Dome/Courtesy Light Never Works

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Anybody else having this issue? We have a 2023 F-150 XLT and more often then not, the courtesy light does not work.

I'll disarm the truck, no interior light.
I'll open a door, no interior light

NO the "courtesy disable" button is not pressed.
I can press the dome light button and they come on by forcing it but as I said, more often then not opening the door does not turn on the light.

The same problem happens with the truck bed as well. Where the cargo light button doesn't work in the bed. It seems that if the dome light doesn't come on automatically I cannot turn the truck bed cargo light on either by pressing the button in the bed.

VERY ODD. Driving me nuts. Getting the kids in the truck last night reminded me of owning a Bronco where you can't see!

Anybody else have this issue and/or a solution?

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[JohnTrigger]

I’m not sure what you mean by “courtesy disable” button, but this button overhead toggles the lights on and off with door opening, I believe. Try pressing it once…
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...A&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Also one of the first things to drop offline when you have a weak battery is the interior lights (and auto start stop, remote start, FordPass, sync system off to save battery messages etc). Any of these also happening?

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I’m not sure what you mean by “courtesy disable” button, but this button overhead toggles the lights on and off with door opening, I believe. Try pressing it once…
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...A&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Also one of the first things to drop offline when you have a weak battery is the interior lights (and auto start stop, remote start, FordPass, sync system off to save battery messages etc). Any of these also happening?

Truck's a 23 so i doubt it's the battery. I have no issues with any other things but this problem has been present over a year.

The button you just referenced is the dome light/courtesy light disable button. If activated the dome light does not come on when truck door opens. I already have verified this isn't active.

 

[Borchelt]

make sure all your fuses are properly seated in both fuse boxes. I did this with my 21 PB and found that half of them barely made connection. Any vibration would have the tendency to make periodic connection or non-connection.

 

[hpwjr]

Age hardly makes a difference concerning battery issues. It is entirely possible for low voltage to cause all sorts of weird issues and very likely for your truck to have a low voltage state of charge. It happens all the time because of a strange charging algorithm used by Ford. Motorcraft batteries do not have a good reputation.

 

[Chappy133]

Did you buy it new? I f used the previous owner may have used FORSCAN and enabled the police silent mode that allows you to toggle on and off all the courtesy lights. I had that done on my truck for when I am camping and don’t want to have my lights ruin the darkness while camping.

 

[Keithfro]

Truck's a 23 so i doubt it's the battery. I have no issues with any other things but this problem has been present over a year.

The button you just referenced is the dome light/courtesy light disable button. If activated the dome light does not come on when truck door opens. I already have verified this isn't active.

Mine is a 23 and was having the same issues. I tried a bunch but it was the battery. New battery no issues.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I need to start checking fuses. Just tried to use my bed light last night and it would not come on BUT the cargo light would come on... somethings acting up.

 

[t5brick]

I’ve had a handful of issues similar to this and both times my battery SOC was very low. After charging overnight the problems went away.

FYI I also have a 2023.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Hmm. I'll test my battery. The dome light doesn't work nor does my bed light button. However if I start the truck then my bed light works and dome light comes on when door is open.

Anybody know what the voltage should read on a good battery if I test it with my volt meter?

How did you know your battery was low?

 

[roadPilot]

Truck's a 23 so i doubt it's the battery.

Brand new trucks have/can come with brand new batteries that are defective. Read the forums.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Brand new trucks have/can come with brand new batteries that are defective. Read the forums.

How does one determine if the battery is defective. We have a voltmeter naturally but I don't have an actual tester to tell me if the battery is bad or not

Guess we'll have to just make an appointment with our dealer to get it serviced.

 

[hpwjr]

It’s not a shorted cell usually. It’s just low state of charge. Volt meter will work. Just put it across the battery terminals when you know your dome light isn’t working. It will probably be below 12.5 and might be as low as 12.0 or even lower. It should be close to 12.8. You don’t need a battery tester to check for this.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Yeah my voltage is right over 12. Like 12.09 or so.

I'll stop by my Ford service center. I'm due for an oil change anyway AND I have a defect on my windshield.

 

[hpwjr]

I think the best course of action is to purchase your own AGM H7 battery. Walmart or Batteries Plus or the like. Motorcraft batteries seem to be problematic, though it might solely be the result of Ford’s odd charging algorithm. First, manually put your fan speed at 5 or above for a significant period of time and then check voltage and your dome light. 5 or above kicks the charge up to 14.4 and can then fully charge an AGM battery. I’d do all that before going to Ford.

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