Has anyone bought a Taurus X with a missing passive alarm light on top of the dash, or experienced the light getting broken or stop working?

I recently bought a 2008 X and didn't notice the "hole" on top of the dash at first. When I looked at other X's and Freestyles to see what was in the "hole", it turned out to be the light from the alarm system. It's just missing.

So now I'm wondering a) what it costs to get a replacement and b) why would it go missing in the first place? Known/possible defect or.....???

Thanks much.

Is it right up at the edge of the middle of the dash by the bottom of the windshield?

May be an aftermarket install.
Post a pic of where it is and I'll check my dash.

Isn't your passive alarm light in the instrument cluster?

So sorry for the late reply! Got distracted by a house repair emergency for a bit.

>Is it right up at the edge of the middle of the dash by the bottom of the windshield?

Yes, exactly right.
On my X there's an empty square hole in the dash there.
On other Freestyles and X's the hole is filled with what looks like a square, dark-colored piece of plastic --- according to one dealer I asked, who doesn't have many of these vehicles, the square plastic piece covers the blinking passive alarm light.
Or maybe contains the light itself, as a single unit.

All replies much appreciated!!

P.S. tomorrow morning I'll get a picture and try to post it here.

No; at least nothing ever blinks there.
Some of the cluster lights were out and had to be replaced before we took delivery though.
I just took another look at the owners manual (downloaded, not provided with the car) and I see what you mean. It does say that a light should blink when the car is armed.

Hmmmmm.

Here are 2 photos showing where the mystery object should be.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49137090@N08/4496998702/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49137090@N08/4496998836/

Thanks for your help!

Isn't that the sensor for the Auto Headlamps? I am not sure, but I thought that is where it in on my 07 freestyle.

You are missing the sensor for auto headlight on and off.See picture below for reference.

THANK YOU Nburd and Imperial Death Star
Now I know what part to order (even though I can't iimagine why it's missing in the first place....)

Your help is much appreciated!

Do you have the Auto Headlights installed on your car? If not the plug for this hole may be what you are missing..

I believe the auto-headlightd was standard in 08, but mine is pretty loaded so I'm not sure. It could be the previous owner wanted daytime running lights (I've heard insurance is cheaper that way) and modded it accordingly. What happens when your lights are in auto mode?

I have both, the auto lamps and the DRL. One has really nothing to do with the other. The DRL is on in the day time only while the auto lamps are turned on automatically just like you turning on your standard lights by hand.So you need the whole system for each, not just the sensor. Look at your lamp switch, if you have four symbols, you have (or at least had auto lamps at one time). If you have three symbols then you have the standard lights. The fog lamp switch is a pull out type and could be in either system. You could also check in the open hole for wiring that would connect to the missing sensor.

I believe DRL is only a Canadian featuture, because it its law there. Those of us south of the border (and Alaskans) don't get it.

My US '07 has DRL. I do not know why, but they are there. I wonder if they are programmble? I'll have to browse the manual. Actually with Maine's wipers on/HL on, I like the DRL's.