View Full Version : headlamps quit
4play
06-30-2010, 06:34 PM
Today I noticed my lights were not on when the switch is, when I played with the switch of and on the started working, but then other times they did not. But when I pulled the passing lever they turned on, so would this be the switch or the lcm, when they are not working I do not hear the relay click, the parking lamps work as they should.
RacerX
06-30-2010, 06:38 PM
Did you slam up under the right hand side of the dash? If you bang under there, you can jolt the relay contacts into switching. Yeah, LCM relays...:(
4play
06-30-2010, 06:48 PM
So the flash to pass is a different relay, because when the lights don't go on via the switch I can hold the turn signal towards me and the highbeams will come on.
4play
06-30-2010, 06:56 PM
Yup, your right, I tapped it turned on, now, can I order a replacement relay from ford? Or could I get a lcm out of a 03 police crownvic and just take the relay outta it?
RacerX
06-30-2010, 06:56 PM
Yup! It's absolutely scary when you're driving and the lights go out, but, yeah, you pop the highs on.
RacerX
06-30-2010, 07:01 PM
Actually, I did it myself, as some other members here have, but, you have to pull the LCM out, desolder the relays and solder new ones in (coouple bucks out of the mouser electronic s catalog). If you don't feel comfortable doing that, there is a member here (someone will speak up!) who will do this cheap. A new module is pretty expensive! Here:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45131&highlight=lamp+control+module
DUH!!! fastblackmerc does LCMs!!! PM him! http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=2458
4play
06-30-2010, 07:28 PM
Nah, I'm pretty good at that kinda stuff, I was just wondering tho if I can get a LCM out of a old police car and just use that relay
4play
06-30-2010, 10:36 PM
I Just Bought 2 relays from Mouser.com should have them in next week... Yet another exiteing project for me to tackle.
MrBluGruv
06-30-2010, 11:45 PM
Honestly, in my opinion, if you can get the LCM out of its holder, you probably have the know-how to fix it yourself. That thing is a damned rubix cube, and consequently why I still haven't fixed mine yet. I'm becoming pro at hitting it to make it come on though, just a tap of the finger in JUST the right spot and bam success. ;)
fastblackmerc
07-01-2010, 03:12 AM
Honestly, in my opinion, if you can get the LCM out of its holder, you probably have the know-how to fix it yourself. That thing is a damned rubix cube, and consequently why I still haven't fixed mine yet. I'm becoming pro at hitting it to make it come on though, just a tap of the finger in JUST the right spot and bam success. ;)
The LCM is actually easy to remove.
Move the pedals as far forward as possible
Remove the two bottom electrical connectors from the LCM
Remove the two screws that secure the LCM
Push the clip on the LCM to release it from the holder and push the LCM towards the front of the car
Rotate the LCM up while pushing it forwards
After the LCM clears the holder, pull it down to release the large electrical connector
The LCM is now free.
fastblackmerc
07-01-2010, 03:16 AM
I Just Bought 2 relays from Mouser.com should have them in next week... Yet another exiteing project for me to tackle.
Did you buy the same internal relays? If so, you will eventually have the same problem again. The problem with the original relays and the new relays is that they are NOT robust enough t handle the power for the headlights. The solution is to replace the relay with a proper 30/40amp external relay.
RacerX
07-01-2010, 05:51 AM
just a tap of the finger in JUST the right spot and bam success. ;)
That's what she said! :P
SC Cheesehead
07-01-2010, 06:39 AM
Honestly, in my opinion, if you can get the LCM out of its holder, you probably have the know-how to fix it yourself. That thing is a damned rubix cube, and consequently why I still haven't fixed mine yet. I'm becoming pro at hitting it to make it come on though, just a tap of the finger in JUST the right spot and bam success. ;)
This is a temporary fix, but sooner or later the relays will crap out, and Murphy's Law being what it is...
Ask me how I know. :rolleyes:
Fastlackmerc can get you fixed up with his spiffy HD relay retro-fit; that's the way to go, IMO.
4play
07-01-2010, 09:58 AM
well, 160,000 miles and 8 years and probably 1/3 of all the driving done at night, I think that relay did pretty good, plus I converted theheadlamps to HID last fall, so that should help. i'f this relay lasts for another 8 years I think it will be the least of my problems. I dont like kicking electronics under my dash, did it twice last night it's only a matter of time before you crack a solder or something. I would imagine if it's that hard for you to get out Mr captain Chops lol, you could probably remove that Kick/knee panell to make more room for yourself no?
RedMerc04
07-01-2010, 06:12 PM
I see a remanufactured a LCM on Ebay, part number: 4W7Z-13C788-BB. Due to the fact that I do not trust my soldering skills, I should acquire an extra LCM. Will this unit work with my fog lights. I ask this question b/c all of these modules seem to be designed for Crown Vics and Marquises.
Thanks,
Matt
fastblackmerc
07-01-2010, 06:47 PM
I see a remanufactured a LCM on Ebay, part number: 4W7Z-13C788-BB. Due to the fact that I do not trust my soldering skills, I should acquire an extra LCM. Will this unit work with my fog lights. I ask this question b/c all of these modules seem to be designed for Crown Vics and Marquises.
Thanks,
Matt
You need a Marauder-specific LCM so all the functions work.
Getting another LCM is just prolonging the inevitable.... the "new" LCM will fail again. Just like if you replace the OEM relay with the same type. You are replacing garbage with garbage. The problem with the OEM relay is that it is too small to handle the high watts & amps for the headlights.
Send me your LCM and a small amount of money and I'll retrofit a heavy duty external relay. If..... if the relay goes bad I'll send you a new relay FREE.
4play
07-01-2010, 06:54 PM
Well if this new relay fails within a year ill do the external relay solution, if it lasts more then a year ill put another small one in
4play
07-02-2010, 07:18 PM
Well, she's fixed, overall an easy job, that top connector is not that bad, the clip is on top you need to push it down then pull. Once you wiggle it out just take the cover off that wick stuff is crap, so I could not remove the old solder I pushed the terminals through with the iron. Then used the iron on the bottom of the board and pushed a needle through the top to make the holes bigger, place the new relay used the old solder to tack it then just topped it up with fresh, done. Installing it was the toughest part, I bent that metal hanger bracket down just a little bit, that made it a lot easier. Caption chops try it, its not that hard.
fastblackmerc
07-03-2010, 05:17 AM
Well if this new relay fails within a year ill do the external relay solution, if it lasts more then a year ill put another small one in
I guess you like taking the LCM out............
SC Cheesehead
07-03-2010, 07:13 AM
Well, she's fixed, overall an easy job, that top connector is not that bad, the clip is on top you need to push it down then pull. Once you wiggle it out just take the cover off that wick stuff is crap, so I could not remove the old solder I pushed the terminals through with the iron. Then used the iron on the bottom of the board and pushed a needle through the top to make the holes bigger, place the new relay used the old solder to tack it then just topped it up with fresh, done. Installing it was the toughest part, I bent that metal hanger bracket down just a little bit, that made it a lot easier. Caption chops try it, its not that hard.
I guess you like taking the LCM out............
Looks like he's got the method down, fbm...;)
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