Headlight Switch on Fusion Dashboard

[atherton]

I recently purchased a 2010 Ford Fusion. Very nice car. One problem I have is that my headlight switch on the dashboard does not light up in the dark. When you open the door, all different lights come on, when you start the car, all the lights to a/c, radio, various dashboard lights, etc., come on - everything except the headlight switch. I literally had to feel around the dashboard, in the dark, to find where the headlights were - I still couldn't find them, so I opened the door while the car was parked and running and the dashboard headlight switch still didn't light up....I finally found the headlight switch after much frustration and when I turned it on, then the icons to the headlights were lit up. This is quite dangerous to not have any idea where the headlight switch is in the dark - a major flaw.....is there anyone else whose headlight switch also does not light up on the dashboard when opening the car door and when starting the car in the dark? Is there a way to have the headlight switch light up on the dashboard like all the other indicators on the dashboard? If not, I have to have a flashlight handy just to see where the headlight indicator is on the dashboard when it's dark outside. The headlight switch isn't in a normal spot on the car - nobody would ever know where to find it - they should have been on the steering wheel - a turn signal/wiper on one side and headlight on the other.

[TX 2010 Ford Fusion Sport]

Hi atherton,

 

Sorry to hear you are having a problem locating the headlight switch on you 2010 Fusion since it doesn't illuminate. The headlight switch is exactly where I expect it to be on my 2010 Fusion. It's in the same place as the headlight switch on my 2008 Edge. I never have to touch either vehicle though - each has the Autolamp control and illuminate. The headlight switch in the same place on my wife 1999 Mercedes Benz, but that vehicle doesn't have the Autolamp control feature.

 

I would contact your dealer, and ask them about this.

[xmech2k]

Keep a flashlight handy? Dangerous? A major flaw? Triple post? :redcard:

[FFHdriver]

I recently purchased a 2010 Ford Fusion. Very nice car. One problem I have is that my headlight switch on the dashboard does not light up in the dark. When you open the door, all different lights come on, when you start the car, all the lights to a/c, radio, various dashboard lights, etc., come on - everything except the headlight switch. I literally had to feel around the dashboard, in the dark, to find where the headlights were - I still couldn't find them, so I opened the door while the car was parked and running and the dashboard headlight switch still didn't light up....I finally found the headlight switch after much frustration and when I turned it on, then the icons to the headlights were lit up. This is quite dangerous to not have any idea where the headlight switch is in the dark - a major flaw.....is there anyone else whose headlight switch also does not light up on the dashboard when opening the car door and when starting the car in the dark? Is there a way to have the headlight switch light up on the dashboard like all the other indicators on the dashboard? If not, I have to have a flashlight handy just to see where the headlight indicator is on the dashboard when it's dark outside. The headlight switch isn't in a normal spot on the car - nobody would ever know where to find it - they should have been on the steering wheel - a turn signal/wiper on one side and headlight on the other.

IMO if after the first day of ownership you can't remember where the headlight switch is you have a serious problem.

[atherton]

This is the first Ford I bought....so I was unfamiliar with where the headlight switch was on the dashboard as all my other cars had the headlights located on the steering wheel. In any case, why does Ford have all the indicators and switches lighting up, in the dark, when the car door is opened and when you start the car - the only indicator that doesn't light on the dashboard is the headlight switch....I think that's a reasonable question. The headlight is the most important indicator to illuminate in the dark....sure, after a while you guess where it is, but it would be helpful to have the switch illuminate like all the rest of the instrument panel. I'm just wondering if there is something I need to do to enable this indicator to illuminate at night - perhaps a fuse is not working or there is a "dimmer" type switch somewhere?

[Viper725]

This is the first Ford I bought....so I was unfamiliar with where the headlight switch was on the dashboard as all my other cars had the headlights located on the steering wheel. In any case, why does Ford have all the indicators and switches lighting up, in the dark, when the car door is opened and when you start the car - the only indicator that doesn't light on the dashboard is the headlight switch....I think that's a reasonable question. The headlight is the most important indicator to illuminate in the dark....sure, after a while you guess where it is, but it would be helpful to have the switch illuminate like all the rest of the instrument panel. I'm just wondering if there is something I need to do to enable this indicator to illuminate at night - perhaps a fuse is not working or there is a "dimmer" type switch somewhere?

I came to this forum for the same reason. Just didn't seem right that the only thing in the entire interior NOT to light up is the headlight switch. According to the service manager, this switch does not light up. He checked other 2010 Fusions on the lot and none lit up. He didn't understand why either. Let me know what you find out. This seems to me to be a safety issue for some.

[akirby]

If you're moving in the dark without lights on - it's already too late.

 

Come on folks - at worst it's a minor annoyance. You turn the lights on before you start moving or before it actually gets dark and once you turn the lights on ONCE you know exactly where the switch is.

 

Safety issue? :baby:

[xmech2k]

This whole light situation shows what a piece of junk the Fusion is. Trade it in for a Camry or Sonata before it's too late!

[TX 2010 Ford Fusion Sport]

This whole light situation shows what a piece of junk the Fusion is. Trade it in for a Camry or Sonata before it's too late!

 

:hysterical:

[Bob B.]

This is the first Ford I bought....so I was unfamiliar with where the headlight switch was on the dashboard as all my other cars had the headlights located on the steering wheel. In any case, why does Ford have all the indicators and switches lighting up, in the dark, when the car door is opened and when you start the car - the only indicator that doesn't light on the dashboard is the headlight switch....I think that's a reasonable question. The headlight is the most important indicator to illuminate in the dark....sure, after a while you guess where it is, but it would be helpful to have the switch illuminate like all the rest of the instrument panel. I'm just wondering if there is something I need to do to enable this indicator to illuminate at night - perhaps a fuse is not working or there is a "dimmer" type switch somewhere?

 

My headlights come on when they think the time is right.

[sullied]

If you're moving in the dark without lights on - it's already too late.

 

Come on folks - at worst it's a minor annoyance. You turn the lights on before you start moving or before it actually gets dark and once you turn the lights on ONCE you know exactly where the switch is.

 

Safety issue? :baby:

Couldn't agree with you more. If it's such a problem, just place them in auto and there's no worrying about switching them on or off...it does it for you! This is just as much of a safety issue as the floor mats causing accelerators to stick.

[jimbean95]

I don't have Auto Headlights. When I hit the unlock button on my Keyless Remote. The lights turn on and the headlight switch is lit up. As long as I turn the switch on before I turn on the Ignition. It's fine. When I turn on the car, then the swtich is turned off. On the 2011 SE's they finally put Auto Headlight standard. If i only waited 2 more months...........Life goes on.

[Beachboy]

To the OP: I've driven numerous Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, VW, and Mercedes automobiles and SUV's over my lifetime. They ALL had the headlight switch in the same relative position. In the old days, you pulled the switch out, now with most cars, you turn the switch. I've NEVER seen a car with the headlight switch on the steering wheel! What brand of cars have headlight switches on the steering wheel?

 

You should always familiarize yourself anytime you're driving a new car as to where the major controls are.

[drolds1]

To the OP: I've driven numerous Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, VW, and Mercedes automobiles and SUV's over my lifetime. They ALL had the headlight switch in the same relative position. In the old days, you pulled the switch out, now with most cars, you turn the switch. I've NEVER seen a car with the headlight switch on the steering wheel! What brand of cars have headlight switches on the steering wheel?

 

You should always familiarize yourself anytime you're driving a new car as to where the major controls are.

 

 

The OP probably meant that the headlight switch was on the turn signal stalk, not the steering wheel itself. Common in Japanese cars. He could have been more careful with word choice.

[rfruth]

Yep on my old rice burner (a 2000 Honda Civic) the headlight switch was on the turn signal stalk, so the Fusion took some getting used to ((about 10 seconds worth)) the Fusion is more user friendly IMO