Left the headlights on again... is there a fix to shut off the headlights when I park it?

[Scott R Nelson]

I went grocery shopping today, and as I was putting the goods into the back, a woman in the car parked next to mine pointed out that my headlights were on. I must have bumped something getting into my Bronco or getting out, but somehow the dial got moved from automatic to always on. Not a serious problem this time, just annoying. I guess I should get in the habit of checking my vehicles whenever I park them and walk away. I didn't hear any weak beep sound when I left it, but heard it when I got back in. I'm coming up on five years of ownership and it's a surprise every time this happens.

On my 2014 escape, there is a setting to turn all lights off when the key is removed. I love that feature. The brake lights don't even work after it shuts everything off. Is there something similar that I can do to my Bronco to prevent accidental headlights on when parked?

I consider this a screw-up on Ford's part to make it work this way. I know that if you get in and the lights were on, just starting it switches back to automatic mode and then they turn off (in the daytime).

So, is there a fix to shut off the headlights when I park it?

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[honorableh]

I had to changeout my headlight switch on my 2022 to stop this, some are faulty. Wasn't actually hitting the switch, though I have done that too with my knee since.

 

[dejones64]

My knee bumps the light dial also. I get the chimes when I open the door. I don't know how to auto-shut off though.

 

[Brian_B]

Think they will auto-shutoff after 10 minutes or so, just like the radio does.

They will certainly shut off if the battery gets low - it will go into Deep Sleep before it drains far enough to not be able to start (or, at least, in theory)

And yeah, I've hit the switch with my knee a time or two myself...

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Think they will auto-shutoff after 10 minutes or so, just like the radio does.

I was in the check-out line longer than ten minutes. I was gone at least half an hour. At least the battery was still strong enough to start the thing.

 

[T800]

They should have it beep at you if the engine is off and you leave the lights on and open the door.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I was in the check-out line longer than ten minutes. I was gone at least half an hour. At least the battery was still strong enough to start the thing.

Any chance they came back on when you unlocked it/ opened the back door?
I dont know the cycle these things have for power management any more.

But yeah, I've knee bumped the dial a time or two over the years.

 

[Tricky Mike]

I didn't know it was even possible to leave them on without the computer overriding it. I leave mine in auto 99% of the time but if switch to "on" it defaults back to auto at next start.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Any chance they came back on when you unlocked it/ opened the back door?

I had not unlocked it yet when the woman told me that they were on.

I'm one of those who only unlocks it with the keypad. I haven't seen the actual fob for months.

 

[Deadpool392]

I had not unlocked it yet when the woman told me that they were on.

I'm one of those who only unlocks it with the keypad. I haven't seen the actual fob for months.

Soooo, do you leave the key in the vehicle all the time? That could be why the headlights didn’t time out….

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Soooo, do you leave the key in the vehicle all the time? That could be why the headlights didn’t time out….

I think you might be on to something here. Might be a longer timeout that way. The fob has to be in there for it to be started and driven.

 

[T800]

Soooo, do you leave the key in the vehicle all the time? That could be why the headlights didn’t time out….

You can't drive away without the FOB, so I don't understand either.

It would make sense for my wife: In her purse... Somewhere...

Need to get something out, have to carry her purse to her Expedition. Doubt 'Scott' is carrying a purse, but never know these days.

 

[CalvinT]

All my lights turn off when I lock the doors. All my settings are at factory default.

 

[Rick U]

I also had to have my light switch replaced because the lights would turn on by themselves.

 

[DALOLA]

lol.... I just tried to rub the HL knob with my knee..... I had to be practically sliding under the steering wheel to get close to it. How the #!$@ are you guys doing this by accident? Do you have your seat so far up you are practically eating the steering wheel? WTF? (I'm 6'4" with long legs, seat all the way back...)

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