Larry Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 (edited) Posted Yesterday, 03:29 PM This most likely has been talked about before? The sensor in the center of the dash doesn't turn the headlights on soon enough. Has to be pretty dark before they come on. This is a fix that I used. I removed the sensor. I used a small flat blade pocket screw driver to push under each end to release the clip. I ground the blade real thin and smoothed with emory paper so not to scratch the dash. I cleaned the sensor with rubbing alcohol. Set the sensor in a small plastic cap to keep it from falling over. I used flat black paint. I sprayed one thin coat. Let dry. Used a paper towel to rub the over spray off, leaving it semi shiny. Looks just like OEM when installed. I did put too much paint on the first try. Rubbing alcohol and a rag will remove it. Now the lights come on when the sky is glumy and overcast. I've had it painted for three weeks seems to do what I wanted it to. If it turns out, the lights come on too often I can remove some or all the paint. 2013 Edge SEL Larry Northern,In Edited March 29, 2013 by 1edge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 The picture that I posted was before I installed window ventvisors and front slash guards. May remove the slash guards as I don't see where the help that much. Larry Northern,In Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ls973800 Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 I had posted about a month or so ago about the same complaint, the auto lights not coming on soon enough. I was going to try and find the top cover of the sensor in a junk yard and try making some type of cover for it. Something made out of a mesh material which would block some of the light to allow it to turn on sooner. I like your idea better. I didn't think the top cover part would just pop off with a screwdriver. I was afraid I would have to get under the dash to remove it. Thanks for the tip and hopefully in the next several weeks I can get to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 The unit will pop out if you push the end clips in with a thin small flat blade screwdriver. Slide screwdriver under either left or right side of sensor get one side up, push other side clip in. Pull sensor up a few inches, disconnect wire. Just squeeze clip. Larry Northern,In Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I posted pics of sensor removal. Sorry about the blur. I used a small paint can lid to hold sensor to paint. Put small piece of paper towel in lid to steady senser. Larry Northern,In 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitulu Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I wonder if the Niteshades paint would work better...I may look into this as I am noticing that it takes forever for the lights to come on when it is gloomy and starting to get dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc300c Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I love threads like this. You made a very creative fix. It's very cool to see people make these kind of changes so there cars function exactly the way they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Kitulu, Never heard of nightshades paint. Where do you buy it? Thanks Larry Northern,In Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 8, 2013 Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 (edited) http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001THRG9Q Edited June 8, 2013 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted June 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 Nightshades would probably work very good. The only problem I see it states the paint is almost impossible to remove. The cheap flat black I used will come off with rubbing alcohol and some work. No damage to the plastic. I know because I sprayed too much on the first time. Took it all off and started over. Just one quick spray across the top of the sensor. Let dry overnight, buff the overspray off with paper towel or cloth. You can't tell buy looking the sensor has been painted. I practiced with other items to get the pattern I wanted. Update on this fix.. I've noticed on very dark overcast days the lights will come on ( that's good ) but if the sun peeks out and shines on the front of the car the lights will go off. Sun hides again, lights will come back on. Could be annoying to someone you a following.. So in this case ( rare ) I turn the lights on manually. This fix isn't perfect. Maybe that's why ford made the sensor the way they did?????? Larry Northern,Indiana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted June 8, 2013 Report Share Posted June 8, 2013 I have some spare lamin-x here if anyone needs a piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Never thought of using lamin-x. Good idea !!!!!!! Larry Northern,In. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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