Ok this is a weird one

[Dr_Strangelove]

That's what I was initially thinking, but isn't the "auto" icon still lit on the dash regardless?

If you're talking the green headlights icon that appears next to the gear selector display on the dash of the XLT - the answer is no, it will not be illuminated when the truck is in "DRL" Mode, even though from the outside looking at the truck there is really no difference between "DRL" and "Headlights" on the halogen model of this truck. The green icon will only appear when the daylight sensor has determined it is dark enough outside to have the headlights on.

My truck is stock, I always leave my headlight switch in "Auto." And I just checked this operation for you.

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[Dgc333]

I am confused by the reference to DRL. I thought the string of LEDs in the bottom of the headlight housing were the DRLs. In my Lariat they are on any time the engine is running completely independent of the head light switch position. There are green indicator lights in the dash that let you know the headlights and fog lights are on, they are not and auto headlight indicator.

Am I missing something?

Also, the auto headlight sensor turns the headlights on earlier and turns them off latter than I would if turning them on and off manually. Also, anytime the wipers are on the headlights turn on regardless of the headlight switch position or how bright it is outside.

 

[veedubtuner]

If you're talking the green headlights icon that appears next to the gear selector display on the dash of the XLT - the answer is no, it will not be illuminated when the truck is in "DRL" Mode, even though from the outside looking at the truck there is really no difference between "DRL" and "Headlights" on the halogen model of this truck. The green icon will only appear when the daylight sensor has determined it is dark enough outside to have the headlights on.

My truck is stock, I always leave my headlight switch in "Auto." And I just checked this operation for you.

Thanks, I think the whole fog light thing is what drove me down this rabbit hole of confusion lol.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Right on - yeah, the fog light illuminates on the left side of the gear indicator and the headlights on the right. The headlight indicator isn't indicating "auto mode" but it's indicating the headlights are on because of darkness. So you won't necessarily be guaranteed to see the right side indicator illuminated to reassure you if the lights are in auto or not. As far as I know the only way to be sure of this is to visually inspect the knob.

 

[Big Blue]

Also, anytime the wipers are on the headlights turn on regardless of the headlight switch position or how bright it is outside.

That is actually a law now in most states. That when you need to have your wipers on, you are required to have your headlights on. Another one of those recent changes that was not well publicized and not well enforced.

 

[subquark]

I never use auto on because I rarely drive at night and when I do I'm just use to turning on my headlights. As far as the fogs I would think they'd still work but it could be those darn Gremlins again.

.

or too much 303 ...

 

[veedubtuner]

As far as I know the only way to be sure of this is to visually inspect the knob.

That's what she said

 

[airline tech]

I am confused by the reference to DRL. I thought the string of LEDs in the bottom of the headlight housing were the DRLs. In my Lariat they are on any time the engine is running completely independent of the head light switch position. There are green indicator lights in the dash that let you know the headlights and fog lights are on, they are not and auto headlight indicator.

Am I missing something?

Also, the auto headlight sensor turns the headlights on earlier and turns them off latter than I would if turning them on and off manually. Also, anytime the wipers are on the headlights turn on regardless of the headlight switch position or how bright it is outside.

The LED Strip - for the Factory LED Housings are (Dual) Park Lights & DRL Function
The (Factory Halo's) use the Park / Turn Bulb as (Dual Park & Turn) but with the Lariat that bulb is still the same dual filament bulb but is not wired for both functions (Only Turn) the park function is moved to the LED Strip.

LED Headlamps Functional Check:
Note: The DRL (Bright) will only be active (In ANY GEAR POSITION including Neutral) - Except Park
So, an Ops Check would be (Set Parking Brake) and place in neutral if you do not have a reflective surface in front of the truck or a helper.


1. LED Strip - On and Bright = DRL
a. With Headlight switch in Auto (Daylight) - So DRL Mode

2. LED Strip - On and Dim = Park Lights
a. Headlight switch in (Headlight) and (Auto - Nighttime)
b. Headlight Switch in Park Lights
c. Activation of Entry / Exit Lights along with Park Lights, Bed Lights, Puddle Lights, Door Locks Activation Etc.

As far as dash indicators we have:
1. Foglamps (On) Indicator, I would have to check for sure, but I believe that this will only light when the (Headlamp) indicator is also lit.

2. Headlamps (On) Indicator, this is only on when the headlamps are commanded on via (Automatically or Manually)
3. Auto High Beam (Indicator) - this is lit weather the high beams or low beams are lit; this just indicates that you have (Auto High Beam) selection activated and will also on be lit when the Headlamps (ON) indicator is also lit.
4. High Beam (ON) Indicator, only lit when the High Beams are actually (ON)


Headlight Activation - With Wipers
In (Auto) Position - Headlamps and its daylight (Auto Lamps Not Triggered - On)
If the wipers are activated (for clean - washer wipe, Delay or Rain Sense) then the headlights will (NOT) trigger on.
If the Wiper switch is placed in (Low or High) then the headlights (WILL) trigger on.

Commanded (On) withing 10-Seconds after switching the wipers on and commanded (OFF) 60-Seconds after switching the wipers off.

So, to sum it up - The wipers have to be in (Constant) mode either Low or High for the Headlamps to be commanded (ON) automatically in daylight operations and you have the Headlamp Switch in (AUTO)

If just one of those features that are present on the truck that you never pay attention to, but YES, some states if is a REQUIRED BY LAW function.

 

[Dgc333]

The LED Strip - for the Factory LED Housings are (Dual) Park Lights & DRL Function
The (Factory Halo's) use the Park / Turn Bulb as (Dual Park & Turn) but with the Lariat that bulb is still the same dual filament bulb but is not wired for both functions (Only Turn) the park function is moved to the LED Strip.

LED Headlamps Functional Check:
Note: The DRL (Bright) will only be active (In ANY GEAR POSITION including Neutral) - Except Park
So, an Ops Check would be (Set Parking Brake) and place in neutral if you do not have a reflective surface in front of the truck or a helper.


1. LED Strip - On and Bright = DRL
a. With Headlight switch in Auto (Daylight) - So DRL Mode

2. LED Strip - On and Dim = Park Lights
a. Headlight switch in (Headlight) and (Auto - Nighttime)
b. Headlight Switch in Park Lights
c. Activation of Entry / Exit Lights along with Park Lights, Bed Lights, Puddle Lights, Door Locks Activation Etc.

As far as dash indicators we have:
1. Foglamps (On) Indicator, I would have to check for sure, but I believe that this will only light when the (Headlamp) indicator is also lit.

2. Headlamps (On) Indicator, this is only on when the headlamps are commanded on via (Automatically or Manually)
3. Auto High Beam (Indicator) - this is lit weather the high beams or low beams are lit; this just indicates that you have (Auto High Beam) selection activated and will also on be lit when the Headlamps (ON) indicator is also lit.
4. High Beam (ON) Indicator, only lit when the High Beams are actually (ON)


Headlight Activation - With Wipers
In (Auto) Position - Headlamps and its daylight (Auto Lamps Not Triggered - On)
If the wipers are activated (for clean - washer wipe, Delay or Rain Sense) then the headlights will (NOT) trigger on.
If the Wiper switch is placed in (Low or High) then the headlights (WILL) trigger on.

Commanded (On) withing 10-Seconds after switching the wipers on and commanded (OFF) 60-Seconds after switching the wipers off.

So, to sum it up - The wipers have to be in (Constant) mode either Low or High for the Headlamps to be commanded (ON) automatically in daylight operations and you have the Headlamp Switch in (AUTO)

If just one of those features that are present on the truck that you never pay attention to, but YES, some states if is a REQUIRED BY LAW function.

Thanks for the info. I have noticed that the LED string in the housing is brighter than other times but was never interested enough to determine when.
FWIW, the head lights come on when the wipers are in one of the intermittent settings too. I seldom use constant mode.
Also, I tried the auto high beams when I first got the truck in 21 and found them annoying and distracting so I turned them off. Same for the rain sending wipers turned them off after giving them a try.

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