no different than you turning your lights on yourself and it is also all tied into the dash illumination.
Matt
GAINMOB
Full Access Members
Now that he has mentioned it...u must have the lights set on auto to wonder why the cluster is poorly lit
Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)
Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)
GAINMOB
Full Access Members
And the dim switch may be turned down
Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)
Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)
I do have it on auto. Otherwise they serve no purpose as daytime running lights. I have tried to adjust the intensity and it doesn't do anything in the automatic setting. The Ford shop also tried it and could not get it to adjust. They just shrugged their shoulders. I would seem to me, as I said before that with DRL, the after dark "lights on" setting would/should not apply to the dash. Of course as I said it is exacerbated by the plexiglass over the gauges and the light reflective light colored surface of the steering column. When the sun is out as it is most of the day in Texas it is very difficult to see the gauges.
RI-Matt
Full Access Members
Texasgary, I think you are mis-understanding what the "auto" function is for. It is not designed to be DRL's. It is just designed to "automatically" turn on the lights when it gets dark out. True DRL's are on all the time. On the Expeditions that means the headlights, and only the headlights - no parking lights, no rear taillights, no fog lights, no dash lights, are on at 70% intensity.
If all your lights including the dash are going on in the "auto" position during the day, even in bright sun, then either something is wrong with the system or you have something blocking the sensor on the top of the dash.
Are you sure your Expy has the factory DRL feature ?
Here is a test for you, put the light switch in the "off" position while the vehicle is running, shift into drive and see if the headlights go on. If not then you dont have factory DRL, you just have regular lights that you have to turn on.
Matt
