Automatic rain-activated headlights

[cruzer]

Got a surprise today---finally got some rain and when I pulled into the garage the headlights were on , even though the switch was off. I also noted that the radio and air-conditioning panels were dark. Shut down the engine and the lights went out. Restarted the engine--backed out of the garage and turned the w/s wipers on---in a couple seconds, the radio panel , etc went off---headlights came on---had instrument light on low--turned them up all the way---the radio lights were there---only automatically dimmed. gotta check this more---did the rain activate it or the w/s wipers ?---I thought I had read the manual very carefully---guess I missed something

[TAF]

cruzer,

The headlamps are activated by the wiper switch...use the wipers for a length of time...lights activate.

[Donny Carlson]

Yeah, the headlights come on if the wipers are used for 45 seconds (i think 45...). This is great if, like me, you live in a state where the law requires headlights on while raining.:D

[DetGeno]

Anyone know how to deactivate it, it really bugs me sometimes!

[yorks]

^^^What TAF said^^^

Manual says 10 secs after wipers on but mine's more like 5 secs.
Can be a PITA if your in sporadic rain conditions.

[TripleTransAm]

My dealer tech pulled out the wire (from the wiper motor, I believe) and supposedly tucked it away such that I could always return to stock setup if I wished. With the DRLs up here, I felt I preferred the lights not toggling on/off frequently in very light rain where wiper operation was intermittent. Would probably give the guy ahead of me the impression I was flashing my lights at him, or the guy behind me the impression I was braking when I wasn't (possibly an issue with our smoked taillights).

Not an issue with constant rain for me, as I turn on the headlights when it is a constant rain anyway.

[Merc-O-matic]

When you turn on your wipers, the low beam headlights
automatically turn on 20 seconds later. When you turn
your wipers off the headlights will go out.
During wiper operation (rain) the dash lights
can not be adjusted.
Gotta Love it!

[TripleTransAm]

In my case, it was MUCH much shorter than 20 seconds. If I had 20 seconds of buffer time between activating the wipers and turning them off again in (using Yorks' words) sporadic rain conditions, I could very well live with that. I'd definitely be exaggerating if I said I had more than 5 seconds between wiper activation and light operation. Maybe it's a Canadian thing? I noticed Yorks quoted a similar 5 second time delay.

[yorks]

5 it is. I timed it when I first got the car and was playing with everything like a kid in the proverbial candy store.

[Donny Carlson]

Hokay. I looked it up. The manual says "The headlamps will also turn on when the wipers are activated, after a 10-20 second delay."

Interesting thing - this is under "autolamp" -- so, if you have autolamp turned off, will this disable the turning on the lights with the wipers?

[Donny Carlson]

From the manual =

Your vehicle’s headlamp system is equipped with a feature that will not dim the instrument panel lighting when the headlamps are on in the daytime. Even during full daylight, the instrument panel lighting will still be visible with the headlamp operating.

Which does not explain why Cruzer's panel was dimmed.:confused:

[Donny Carlson]

Unless of course his garage was dark (or at a low enough light level that the car thought was dark) and the car dimmed the panel. Hmmm

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Donny Carlson
Interesting thing - this is under "autolamp" -- so, if you have autolamp turned off, will this disable the turning on the lights with the wipers?


Yes, interesting. It's in line with what the Ford bulletin indicates ("customers may complain auto-headlights are too sensitive when wipers are on" or something similar). It's in this same bulletin that Ford recommends the wire disconnection at the customer's request (so my powertrain warranty is not voided after all... yippee!).

But as we all have experienced, it most definitely is NOT autolamp-related.

[cruzer]

Thanks everyone---missed that in the manual---yes, it was a dark day and the garage lights were dim--guess I'll leave it alone---so seldom rains here

[Murader03]

Originally posted by DetGeno
Anyone know how to deactivate it, it really bugs me sometimes!

If you can wait till later in the day, like this evening after I get up, I'll post the wire location and color. Or, you can search the site for windshield wipers, or headlights, something to that extent. I posted the wire color and location several months back for another member who wanted to disable this safety function.

[Murader03]

Originally posted by DetGeno
Anyone know how to deactivate it, it really bugs me sometimes!

Here you go! The easiest place to deactivate the lights from the sipers would be at the wiper motor connector. Look for the "Black wire with the Pink Stripe." Remove the wire and your set.

Hope that helps!

[fblumberg]

I think its great!!!
just got my blue haedlamps...
5 secs...
so what!!!
its wonderful1
fred

[Merc-O-matic]

Bob, If you get a chance please run
that wire location, color, etc. by
us again. Many thanks!

[Murader03]

I'll post the rest of the location later in the day. Don't have the manual at work. Easiest location is at the wiper motor connector, and cut/remove the black wire with pink stripe.

[Crown Vic]

Mine go on automatically 15 seconds after after the wipers go on and go off 15 seconds after I turn off the wipers.

[jgc61sr2002]

I myself like the feature of wipers on = lights on. Can never have enough lights for safety.:D

[bigslim]

Wish it had automatic rain senor wipers like I had in my LS. That would be a nice feature.

[JohnE]

I'm on the other end. My car did not activate the lights by the wipers from the factory. I modified mine to activate the lights when the wipers are not home and in autolamp. I can actually run the window washer and have the wipers return before the lights come on. If I don't want them to come on, switch the lights to OFF.