Changed Light Control Module - Lights still aren't right - Wiper problems too.. help?

[Ozz]

Greetings,
I have been having a problem with my autolights and based on the symptoms (flash on and off during the day, etc) I changed the LCM yesterday (part number 4W7Z-13C788-BB). They worked fine in the dark but they flashed on and off a few times this afternoon and now just come on and stay on when the car is running and the switch is set to auto. Hopefully this is not made for Canadian (lights on all the time) or something... What else could this be?

Also have been having the symptoms of wiper motor controler failure as well. They are fine when they are dry but after a heavy rain they stall and only work on high. Today I took off the leaf screen and cleared out the water drainage passage (which was completely full of mud). Perhaps this will improve the problem but it is kind of a bandaid in my opinion.

Could the problems be related? If so, how?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bigdogjim]

You could have a bad multi-function switch?

[KMABOSS302]

Check the connections of the wiper harness at the motor and the connector at the top edge of the cowl.I had a lot of water in each,clean with electrical cleaner and load them up with dielectric grease.My wipers would only work on high and the headlights would flash at random,as well as wipers would make a single pass occasionally. Good luck, Kevin

[mercmatt]

my 03 did the same thing and my 04 did it for a while but i guess it went away .. its the multi function switch

[AstroVic]

My 2000 Crown Vic has had similar symptoms - occasional quick-flash on the turn signals, wipers will stall in the "ready" position when turned off, etc. - but the problems are always temporary and only return infrequently.

I've been told - and I agree - that it's the Multi Function Switch going bad. Supposedly they sell them at O'Reilly's Auto Parts for about $60, but I don't know if they're the same across Panthers or not. I'm sure they are, but you'd have to check.

For what it's worth, the Multi Function Switch is easy to replace. Shouldn't take longer than an hour if you're being slow and meticulous.

[michael ward]

or it could be a bad part sometimes warranty parts get switched by techs by accident and then sold over parts counter this has happend to me..

[Ozz]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Where are the connectors exactly that I need to check? I had the cowl cover off last night to clean out the drain under the wiper motor and I still didn't see any access to the wire harness that went to the motor. Do I need to pull the wiper mechanisms and take the lower plastic pan off to get to the connector?
I think the wiper motor connector along the upper edge is the one snapped to the cowl metal, at the extreme rear corner of the engine bay, right?

Multifunction switch - is that the dash switch?

THANKS!!!!!

[AstroVic]

Multifunction switch - is that the dash switch?


It's the turn signal & windshield wiper lever on the left side of the steering wheel.

[Ozz]

Interesting... multifunction switch = turn signal switch, etc...
Before all these wiper and headlight problems started, the first strange thing that happened was that when I put on the left turn signal, it blinked very fast on the dash... I don't know if the actual turn lights blinked fast or not. I do not have a burnt out turn signal bulb though. The problem came and went and has not happened since the headlights and wipers started acting up.

Thanks.

[Bradley G]

I have had, both issues.
I had the selling dealer install a daytime running light module.
Now the auto mode switches from reg to full when it is perfectly sunny out and nothing blocking the sensor.
I had wipers only on high, they actually started working fine, after I made a service appointment.
had the switch changed, no more grease seeping out.

[AstroVic]

...when I put on the left turn signal, it blinked very fast on the dash... I don't know if the actual turn lights blinked fast or not. I do not have a burnt out turn signal bulb though.

Yes, your turn signals actually blink double-time just like you're seeing it on your dash indicator. This sounds to me like a classic MFS going bad. Like I said, my Crown Vic is occasionally doing the same thing (and it's a very common issue on the crownvic.net board). It's very infrequent, so I've tolerated it so far. Also, my windshield wipers sometimes get stuck in the "ready" position. I was almost 100% positive it was the MFS, but I called my buddy Wed (from Innovative Interceptors) and asked his opinion the deal. He also felt it was the MFS going bad.

It might be worth a shot, since they're not too terribly expensive and fairly easy to replace. But I'd feel bad, too, if it turned out to be something else. I just can't imagine for the life of me what else could cause your symptoms.

Good luck and keep us informed so others can be aware of the remedy. :)

[AstroVic]

Although Crown Vics are not *identical* to Marauders, about 95% of the car is a crossover. The crownvic.net board has done a REALLY nice job archiving their database. Bookmark the following link and you'll find it very helpful for these types of issues in the future. A lot of people on that site know Panthers like the back of their hand, and several of them are Ford master techs, etc. Bookmark this!

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=196722&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Here are a couple threads from CVN to read:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=681495&Forum=UBB25&Words=ELECTRICAL--&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=681495&Search=true#Post681495

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=623678&Forum=UBB25&Words=ELECTRICAL--&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=623678&Search=true#Post623678

This one in particular sounds similar to your issue:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=507591&Forum=UBB25&Words=ELECTRICAL--&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=3&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=507591&Search=true#Post507591

How to replace it:

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=563456&Forum=UBB25&Words=INTERIOR--&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=563456&Search=true#Post563456

[Ozz]

Thanks for the outstanding information!

...Now all I wonder is if there is any way in he!! I can get them to take back the $300 LCM I didn't need?