What is with the headlights not turning off!!?

I’ve not dealt with this issue (knock on wood). The “auto” setting on the headlights works very much the same as my ‘14 Escape did. I’d take it to your dealership to investigate a faulty sensor…

good luck!

Oh nooooooo!

I looked it up and here is one of five similar posts I have found (not noting the site name) but the message is the same and disturbing. Please chime in if you have the same issue b/c it seems there is more than one example out there!

Read below from dif site...

"I am experiencing a strange behavior with my headlights.

When I set the dial to off, turn off the ignition, exit the vehicle and lock it, upon returning, the dial is set to auto. Video attached.

I have found my headlights on a few times when parked. In those cases, the dial was definitely set by me to the off position, but I found it changed to the on position.

In addition, sometimes when turning on the vehicle and driving, I have noticed there is no indicator illuminating at all, with nothing lit. Turning the dial "wakes it up".

Has anyone experienced these things? Possible bad switch or programming bug/failure?

Another

"Thanks. If that is the case then at least it explains what is seen in the video.

But I definitely have returned to my parked vehicle at night with the lights on and the dial set to on. I know I didn't park it that way.

Also the "sleeping" dial only adds to my suspicion something is not correct. "

I hit the switch with my knee getting out occasionally. I have to restart and get it back to automatic and am good to go...

My husband forgot to make sure the passenger door was shut and I couldn't figure out why the parking lights wouldn't shut off. It's the only light related issue I've had. Is yours a 21?

Porkchop4464

Since day one of owning my Bronco, the truck headlights have stressed me out.

I worry everytime I turn the truck off as they will not always turn off.

I never switch it from "auto" and yet sometimes I have to switch it back to "auto" as it seems to switch itself (I have no idea hell how it switches itself).

I can't tell you how many times I have turned the truck off, locked it with the fob outside, only to have to open it back up because the headlights will not go out no matter how long I stand and wait or click the fob.

I have been in parking lots for five minutes trying to get the stupid things off.

When I am desparate and need to leave, I just quickly unlock the truck, get in, push the button, then push the button again to turn it off, then get back out and "fob lock" it all one last time; the lights will then turn off, usually.

Today, they went dark in the garage after I pulled it in to get it out of the heat, but when I went out 20 minutes later to get something from the garage, the damn head and tails lights were on?

Is there something very obvious I am doing wrong?
How does it change itself from auto headlight to another setting?

Thought, ideas, similar situations?


Help!

Pork



s

Hi there. Can you send us a DM with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into this for you.

Easy check:

When you turn off your vehicle and open you car door... if you hear an audible chime at you, then you need to pay attention and it either means you left the vehicle in accessory mode or the headlights on. If it doesn't chime at you, then it's on the "Auto" setting and should turn off automatically after some period of time (usually less than 5 minutes).

If it doesn't behave that way, then something is wrong.

This has happened to me a couple times over the last 10 months of ownership. At first I thought it was bc my front marker light was out (been out since new and still out) but I dont think that is it.

I also noticed whenever I turn auto lights to off, then return home and power down...the rear dome light sometimes stays on, which sometimes goes off on its own vs other times you have to push it to off after everything else is off including headlights.

Been awhile since it happened but if I recall correctly I was able to fix the exterior lighting issue (the day it happens) by standing in my garage and pressing the lock button TWICE on my fob. Sometimes I hit the unlock button right after locking bc I normally don't lock it in garage. *This always fixes it (locking twice and/or unlocking).

Oh and sometimes when exiting the bronco, not much anymore but a lot last year, my beauty ring headlights would not turn on (perimeter lighting) when exiting. Did same lock/unlock method and fixed it.

Def a fault somewhere in the auto headlight controller. However, thankfully no issues on mine i.e. battery drain AND haven't noticed it happen again the last 4-6 months (lights staying on AND not turning on). Hopefully the light gremlin is gone forever.

Hope this helps

Gremlins are real.
Can you tape it in the off position and see if it moves?

I have issues with mine too. Since I figured out that it was happening randomly, I make it a point to be sure the lights are switched off, but I still walk outside sometimes, and they have mysteriously turned themselves back on

Jakob1972

Can you tape it in the off position and see if it moves?

Wait a second. Are you saying that the headlight knob is motor-driven?
What possible use would that serve?

3Dogs

Wait a second. Are you saying that the headlight knob is motor-driven?
What possible use would that serve?

I don't think so. I just wondering if the knob is loose enough to turn on its own or something.

There have been several mentions of the knob changing by itself. I don’t have my Bronco yet, so I assumed that it was some type of digital knob and a display on the LCD, which could easily change by a software fault.
But, if the knob itself is moving, then, yeah - you are hitting it with your knee (I used to do this often in on car I owned).

3Dogs

There have been several mentions of the knob changing by itself. I don’t have my Bronco yet, so I assumed that it was some type of digital knob and a display on the LCD, which could easily change by a software fault.
But, if the knob itself is moving, then, yeah - you are hitting it with your knee (I used to do this often in on car I owned).

The knob doesn't move itself. After turning off the engine, the light selector electronically and automatically re-sets itself back to the auto position.

PSUTE

I hit the switch with my knee getting out occasionally. I have to restart and get it back to automatic and am good to go...

Now that is def a possibile culpret

NT AUTOMOTIVE

The knob doesn't move itself. After turning off the engine, the light selector electronically and automatically re-sets itself back to the auto position.

Agreed. I have seen that happen. It does move it on it own. Not teh knob, but the light that selectes the position. Weird stuff! Point is, after all the comments I know I am not nuts! Yay! Also, for better por worse, guys and gals, check your lights when you leave the truck. I couldn't imagine the nightmare of running one of these things dead, the issues with computer resetting, bla bla bla all is prob a nightmare.

Now to add to all of this, don' even get me strated with trying to use the radio with an mp3 player/card for music.
It slows the radio computer so bad it glitches and gets itself upset and shuts down.

Really, no kidding. Not a strong computer in the radio at all. That's a whole other post.

Pork

My 2021 does the same thing. I turn it to the off position or the automatic position and it changes on it’s own. I’m not hitting the switch with my knee. Guess I need to take it back to dealer for a replacement switch.

Here ya go;

“
From the thread on recalls, tsb, etc:
SSM 50842 - 2021-2022 Bronco - Headlamps Turn On
By Themselves When Vehicle Is Off - DTC B1533
Some 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles may exhibit a
condition of intermittent headlamp operation while the
vehicle is OFF and have diagnostic trouble code (DTC)
B1533stored in the body control module (BCM). This
may be due to the internal logic within the headlamp
switch. Switch and/or module replacement will not
resolve this condition. Headlamp operation is not
affected while the vehicle is ON. A new headlamp
switch is currently under development to correct this
condition. Let the customer know they can continue to
drive the vehicle and schedule a follow-up
appointment in October 2022, when parts are
expected to become available. Follow up with the
customer to confirm the appointment once OASIS is
updated with the repair information”

Mine does it too. I turn off the headlights. Park and shutdown. I get back in, start up and the switch is on Auto.

tmbierman

My 2021 does the same thing. I turn it to the off position or the automatic position and it changes on it’s own. I’m not hitting the switch with my knee. Guess I need to take it back to dealer for a replacement switch.

I have a feeling that this will be one of those "we can't reproduce the problem" type of things.