Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting

NOTE: The puddle lamps are described and diagnosed in Courtesy Lamp.

The exterior lighting system consists of the following components:

- Headlamp assemblies

- Rear lamp assemblies

- High mounted stoplamp

- License plate lamps

- Liftgate lamps

- Fog lamps

- Auxiliary front parking lamps

- Exterior mirrors

- Headlamp switch (integrated into the Front Lighting Control Module (FLM))

- Stoplamp switch

- Multifunction switch

- Light sensor

- Headlamp Control Module (HCM) (integrated into the LH headlamp assembly)

- Body Control Module (BCM) (located on the LH side cowl above the parking brake)

- Steering Column Control Module (SCCM)

Battery Saver

NOTE: Time-out is 1 minute if the vehicle has less than 80 km (50 miles).

NOTE: The battery saver does not control the parking lamps if the headlamp switch is in the PARKING LAMPS ON position

To save battery voltage, the BCM (Body Control Module) provides automatic shut-off of the headlamps and parking lamps after a time-out period when the ignition is off. A timer in the BCM (Body Control Module) starts when any of the following occur:

- the ignition state changes to off

- any door or liftgate becomes ajar while the ignition is off

- an unlock button of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed while the ignition is off

- a valid keypad code is entered while the ignition is off

- the instrument panel dimmer switch is used to turn the courtesy lamps on while the ignition is off

When 10 minutes have elapsed, the BCM (Body Control Module) automatically shuts off voltage to the lamps. The timer restarts (voltage is restored if the BCM (Body Control Module) is in battery saver mode) if any of the following occurs:

- the ignition changes out of off

- any door or liftgate becomes ajar

- the unlock button of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is pressed

- a valid keypad code is entered

- the instrument panel dimmer switch is pressed

Lamp Assembly Condensation

Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin mist forms on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. The amount of time it takes to clear the lens of acceptable mist varies with ambient humidity and lamp types. Normal condensation clears from any lamp in 48 hours under dry conditions.

Do not replace a lamp assembly with acceptable levels of condensation such as:

- presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets are present)

- fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens

Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp housing leak):

- water puddling inside the lamp

- large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of the lens

Headlamps

The headlamp system is a dual-beam pattern system. It consists of a single replaceable headlamp bulb in each headlamp assembly. The vehicle may come equipped with halogen or High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs. The headlamp assembly has the park/turn and side marker lamp integrated into the headlamp assembly.

Vehicles with HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps utilize ballasts to provide the necessary voltage to illuminate the HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulbs.

When the high beams are requested, a shutter within each headlamp is activated. This changes the headlamp beam pattern to illuminate a greater distance.

If the headlamps are on when the ignition is turned off, the battery saver feature turns the headlamps off after 10 minutes have elapsed.

Flash-To-Pass Functionality

If the low beams are off when the flash-to-pass is requested, the headlamp bulbs and the shutters within the headlamps are activated for approximately 0.5 second. If the headlamps are already on when the flash-to-pass is requested, the shutters within the headlamps are activated for as long as the multifunction switch is held in the FLASH-TO-PASS position.

Adaptive Headlighting

Vehicles equipped with adaptive front lighting have a module (located within the LH headlamp assembly) to control the left/right aiming of the headlamp bulbs. Depending on the inputs received (steering wheel angle and vehicle speed for example), the adaptive front lighting module can change the angle at which the headlamps are aimed (left or right) to improve nighttime visibility around curves.

There are sensors and motors within each headlamp that the module uses to control the angle of the headlamp beams and are not repaired separately.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

NOTE: The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are a programmable parameter for this vehicle.

The DRL (Daytime Running Lamps) system utilizes the existing circuitry and components from the headlamp or the turn lamp system.

For vehicles with halogen headlamps, the DRL (Daytime Running Lamps) system operates the low beam headlamps at a reduced intensity.

For vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, the DRL (Daytime Running Lamps) system continuously (not flashing) illuminates the front turn lamps at full intensity.

The DRL (Daytime Running Lamps) are activated when the following conditions are met:

- the ignition is in RUN

- the headlamps have not been turned on by the autolamp system or the headlamp switch

- the transmission is not in park

Autolamps

The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on/off control of the exterior lamps. The autolamp system keeps the exterior lamps on for a preselected period of time after the ignition is turned off (20 seconds is the factory default setting). The preselected time lapse is adjustable up to approximately 3 minutes. To change the autolamps time delay, refer to Autolamps Time Delay Adjustment .

Headlamps On With Wipers On Feature

When the headlamp switch is in the AUTOLAMPS ON position and the front wipers are on for more than 3 seconds (except during a mist wipe or while the wipers are on to clear washer fluid during a wash condition), the exterior lamps turn on. The exterior lamps turn off when the ignition is changed to off or accessory, the headlamp switch is placed in the OFF position, or the front wipers are off for more than 30 seconds. The exception to this is when the exterior lights are on because of darkness determined by the light sensor.

Stoplamps

The stoplamp switch is located on the brake pedal assembly. Voltage is supplied to the rear lamps and high mounted stoplamp when the brake pedal is applied.

For MKX, the rear lamps are combination stop/turn lamps.

Turn Signal/Hazard Lamps

When the multifunction switch is placed in the LH or RH TURN position, the corresponding turn lamps cycle on and off approximately 80 times per minute. If a front or rear turn bulb is inoperative, the remaining turn lamp cycles on and off approximately 160 times per minute.

The hazard flasher switch is located in the center instrument panel finish panel (integrated into the Front Controls Interface Module (FCIM)). When the hazard lamp function is active, all the turn lamps cycle on and off approximately 80 times per minute.

The front turn signal indicator lamps are integrated into the headlamp assemblies.

Edge has standalone rear turn lamps.

For MKX, the rear turn lamps share functionality with the stoplamps.

Parking Lamps

The parking lamps illuminate when requested from the headlamp switch or the autolamp system.

The front parking and side marker lamps are integrated into the headlamp assemblies and the front auxiliary parking lamps are located in the front bumper cover.

The rear parking and side marker lamps are located in the rear lamp assemblies and the liftgate lamps are locate on the outboard sides of the liftgate.

Fog Lamps

The fog lamps can be turned on when the ignition is in RUN or ACC, the parking lamps are on, and the high beams are off.

The fog lamp switch is integrated into the FLM (Front Lighting Control Module).

Reversing Lamps

When the transmission is placed in reverse, the reversing lamps are illuminated. The reversing lamps are located within the rear lamp assemblies.

Trailer Tow

When the vehicle's rear stop/turn or parking lamps are illuminated, voltage is also supplied to a corresponding trailer tow relay (coil side) located in the Battery Junction Box (BJB).

Vehicles not equipped with trailer tow require a Ford authorized accessory kit to add this option. Adding bulbs/lighting to existing circuits can cause the BCM (Body Control Module) to shut down the circuit and set a DTC due to the unexpected current flow.