Headlights Go Out
In the last month the headlights on our 04 Marquis have gone out while driving. The dashlights, turnsignals, and emergency lights continue to work. I had the switch replaced....it happened again. While they were out,I turned the switch to other positions with no change. The lights came on again after a minute or so. A few seconds later they went out again but came on again a few seconds later. One mechanic looked into replacing a module($500),but was told by his sources that they had only replaced the modules only on police cars which have a greater lighting load. Any ideas...that problem makes the car worthless and hardly usable. Thanks, Lloyd
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the circuit breaker in the under the hood fuse box needs to be replaced. (or is it in the under dash fuse box?) *goes and checks the manual for the 04 MGM at www.motorcraftservice.com *
yeah... under the hood. looks like #11 |
The LCM (lighting control module) is known to be problematic. It seems one, or two relays are underdesigned.
Someone on eBay has a rebuilding service for this and they upgrade the relay's in amp specs. I have heard good things about this service. I would perhaps buy a junk yard LCM and ship it off for a rebuild, then have your rebuilt so you will have a spare. Let us know how you make out. Take care, Bill |
This is a very common problem on panther platform cars with an LCM.
The problem is the whimpy relays built into the LCM, they can sporaticlly fail over time. I had this problem on my 2000, the fix is quite simple and cheap. The following writeup was authored by dRock96marquis from Crownvic.net. The following describes replacement of the internal headlamp relay of 2003-2004 Crown Victoria /Grand Marquis / Marauder Lighting Control Modules (LCM) in favor of an external relay and base. The process would be similar for comparable year Lincoln Town Cars however their LCM is unique from the CV/GMQ/MM. Headlamp relay failure is VERY common on 2003 models causing erratic headlamp operation or no headlamps at all. This fix explains how to remove the stock relay and solder in extension leads to use an externally mounted relay and base using a common and easy to find BOSCH iso-style 30/40amp automotive relay. Making simple replacement should the relay fail in the future, and saving you from $400 for a new LCM from the dealer! You can also use this same procedure if you simply want to replace the PCB mounted relay with the same part. If you are not familiar with soldering on a printed circuit board you should let someone with experience solder the leads to the board for you. The following article was authored by vicvega, and was originally posted in This Thread =============================================== LCM WOES gone for now. External Relay fix I DON’T RECOMMEND DOING THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING. I located the headlight relay. Unsoldered it carefully from the board. You have to be because of close connections and the board can be easily damaged. I had to go online to get the schematic for the old relay as it’s not printed on it due to its size. If you ask me the relay looks and feels cheap to begin with. I got the info here: http://www.worldproducts.com/pdfs/eq1.pdf I used masking tape to label each wire to make sure I didn’t make an error and fry the whole unit altogether. Got a few connectors and soldered them to the wire. I used 22 (12awg recommended for load wires (30/87))-d gauge solid wire which is good enough. It didn’t get hot so far and everything is working great so far. This is a temporary fix till I get a new LCM. I don’t suggest doing this unless you really know what you’re doing. I had my best friend who’s an electrician for the city help me out. http://www.crownvic.net/bok/LCMrelay/03LCMRELAY1of5.jpg http://www.crownvic.net/bok/LCMrelay/03LCMRELAY2of5.jpg http://www.crownvic.net/bok/LCMrelay/03LCMRELAY3of5.jpg ****Note: In the above picture the 30 and 86 pin labels are reversed. However, even if you do wire it like this it will operate correctly as they are both on the same circuit trace. The correct #30 position has the larger opening for thicker AWG wire, however -d http://www.crownvic.net/bok/LCMrelay/03LCMRELAY4of5.jpg http://www.crownvic.net/bok/LCMrelay/03LCMRELAY5of5.jpg ----Courtesy vicvega Edited by dRock96Marquis (Sat Feb 28 2009 04:37 PM) Edit Reason: Image update |
However the fix I chose was much simpler and just as effective. But if your headlight relays are completlly shot, this wont work.
The following tech article explains how to make your own headlamp wiring relay upgrade kit. The factory wiring, because of its length and smaller gauge, causes a voltage drop before it reaches the bulbs. This reduces light output considerably. By upgraded to thicker gauge wiring with relays, you can provide your headlamps full available power for maximum output https://www.mercuryforum.com/ubbthre...fault/cool.gif It directly applies to 1992-1997 CV/GM, however it can be used as a guide for virtually any vehicle (substitute the bulb connector types for your vehicle (*98-05 panther = 9007 (exc 03+ TC)) For those feeling less ambitious, Painless (among others) makes a direct fit relay upgrade kit for various bulb types. The following article was authored by Dextrovic, and was excerpted from this thread =============================================== ***ALL*** years will benefit from a headlight circuit rewire regardless of headlight switch type. The factory headlight wiring is a pitiful joke: too small wire gauge and too long at that. For fuses, I used 2x 20A ATO blade-style fuses. This ensures that both low- and high-beam circuits are 100% completely independent for fault tolerance. With stock 51W 9006s low-beam and 60W 9005s high-beam bulbs this is ample protection. Be sure to use 30A Bosch-style power relays, preferably with matching harnesses and 12 or 10 AWG wiring for best effect. Keep all wires as short as possible. Use heatshrink tubing for wire insulation and split loom (convoluted tubing) to protect said wires. Use Packard Electric (General Motors) Metri-Pak 280 connectors to match the wire gauge that will be used when replacing the headlight socket metal terminals. If that isn't possible, a less preferable method is to reuse the old sockets, cut the wiring down to form a pigtail and solder the new wires on. Personal note: I exclusively solder each and every connection and use black heat shrink tubing, black split loom, and black nylon zip ties in all my electrical work...electrical performance is nothing without style https://www.mercuryforum.com/ubbthre...fault/wink.gif Schematics: http://www.crownvic.net/bok/HEADLAMPrelay6of7.JPG http://www.crownvic.net/bok/HEADLAMPrelay7of7.JPG The procedure: Be aware that there are two (2) air bag crash sensors bolted to the upper radiator support behind the header panel near each headlight respectively, so exercise caution at all times.
Optional: replace headlight bulbs with new equivalents (filament luminous output does degrade with time). ----Article submission courtesy Dextrovic |
Headlights Go Out
Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, because we needed to be able to have the use of the car right away--we traded it off. The dealer we traded with was told of the problem. I hope they don't pass it on without fixing it. It could be very dangerous. Three mechanics had no idea of the problem. Thanks again. I wish I had time to wait on your responses. Lloyd
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suvlights.com has a series cable that is supposed to be 'plug in play' to perform the headlight circuit upgrade. No wires to splice.
When my 2009 is out of warranty, I will do the upgrade since it seems the LCM is only good for a few years out fo warranty. Sorry you traded your car off; this is an easy fix and would have saved you lots of money. Take care, Bill |
LCM Module For Headlight
There is an extended warranty on the LCM for the headlights. The problem is the headlights go out without warning. Ford has extended the warranty to 15yrs/250,000. Must be done at Ford and the fix is free.
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98 CV LCM light relay config
Please Help. I have watched and read everything I could find here but cannot find my configuration. I need to know what the proper pin hole in my circuit board are to receive the wires from my external relay. (30, 85, 86, 87, 87a) Is there anybody out there who can help? "1998 Crown Vic Police interceptor"
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Go over to crownvic.net and register. There is a step by step relay replacement procedure in the 'body of knowledge' section. Good Luck.
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You can also buy rebuilt LCM through eBay that work great!
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Had a similar problem with my headlights going on and off coming back from the airport one night a few years ago on my 2000 Mercury Marquis. Happened when I put the High Beams on. The lights were going on and off on a very dark Highway a dangerous situation. I had put aftermarket High Intensity Halogen Light Bulbs in the car a few months before and thought maybe that might be the problem. The next day I put back the original 9007 Halogens the car called for and eliminated my problem believe it or not. Haven't had the problem since.
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Headlights
There is a factory recall/replacement for the headlight control module. Many failures, and the fix is a free replacement at dealer.
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Thanks for the heads up. As I have said in my past post I haven't had anymore problems since I took those Aftermarket High Intensity 9007 Lamps back out of the car and replaced them with standard 9007 Halogen Lamps that came in the car from Ford Mercury. The car is 17 years old now and I would doubt if there was a recall they would make good on today but I could be wrong. Funny we are the original owners of our 2000 Grand Marquis yet never got a recall notice on it. If you have a link on the net showing that recall notice please place it in this thread being it would be a good thing to let others know about coming to this thread. I would like to see it in writing myself. Thanks again
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