F-250 Dash/Interior Lights

[Beavis]

I picked up my new truck today: 2008 Ford F-250. As I'm playing with all the features, I can't get the interior lights to shut off like normal. Normally, the same switch or controller that dims the dash lights allows you to shut off the interior lights; in this case it doesn't. ANY THOUGHTS ??

THANKS

 

[DieselPower]

Could you explain a little more. Do they not go off at all and what do you mean by normal (shuts off when you close the door)? Many modern vehicles have the interior lights controlled by the vehicles ECM. My Impala is a good example. The interior lights stay on for about 15-20 seconds after you close the door and then shut off or shut off as soon as the key is inserted into the ignition. My exterior lights are also ECM controlled. I can adjust the exterior light stay on time after engine shut off from between 15 seconds and 1 minute. They are programable through the radio. Probably the best place to start is the owners manual.

 

[Beavis]

When you close the doors, they stay on for a few seconds. When you lock the doors and walk away, they stay on for a few seconds. All that is pretty normal; and like with your Impala, a person can adjust the length of time,etc.

My situation is as follows: With my past several ford products, and with most vehicles that I'm familiar with; when you turn the knob that brightens or dims the dash lights, you can usually shut off the interior lights so that when you open the doors the interior lights do not come on. With some vehicles there is actually a seperate knob or switch that gives you the choice of "on", "off", or "door".

My goal is to be able to open the doors in the dark without the lights coming on so that I don't wake the baby when taking her to day care.

Thanks

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My last 4 Ford trucks (92, 98, 02 and 06) interior lights all came on when you open the door. I do not recall there being any shutoff but then again I didn't want to shut the lights off. I would consult your owners manual and see what it tells you.

 

[DieselPower]

Like Robert all the Fords I have owned I wasn't able to make the interior lights not come on when I opened the door, short of removing the light bulb.

 

[Beavis]

Like Robert all the Fords I have owned I wasn't able to make the interior lights not come on when I opened the door, short of removing the light bulb.

My experience has been exactly the opposite.

I just traded off a 2005 Explorer, my work vehicles consist of a 2008 Expedition and 2003 Chevy 1500, past personal vehicles include 93' and 98' Explorers, 2004 F-150, etc. and all of them have allowed my to shut off the interior light. The list of past vehicles can include Toyota, Honda, and Dodge; so this isn't just a Ford thing.

I have searched the owner's manual (before making any post on the forum) and it addresses the interior/dash light control. It states that rotating it all the way up turns on the interior dome lights but doesn't address shutting it off.

The long and short of it is: I guess this vehicle will not allow me to open the doors without an interior light coming on. (short of removing the bulbs)

Why would a person want to do this you may ask? For one thing, it is a security issue; you may want to exit your vehicle without being "spotlighted/illuminated" most police vehicles operate this way. During the summer months, a person may want to leave a door open without an interior light filling the cab with bugs. At 6:15 in the morning, I want to be able to put my 5 month old child in the vehicle without having lights on so she doesn't wake up for the drive to daycare. I'm sure this list could be a MILE long, but these are just a few examples.

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[wushaw]

If there is no provision in the owners manual to clarify on how to shut the dome light off then you can try to bypass the driver door switch or whichever one you want if.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My experience has been exactly the opposite.

I just traded off a 2005 Explorer, my work vehicles consist of a 2008 Expedition and 2003 Chevy 1500, past personal vehicles include 93' and 98' Explorers, 2004 F-150, etc. and all of them have allowed my to shut off the interior light. The list of past vehicles can include Toyota, Honda, and Dodge; so this isn't just a Ford thing.

I have searched the owner's manual (before making any post on the forum) and it addresses the interior/dash light control. It states that rotating it all the way up turns on the interior dome lights but doesn't address shutting it off.

The long and short of it is: I guess this vehicle will not allow me to open the doors without an interior light coming on. (short of removing the bulbs)

Why would a person want to do this you may ask? For one thing, it is a security issue; you may want to exit your vehicle without being "spotlighted/illuminated" most police vehicles operate this way. During the summer months, a person may want to leave a door open without an interior light filling the cab with bugs. At 6:15 in the morning, I want to be able to put my 5 month old child in the vehicle without having lights on so she doesn't wake up for the drive to daycare. I'm sure this list could be a MILE long, but these are just a few examples.

Thanks for your assistance.

I understand completely why you would want to turn the light off. I wish I could turn it off at times also for similar reasons as yours. I just never have noticed a way to do so. Well, the easy way would be to pull the bulb out if you don't need it but then if you do need the light.... If you find an answer please post it up as I am curious.

 

[jimmysisson]

How about if you pull the light and interrupt the power wire with a toggle switch. Maybe reinforce the headliner to hold it. As long as you remember to shut it off before getting out, you'll have the light only when you want it.
Jim

 

[Beavis]

With it being a new truck I wasn't really looking at making modifications, I guess I'm just a little disappointed with it not having that feature.

I hauled five loads of rock yesterday and have to say that I'm happy with the trucks performance. (photos)

 

[Matt_Jr]

Nice setup. I always liked white.

I'm with adding a switch.

 

[ScottAR]

This doesn't solve your problem directly, Put a red light in the dome light... It will be less
startling and won't blind you. Mom's Mercury has the lighting controls but neither Dad's ranger nor my F350 have them. Neither truck has the premium trim options though.

 

[jocww]

its brand new ask the dealer to show you

 

[aczlan]

I think that on my parents '99 E350 van you can push in and turn the door switch (in the doorjamb), this makes it so that it doesn't pop out and keeps the light from turning on for that door. you can do this for each door that you want to keep the lights off for, might be worth looking in the manual to see if yours does the same.

Aaron Z

 

[tlfbx23]

Go to the Ford Truck Enthusiast Forum and post in the Super Duty forum. They will be able to help.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Ford truck and SUV owners and enthusiasts Community And Information Source.

 

[unreconstructed]

The red bulb not a bad idea--just like the red lens in those Army flashlights. I suppose there are red bulbs to fit??

 

[ScottAR]

Depending on bulb number... Yes. At least one that will fit and work.

 

[Soundguy]

With it being a new truck I wasn't really looking at making modifications, I guess I'm just a little disappointed with it not having that feature.

)

Did they force you to buy it.. or did you buy it voulentarilly?????

It had or lacked whatever features when you wrote the check.. kind hard on ford for you to be disappointed that it doesn't have something AFTER THE FACT.

soundguy

 

[Beavis]

Did they force you to buy it.. or did you buy it voulentarilly?????

It had or lacked whatever features when you wrote the check.. kind hard on ford for you to be disappointed that it doesn't have something AFTER THE FACT.

soundguy

Easy now, no need to get nasty over something so simple.

You are correct, I bought the truck voluntarily and I'd buy it again; with or without the ability to shut off the interior light. Something so small was not on my checklist, especially since EVERY vehicle I've ever driven had that feature; just like a steering wheel and tires. I'm a Ford guy, so I'm not attacking them but another example would be: On my 1993 and 1998 Ford Explorers, the roof rack cross bars had small rubber strips on them. The small rubber strip provided some grip when you would place an item up there before strapping it down. You could place a ladder up there without it sliding off while you took your time strapping it down. After buying my 2005 Explorer I placed a ladder up there only to have it start to slide off (almost scratching the paint on a new vehicle) because the cross bars no longer had rubber strips on them. I really liked the vehicle and got many good miles out of it, but I was a little disappointed with Ford's design change.

Have a safe weekend.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You will be seeing option deletes right and left. My farmer buddy just bought a 08 Dmax 4x4. He was disappointed to find out they remove the pto from the Allison. He read it only save something like $5 per truck but it adds up. He had plans for that pto to run a pump but to add it back will cost major $$$$. He now wishes he had his 05 back.

Chris