DRL's are DOA

[Motorpsychology]

I have a situation that I'm not too concerned about, but if it can be corrected for free or cheap that would be good. If not, oh well.
I noticed the other day that my Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) were not operating. Usually I can see their glow when behind another vehicle, or pulling up to my dark grey garage door. I have them activated in the driver info display (always have) and I checked by butting the truck up to a curb and left it running in Drive, which is the condition for them to operate; they turn off in Park. Everything else works as designed. There is no specific fuse listed for DRLs in the Owners Manual, I suppose they're related to one or both BCM circuits. I don't have an OBDII connector or a Forscan app. I'm just looking for some guidance, as, if it goes above my rather low threshold of electronic voodoo, I'll takeout to the dealer and see how my 10/150Kmi Bumper To Bumper warranty works. TIA.

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[RangerBill]

I have a situation that I'm not too concerned about, but if it can be corrected for free or cheap that would be good. If not, oh well.
I noticed the other day that my Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) were not operating. Usually I can see their glow when behind another vehicle, or pulling up to my dark grey garage door. I have them activated in the driver info display (always have) and I checked by butting the truck up to a curb and left it running in Drive, which is the condition for them to operate; they turn off in Park. Everything else works as designed. There is no specific fuse listed for DRLs in the Owners Manual, I suppose they're related to one or both BCM circuits. I don't have an OBDII connector or a Forscan app. I'm just looking for some guidance, as, if it goes above my rather low threshold of electronic voodoo, I'll takeout to the dealer and see how my 10/150Kmi Bumper To Bumper warranty works. TIA.

The headlight switch must be in the off position for the DRLs to work on some versions, or in the autolamp position in other versions of the truck. Since you say you have a menu item for this, I believe that yours needs to be in the autolamps position of the headlight switch.

 

[Chris M]

The headlight switch must be in the off position for the DRLs to work.

They work when set to Automatic too.

 

[cfhgarza]

There isn't a fuse for the DRL, the BCM turns them off if there is a short and you'll get an error code you can read with a scan tool.

Do you need to have the headlights set to auto for them to work? It's easy to bump the dial with your knee when getting in/out

 

[Big Blue]

On a US 5G Ranger the headlamp switch must be in the Auto position and the transmission NOT in Park, for the DRLs to work. The DRLs can be turned off in the IPC menus. In Canada, I believe they are required to have the DRLs on anytime the vehicle is running so they will also be on with the switch in off.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Awright which one of you guys turned my headlight switch to off!
That's all it was. I flipped it back to Auto and they came back on.
I usually have it set in the Auto position, except sometimes on a dark day or in light fog I'll turn on the headlights manually, so I must have turned them to Off instead of Auto when I last parked it. An Sr.74y.o. code: Operator Senior Moment. Thanks everyone.

 

[cfhgarza]

Awright which one of you guys turned my headlight switch to off!
That's all it was. I flipped it back to Auto and they came back on.
I usually have it set in the Auto position, except sometimes on a dark day or in light fog I'll turn on the headlights manually, so I must have turned them to Off instead of Auto when I last parked it. An Sr.74y.o. code: Operator Senior Moment. Thanks everyone.

It's super easy to bump that switch when getting in or out

 

[Chris M]

It's super easy to bump that switch when getting in or out

I've done it, for sure.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

On a US 5G Ranger the headlamp switch must be in the Auto position and the transmission NOT in Park, for the DRLs to work. The DRLs can be turned off in the IPC menus. In Canada, I believe they are required to have the DRLs on anytime the vehicle is running so they will also be on with the switch in off.

Yes, “always on” rule for DRLs here. Too many folks either don’t have Auto headlights or have it set to manual On, then they drive around at night, in the dark, with only DRLs on. They likely see the lights reflecting off the car in front of them and nowadays, the dashlights are on with the ignition on, so there’s nothing to alert the driver to their error except a tiny symbol in the cluster.

These “ghost cars” are almost invisible when approaching them from behind until you’re really close - scary at times. Of course, you can flash your lights at them from behind and there’s no reaction.

New legislation in effect is:

• DRLs and Taillights “always on”

or

• Auto mode as default

This way, at the very least, taillights and DRLs will be on even when the driver forgets to turn them on when it gets dark.

 

[got3fords]

It's super easy to bump that switch when getting in or out

Many times the tech working on our vehicles at the dealer will turn them off. Sometimes it takes me a few days to realize it.

 

[rang19ca]

I have bumped the switch too. Doh !

 

[NotBudule2]

Nice you got it without an embarrassing trip to the dealer , same thing happened on my wife's Muranno , after I drove it the auto dimmer quit working and we argued about it cause I didn't do a damn thing to it except drive it ! After a recheck and before she called dealer I found I had done the same thing and moved it off auto , (told her I found a lose wire and blown fuse and decided to save her a trip and just fix it myself and your welcome dear do we have any pie???...we did !!!)

 

[Markubis]

Awright which one of you guys turned my headlight switch to off!
That's all it was. I flipped it back to Auto and they came back on.
I usually have it set in the Auto position, except sometimes on a dark day or in light fog I'll turn on the headlights manually, so I must have turned them to Off instead of Auto when I last parked it. An Sr.74y.o. code: Operator Senior Moment. Thanks everyone.

I bump my headlight rotary switch with my knee every now and then. Probably what happened with you.

 

[Big Blue]

Yes, “always on” rule for DRLs here. Too many folks either don’t have Auto headlights or have it set to manual On, then they drive around at night, in the dark, with only DRLs on. They likely see the lights reflecting off the car in front of them and nowadays, the dashlights are on with the ignition on, so there’s nothing to alert the driver to their error except a tiny symbol in the cluster.

These “ghost cars” are almost invisible when approaching them from behind until you’re really close - scary at times. Of course, you can flash your lights at them from behind and there’s no reaction.

New legislation in effect is:

• DRLs and Taillights “always on”

or

• Auto mode as default

This way, at the very least, taillights and DRLs will be on even when the driver forgets to turn them on when it gets dark.

I have my DRLs set to include the parking lights. That way I ways have tailights. I like it that way, especially when towing my TT.

 

[LaBalbe]

These “ghost cars” are almost invisible when approaching them from behind until you’re really close - scary at times. Of course, you can flash your lights at them from behind and there’s no reaction.

THIS!!!! If for no other reason, this is why I don't like DRLs. I've pulled up next to cars at lights more than once, reached out, knocked on the passenger window, and told the dimwits that they were "running dark" as I like to call it.

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