Ok, this is my first post. I have searched all over this forum and googled for hours and can't find much information on the issue I'm having with my 02 Lincoln LS. My LS has daytime running lights which I know are just the high beams operating at a lower voltage. Now, all of a sudden, my high beams are on instead of my daytime running lights. I'm not sure what is causing the high beams to operate as high beams instead of operating as daytime running lights. Another symptom is that when I have my regular driving lights on and try to engage my high beams, it takes many attempts of pulling back the light switch (stick) to get the high beams to engage and once the high beams are on, it also takes a lot of fiddling with the light switch to finally get it into low beam. Now, all of a sudden, it's stuck on high beam and no amount of fiddling with the switch will disengage high beam and engage low beam. I'm not sure if it is the light switch itself that is bad or something else since the daytime running lights are controlled by the body control module? Anyone have any idea where I should start?
02 Lincoln LS Daytime running light nightmare.
- Thread starter lgwise
- Start date
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
The multifunction switch (which sends the trigger signals for flash-to-pass and high beam) is read by the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster communicates with the FEM (Front Electronics module). The FEM controls the headlights. (The LS doesn't have a single body electronics module. Instead it has the FEM and the REM (Rear Electronics Module).)
All of this (of course) complicates the troubleshooting. There is a drawn out troubleshooting procedure in the service manual, but it sounds to me like it is most likely to be the multifunction switch.
While parked with the engine running, do the lights go off (auto lamp off) when you set the parking brake? If so, it's probably not the FEM. You should be able to get the high beams off then by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and reconnecting.
All of this (of course) complicates the troubleshooting. There is a drawn out troubleshooting procedure in the service manual, but it sounds to me like it is most likely to be the multifunction switch.
While parked with the engine running, do the lights go off (auto lamp off) when you set the parking brake? If so, it's probably not the FEM. You should be able to get the high beams off then by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and reconnecting.
G-RELL
FULLY DIPPED LS
Joe, i swear i'm giving you $100 next time i see you... Crazy awesome info....
Thanks for the great info, Joe. I will try your suggestions this eve and report back later, the Lincoln is at my friends garage since he is also doing the 8 coils and valve cover gaskets on it as well as trying to find out what the squeeking coming from the drivers side front wheel is when you turn the steering wheel, We did the ball joint last year and so far it looks like the ball joint is still fine so maybe some bushings but we'll see. Thanks again for the info, it points us in the right direction with this DRL issue.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
So I replaced the multifunction switch and still that didnt fix my issue, Im assuming now that it might be the FEM.....?
Unfortunately, it is not the only possibility left. It could also be the cluster or a wiring short. With the Ford scan tool, it is easy to read the dimmer switch status from the cluster and to command to FEM to turn high beams on or off, and to PWM them for the DRLs.
Given that the FEM is expensive and the cluster is expensive, I'd pay the $100 diagnostic charge to find out for sure which one is at fault.
jolinc01
Dedicated LVC Member
Go to the dealer and make friends with the service manager. I get a good discount on parts and services at my local dealers.
Finally fixed my headlight issue. My friend who was a service tech for Ford and now works for Toyota decided on a hunch to check the electrical connections and he found that the main harness at the bottom of the steering wheel had a little bit of corrosion so he used an electrical cleaner solution and cleaned the contacts of that harness and voila, fixed. So, anyone else with a similar issue might start by disconnecting harnesses and checking for corrosion and cleaning accordingly as a first step.