Daytime Running lights?

[milleron]

EPIC FAIL:

 

I found that my dealer in Columbus was very interested in getting to the bottom of this problem. All they get from Ford, predictably, is "2013 FFHs do not have DRLs and cannot have them enabled," but they've read this forum and they're eager to help their customers.

I went in today, and the service-dept director, the EV guy, and a service rep spent no less than 40 minutes with their $11,000 laptop (yes, that's what Ford charges each dealership for every one of these things, and most dealerships need 5-10 of them). With me watching over their shoulders, they followed GrySql's published instructions (#57, this thread) and tried everything they could think of to come up with a path to "Re-test", but in the Body Control Module, all they could ever get to was "Daytime Running Lights" and it was marked "disabled" (or "not enabled," can't recall for sure which it was). Everything else was grayed out, and "Re-test" was not among the grayed-out items. They even went through the "Reprogramming" menu and waited ten minutes for software to download but it got them no further.

 

In spite of all the time they spent just to confirm what Ford Corporate has been telling them, they still believe that it can be done, and they want to provide this service for their customers.

 

Therefore, could someone who's successfully had the DRLs turned on, please respond with the name of their dealer and a phone number. My guys here in Columbus are willing and ready to pursue this further if there's a Ford techincian somewhere who definitely knows how to do it and is willing to lead them through it one time.

 

Thanks

[Toz]

Has anybody with a '14 tried to have their daytime running lights activated?

[kbailey990]

My dealer turned them on after they called Ford a few times.

The service advisor was Chris Colonel

 

Autonation Ford St. Petersburg

727-323-3400

[kbailey990]

Oh.... My car is a 2013 SE hybrid

[jcg1005]

EPIC FAIL:

 

I found that my dealer in Columbus was very interested in getting to the bottom of this problem. All they get from Ford, predictably, is "2013 FFHs do not have DRLs and cannot have them enabled," but they've read this forum and they're eager to help their customers.

I went in today, and the service-dept director, the EV guy, and a service rep spent no less than 40 minutes with their $11,000 laptop (yes, that's what Ford charges each dealership for every one of these things, and most dealerships need 5-10 of them). With me watching over their shoulders, they followed GrySql's published instructions (#57, this thread) and tried everything they could think of to come up with a path to "Re-test", but in the Body Control Module, all they could ever get to was "Daytime Running Lights" and it was marked "disabled" (or "not enabled," can't recall for sure which it was). Everything else was grayed out, and "Re-test" was not among the grayed-out items. They even went through the "Reprogramming" menu and waited ten minutes for software to download but it got them no further.

 

In spite of all the time they spent just to confirm what Ford Corporate has been telling them, they still believe that it can be done, and they want to provide this service for their customers.

 

Therefore, could someone who's successfully had the DRLs turned on, please respond with the name of their dealer and a phone number. My guys here in Columbus are willing and ready to pursue this further if there's a Ford techincian somewhere who definitely knows how to do it and is willing to lead them through it one time.

 

Thanks

 

This is essentially what I went through yesterday. Sat right with the SA and Technician and saw the same thing.

 

I am close to Canada, and have to go to Toronto next week for business. I will be stopping in a Canadian dealership to see if I can get it done!

[Waldo]

 

This is essentially what I went through yesterday. Sat right with the SA and Technician and saw the same thing.

 

I am close to Canada, and have to go to Toronto next week for business. I will be stopping in a Canadian dealership to see if I can get it done!

 

Canadian dealers don't have access to anything the US dealers don't. They probably have less experience with this anyway, since the cars all come with DRL enabled, so they have no reason to ever turn them on.

 

My guess on the discrepancy amongst the dealers is that some of them probably don't have updated software on their laptops.

[GrySql]

EPIC FAIL:

name of their dealer and a phone number. My guys here in Columbus are willing and ready to pursue this further if there's a Ford techincian somewhere who definitely knows how to do it and is willing to lead them through it one time.

 

South Bay Ford Lincoln

Hawthorne, CA

Service Dept: 310-706-6110

 

I am going to guess that the 're-test' refers to starting the car and observing if the DRL's are indeed on when the gear selector is not in 'Park'.

[IraF]

try this, they got my DRL's on at the same time the fuel module was replaced on a FFH 2013

Paul Miller Ford Inc

975 New Circle Road Ne
Lexington, KY 40505
(855) 715-3467

[jcg1005]

 

Canadian dealers don't have access to anything the US dealers don't. They probably have less experience with this anyway, since the cars all come with DRL enabled, so they have no reason to ever turn them on.

 

My guess on the discrepancy amongst the dealers is that some of them probably don't have updated software on their laptops.

 

Perhaps not, but we will see. Since where I am is close to the border, I am hoping they have the proper software so that they can enable DRL on vehicles Canadians purchase in the US. That happens quite often, depending on the exchange rates, etc.

[jcg1005]

I just reached out to Ford customer service via email as well, and specifically referenced this thread about DRL being enabled and the number of dealers who are having success.

 

I suspect I will get the party line "Fleet Only", but we will see.

[milleron]

I just reached out to Ford customer service via email as well, and specifically referenced this thread about DRL being enabled and the number of dealers who are having success.

 

I suspect I will get the party line "Fleet Only", but we will see.

 

I think you're absolutely right. My service manager showed me the message that he, himself, received after asking this same question, and it was straight from their stock-answer book. If the dealers get a preordained answer from the script-kiddies at Ford, what chance do we have? Ford Corporate and Ford Customer Service will NEVER provide either help for or insight into this question.

[jcg1005]

Update...

 

Ford Customer Service = party line. Not supported.

 

However, as I mentioned previously, I had a trip to Canada coming up. I am currently in the waiting room at Terrace Ford Lincoln in Burlington, ON and they are turning them on as we speak.

 

Score.

[hybridbear]

Update...

 

Ford Customer Service = party line. Not supported.

 

However, as I mentioned previously, I had a trip to Canada coming up. I am currently in the waiting room at Terrace Ford Lincoln in Burlington, ON and they are turning them on as we speak.

 

Score.

Awesome! Hope it actually works for the Canadian dealer.

[jcg1005]

Success. It took them about 15 minutes total AND they washed my car for me!!

 

Not bad!

[GrySql]

Success. It took them about 15 minutes total AND they washed my car for me!!

 

Not bad!

Did you get any data so that when you return home you can help your poor Dealer in Columbus learn their job?

[Toz]

this^^^^^^^^

[jcg1005]

I didn't get any data on it. I specifically picked a Ford/Lincoln dealer because it seems there is a pattern of people having more luck there. I can't believe the service software is that much different, but maybe.

 

They also checked some reference first before saying they could. The service writer checked with a specific technician on it, who was able to say yes or no, then do it when it.

 

Just glad it is done. Of course it doesn't help people who can find a dealer who is capable.

 

I really think there is more than one version or level of software tools for the cars, and that one type can do it, and others can't.

[PASSINOS]

just got my DRL done in south florida. $72

[acdii]

They charged you for it?

[Toz]

They charged you for it?

Seems like a lot of dealers will charge a minimum of one hour labor, even if it only takes 10 min. However if I just bought a 30K+ car from a dealer I would hope that they could comp me a few minutes of Tech time, just for happy customer factor

[acdii]

I guess if you took it in just to have them turned on, I can see them charging for the time. I had them do it when they did the updates, since they were already hooked up.

[jcg1005]

I paid a little to get mind turned on ($59), but I was willing to do so, since I went to a dealer other than where I bought the car. (Since their software wouldn't do it)

[Toz]

I had my dealer turn on my Daytime running lights on my '14 HyTi yesterday. Took about 15 min. The dealer did it for free, but I would have paid to have them turned on. I still cannot belive that Ford does not have that as a standed feature.

[Rmflyfish]

I just recently had my 13 SE in the dealer and asked them to turn the DRL on, which they said they would be happy to do for me... Now the headlight low beams are on all the time? Is that what everyone else has for DRL's. BTW. They only come on in drive, they go off in park...

[Sleddog]

Welcome! They are not actually the low beam. They are a reduced power low beam. And the way you described they operate is correct. I plan on having mine activated when I go in for my first service.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Sleddog