Auto lights not working correctly - Taurus Car Club of America : Ford Taurus Forum

Breeves002 · 09-26-2012, 12:15 PM

Hello! This forum has saved me many times and here is yet another small problem with my 2000 sable. I have the LS premium with auto lights. Recently they stopped functioning correctly. If I have it set on auto, the dash lights and 'parking lights' (or whatever they are called, the first click on the lights to the right after off) will come on when it is dark enough making me assume the lights are on. Then I start driving and realize they are not. I simply just leave them off now and turn them on (along with the fog lights which I do not believe turn on in auto mode anyways) when it gets dark.

Anyone have an idea if there is a simple fix? Or is it nothing that can easily be remedied? Of course I'm not going to spend more than a few dollars on this since its such a silly convience/luxury issue. I can easily turn the lights on myself, I just like a 100% functional car.

The only reason this has ever been a problem for me is my dad was driving my car and thought the lights were on and got a ticket for driving with lights off. The lights are quite dim anyways. Anyone know what replacement bulbs are very bright? Under $60 for a set?
Thanks in advance!

sheila · 09-26-2012, 12:56 PM

Might check/replace sun load sensor on the dash. Iirc, Nick (Bull Geek) has a nice tutorial with pics in the Topic Finder. If needed, may source for cheap from a self service salvage yard. X-travisions are good bulbs for the money.

04 SEL · 09-26-2012, 01:26 PM

Use a headlight restoration kit and buy XtraVisions or SilverStars. Admittedly, the SilverStars don't last quite as long. I've got the XtraVisions in my car and I like them.

Breeves002 · 01-07-2013, 05:30 PM

I replaced the sunload sensor today. It was one from the junkyard so I don't know if it actually functioned correctly!

It's possible the one I got was a dud, but my autolamps still do not work. Same symptom.

it'sthatcar · 01-07-2013, 06:17 PM

Not sure about the Autolamp issue...but as far as headlights go, I bought a set of Philips Crystal Vision Ultra's off Amazon or ebay for around $20 and they work very nicely. They are as close to the color of natural daylight as you can get in a halogen bulb, supposedly.

Tom S · 01-07-2013, 06:47 PM

I had looked at that circuit a little bit when I was thinking about adding them. If it is only turning on the parking lights in auto I think that is like a SJB issue.

Breeves002 · 01-07-2013, 06:48 PM

Ahh so I need a new sjb. Ill go back Wednesday and grab the one from a sable that was identical to mine except for Mach.

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

pyxu619 · 01-07-2013, 08:05 PM

what is a sjb? I'm having the same issue.

behlinla · 01-07-2013, 08:13 PM

SJB = Smart Junction Box It's the body control module that controls all the lighting and electrical function (locks, windows, etc).

On 2003 and earlier it's called a GEM (generic electronics module).

sousa632 · 01-07-2013, 08:32 PM

Try this........ Possible Sun Load Sensor Fix

I'm going to try it one of these days. Can't beat the price.

09-26-2012, 12:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,011 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	Auto lights not working correctly Hello! This forum has saved me many times and here is yet another small problem with my 2000 sable. I have the LS premium with auto lights. Recently they stopped functioning correctly. If I have it set on auto, the dash lights and 'parking lights' (or whatever they are called, the first click on the lights to the right after off) will come on when it is dark enough making me assume the lights are on. Then I start driving and realize they are not. I simply just leave them off now and turn them on (along with the fog lights which I do not believe turn on in auto mode anyways) when it gets dark. Anyone have an idea if there is a simple fix? Or is it nothing that can easily be remedied? Of course I'm not going to spend more than a few dollars on this since its such a silly convience/luxury issue. I can easily turn the lights on myself, I just like a 100% functional car. The only reason this has ever been a problem for me is my dad was driving my car and thought the lights were on and got a ticket for driving with lights off. The lights are quite dim anyways. Anyone know what replacement bulbs are very bright? Under $60 for a set? Thanks in advance! __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE*

09-26-2012, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
sheila Crazy Devoted Member Member Number: 10865 Join Date: Dec 2006 Visit: My Garage Posts: 8,861 Trader Score: 1 reviews Rep Power: 21	Might check/replace sun load sensor on the dash. Iirc, Nick (Bull Geek) has a nice tutorial with pics in the Topic Finder. If needed, may source for cheap from a self service salvage yard. X-travisions are good bulbs for the money. Last edited by sheila; 09-26-2012 at 01:18 PM.

09-26-2012, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
04 SEL Taking Care of Business Member Number: 40467 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Massachusetts Chapter: Northeast Drives: 2004 SEL Duratec Visit: My Garage Posts: 1,590 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	Use a headlight restoration kit and buy XtraVisions or SilverStars. Admittedly, the SilverStars don't last quite as long. I've got the XtraVisions in my car and I like them. __________________ Ben 2004 SEL, 60k miles, Vibrant White. 35% Tint, K&N Panel filter, Sylvania XtraVisions, Duralast CMAX, Remote Start, 4x Infinity Reference 6832cf, JVC KW-R800BT

01-07-2013, 05:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,011 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	I replaced the sunload sensor today. It was one from the junkyard so I don't know if it actually functioned correctly! It's possible the one I got was a dud, but my autolamps still do not work. Same symptom. __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE*

01-07-2013, 06:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
it'sthatcar Devoted Member Member Number: 49561 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Chapter: Northern Drives: 2004 Ford Taurus SEL Comfort Visit: My Garage Posts: 1,183 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 2	Not sure about the Autolamp issue...but as far as headlights go, I bought a set of Philips Crystal Vision Ultra's off Amazon or ebay for around $20 and they work very nicely. They are as close to the color of natural daylight as you can get in a halogen bulb, supposedly. __________________ 2004 SEL Comfort ~ Shadow Grey Metallic ~ Mach upgrade with Pioneer speakers in the doors and Kenwood speakers in the rear deck ~ tinted windows ~ amber rear turn signal mod

01-07-2013, 06:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tom S Member Member Number: 51426 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 2006 Taurus SE 37k Visit: My Garage Posts: 150 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 1	I had looked at that circuit a little bit when I was thinking about adding them. If it is only turning on the parking lights in auto I think that is like a SJB issue. __________________ 2006 Taurus SE 40k Silver, very clean 3rd owner, Mods: Mach Stereo, Homelink lighted visors, Gentex Comp/Temp Mirror, Lloyds mats, Ford trunk liner, Hella driving lights 1991 Taurus 3.8 GL 190k daily driver weak trans but still kicking 1988 Taurus 3.0 retired 1996 F-250 Powerstroke 75k lots of mods like new 2009 Impala LTZ 3.9 10k

01-07-2013, 06:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,011 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	Ahh so I need a new sjb. Ill go back Wednesday and grab the one from a sable that was identical to mine except for Mach. Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE*

01-07-2013, 08:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
pyxu619 Junior Member Member Number: 32092 Join Date: Oct 2010 Chapter: West Coast Drives: 2000 Taurus SE 3.0 Duratec Visit: My Garage Posts: 12 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	what is a sjb? I'm having the same issue.

01-07-2013, 08:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
behlinla Technical Advisor Member Number: 14275 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wisconsin Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2006 Taurus SEL Visit: My Garage Posts: 5,705 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	SJB = Smart Junction Box It's the body control module that controls all the lighting and electrical function (locks, windows, etc). On 2003 and earlier it's called a GEM (generic electronics module).

01-07-2013, 08:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
sousa632 I'll Be Watching You! Member Number: 37681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Forked River, NJ Chapter: Northeast Drives: 01 Sable Wagon Duratec Visit: My Garage Posts: 2,427 Trader Score: 1 reviews Rep Power: 10	Try this........ Possible Sun Load Sensor Fix I'm going to try it one of these days. Can't beat the price. __________________ John '01 Sable LS Premium Wagon Duratec dubbed 'The Silver Bullet' , '98 Windstar 3.8 Vote for Wagon of the Month NOW!! *CLICK HERE*

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ford Taurus Forum Advertisement