Enabling Approach/Welcome Lighting

[Nightshade]

Due to getting a lot of messages about being asked if Approach/Welcome Lighting could be enabled like the 21+ Ford F-150s via FORScan, the answer is YES! This one has been around for a while, and yes, this will work for ALL 2025+ Explorers of ALL trims!

I am not 100% sure if this will work for 2020-2024 Explorers, so those who have one, feel free to test this out and report back!

For those who don’t know what this is, Ford Approach Lighting has been around since the 2021 F-150 and newer. Basically, when you walk up to your Explorer, your perimeter and puddle lights turn on as you approach (see video via Facebook or message me to see it: 2025 Explorer ST Approach Lighting enabled).

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The following will need to be changed:

1. Connect your Explorer to FORScan.


2. Go your BdyCM (easy way, not as-built way).

3. In the search bar on the top left, type in “Approach Detection” (without quotations).

4. Change the following below from Disabled to Enabled:

• Approach Detection - Personal 1
• Approach Detection - Personal 2
• Approach Detection - Personal 3
• Approach Detection - Personal 4
• Approach Detection - Vehicle
• Approach Detection - Initial Value

Write all to the Explorer. Cycle off, then back on.

5. Lastly, go to your BdyCM (as-built way) and change the following to enabled:

BdyCM -> 726-45-01 -> xxxx-xxx1-xx--

Write to the Explorer. Cycle off, then on.

6. Disconnect the Explorer from FORScan, turn off, lock your Explorer and walk away a few feet. Start walking to your Explorer, and you’ll see your perimeter and puddle lights turn on!

--You’re done! Cheers!

Link to video, since I am unable to upload a video to the thread: 2025 Explorer ST Approach Lighting enabled


Works perfectly on 2025 Explorer Active, ST-Line, ST and Platinum!

 

[GeorgeD]

For whatever reason I enabled everything here and changed the BCM configuration, and can not get it to work, Only time I haven't tried it was when it's been dark outside, does possibly the vehicle need to see it's dark out

 

[Nightshade]

For whatever reason I enabled everything here and changed the BCM configuration, and can not get it to work, Only time I haven't tried it was when it's been dark outside, does possibly the vehicle need to see it's dark out

Seems like you're the first one reporting the issue so far! Haven't seen anyone reporting since I've posted it especailly in the FB groups.

Try to restore all the values back to stock. Try again but take your time to double/triple check before writing to ensure you have it all. Approach/Perimeter lighting should work at any time, not just at night.

 

[throttlejunkie]

Would you happen to know what that value was that I changed to 1 was? I could do a backup, but wouldn’t that restore all of the changes I’ve made to the BCM?

 

[MikeThomas]

Interesting observation… the approach lighting also wakes the gateway. This means the tailgate only needs a single button press to open. Very handy to not have to press once to wake, and a second to open.

However, a strange issue when only a single occupant (driver) approaches and opens their door. Appears the passenger door module doesn’t “wake up” every time and thus, the passenger mirror doesn’t auto fold out. A quick fold/unfold operation corrects this. Now, if a passenger grabs the passenger door handle before the driver unlocks the door, the mirror opens fine on unlock. Almost seems a passenger needs to trigger the handle proximity sensor before the driver unlocks the door. I can reproduce everytime…

 

[Combatvet]

This is how FORSCAN mods should be written up! Thanks Nightshade!

 

[StingerPerf]

I'll try this on my 2020 once I take delivery of it.

 

[BNaCl]

I'll try this on my 2020 once I take delivery of it.

Did you get this to work or are you still waiting on your 2020?

 

[StingerPerf]

I've got it, I just haven't had the chance to hook Forscan up to it yet. It's on my list as I've got quite a few things I'd like to modify with it.

 

[BNaCl]

I've got it, I just haven't had the chance to hook Forscan up to it yet. It's on my list as I've got quite a few things I'd like to modify with it.

NP, I recently acquired a 2020 as well and have already made some tweaks, but saw this and thought it was cool. I have some other changes I want to make and will add this to the list. If I get around to it before you do I will report back.

Congrats on your 2020, I love mine. Spotless with 59K on it when I bought in FEB. Highly recommend purchasing a ESP from Zeigler if you can swing it https://www.zeiglerfordesp.com/. They offer a 12 month payment plan for 0%. If it is Ford Certified Preowned and still within the warranty period you it doesn't require an inspection.

I've also learned quite a bit about ST tweaking and maintenance in general and plan on assembling it into a post here soon. Perhaps the biggest impact item was updating the system modules with FDRS, which is something I never knew was a thing. Solved or improved several issues with my ST. Shame dealers don't do this unless the repair bulletin specifically calls it out.

 

[StingerPerf]

For sure, report back if you beat me to it.

Mine also had 59k when I bought it. We've only had it a few weeks so I've been learning all of the features, what buttons do, how to get it to behave the way I want it to, etc. Once I've got all of that locked down I'll move on to an intercooler, tune, and some cosmetic mods.

I looked into the FDRS stuff but it looked like it was going to be pretty expensive ($575 for the cable, plus the 2-day license, plus other possible expenses) so I'm not sure I will decide that's "worth it" or not. It's unfortunate Ford doesn't update these by default either OTA or when it's at the dealer for service.

 

[BNaCl]

Unfortunately no joy on a 2020 ST. Time to get a new one!

 

[StingerPerf]

Was approach detection in the list at all (where it could be possible to enable it, just with different details than the 25+ info here)?

 

[BNaCl]

Was approach detection in the list at all (where it could be possible to enable it, just with different details than the 25+ info here)?

Yes all the parameters were there exactly per the instructions, just didn't work. Perhaps the As-Built parameter might be different. However, I did note the following from the original post which seems to indicate the feature may not have existed until 2021.

Ford Approach Lighting has been around since the 2021 F-150 and newer.

I did a search specifically for Explorer and found this which seems to confirm the feature wasn't avail until 2021:

Ford introduced the Approach Lighting feature on the Explorer around the 2021 model year, making it available on newer models and the F-150, where the perimeter and puddle lights activate as the owner approaches the vehicle.

 

[StingerPerf]

You'd think if the code is in there (as you said it is), that it's possible to enable it, just need to know the right details to enter.

 

[BNaCl]

You'd think if the code is in there (as you said it is), that it's possible to enable it, just need to know the right details to enter.

I could be wrong but just because the parameter is there doesn’t mean it can be enabled. There are tons of settings that do not apply to my model (example: manual transmission, diesel, etc). I think what we see is representative of all possible features regardless of what is installed.

Was thinking about it, while the feature is cool, you can accomplish the same thing by unlocking with the fob (which works much farther away). Believe me I’d love to have the feature tho!