Headlights go out

[Spiderplow]

Recently my headlights won't go on when I start the MM. Usually with a few minutes of turning the blinkers on and off they go back on. I took it to the dealer and they could'nt make it happen. They said to replace the module is $400-$500. Anybody experience this or have a solution? It only happens about once a week, but it is annoying.

[fastblackmerc]

Recently my headlights won't go on when I start the MM. Usually with a few minutes of turning the blinkers on and off they go back on. I took it to the dealer and they could'nt make it happen. They said to replace the module is $400-$500. Anybody experience this or have a solution? It only happens about once a week, but it is annoying.

Send me a PM. I can fix it for you much cheaper.

[musclemerc]

^^^ What he said.

[SC Cheesehead]

Here are a bunch of threads that relate to the LCM issues:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/search.php?searchid=3544957

But if you want the problem fixed, done right, and for a very reasonable price, PM fastblackmerc... :up:

[RF Overlord]

^^^what they said^^^

Very common problem that's relatively easy and inexpensive to fix, once you know what to do. Dealer will stick it to you. Either DIY or let Jim (fastblackmerc) do it and you won't be disappointed.

[FX1]

This has happen to myself Twice in the last few weeks. I'll trade my floor mats for the fix

[teamrope]

Send me a PM. I can fix it for you much cheaper.

^^^He^^^ knows what he's talking about here.... Saved me a BUNCH of $$$ when the wifes went out on her DTR, fast turn around too. :up:

[fastblackmerc]

This has happen to myself Twice in the last few weeks. I'll trade my floor mats for the fix

The floormats would have to be brand new.

[CBT]

The floormats would have to be brand new.

lol, such a meanie

[eric jones]

I am currently having the same issue. I am going after Ford to make them either fix it or pay for the repair. I filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA and Ford. This is a serious safety issue and they should correct the problem. I know the Toyota Prius had an issue with headlights not working properly and a law suit was filed and they corrected the problem. I think if enough of us filed complaints we may be able to have it corrected. I think it is worth a try and I am pushing the issue.

[fastblackmerc]

I am currently having the same issue. I am going after Ford to make them either fix it or pay for the repair. I filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA and Ford. This is a serious safety issue and they should correct the problem. I know the Toyota Prius had an issue with headlights not working properly and a law suit was filed and they corrected the problem. I think if enough of us filed complaints we may be able to have it corrected. I think it is worth a try and I am pushing the issue.

Good luck.

[PonyUP]

I am currently having the same issue. I am going after Ford to make them either fix it or pay for the repair. I filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA and Ford. This is a serious safety issue and they should correct the problem. I know the Toyota Prius had an issue with headlights not working properly and a law suit was filed and they corrected the problem. I think if enough of us filed complaints we may be able to have it corrected. I think it is worth a try and I am pushing the issue.

Well the Prius got recalled because it was accellerating on it's own at random, and people were suprised that car even accelerated at all :lol:

But trying to get Ford to care about a car, and a platform that is no longer in production will be like trying to make Kathey Bates look good. If you squint real hard, and drink enough, she might do the trick, but in the end you'll tilt at windmills and still go home unsatisfied

[MercNasty]

Fastblackmerc can fix it and have it back to you in a few days. He fixed mine about a year ago and headlights have worked perfect every since.

[SC Cheesehead]

I am currently having the same issue. I am going after Ford to make them either fix it or pay for the repair. I filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA and Ford. This is a serious safety issue and they should correct the problem. I know the Toyota Prius had an issue with headlights not working properly and a law suit was filed and they corrected the problem. I think if enough of us filed complaints we may be able to have it corrected. I think it is worth a try and I am pushing the issue.

For what you're going to spend on postage and phone calls chasing this down a rabbit trail, fastblackmerc can fix your LCM 10 times over.

But hey, knock yourself out...:rolleyes:

[fastblackmerc]

Fastblackmerc can fix it and have it back to you in a few days. He fixed mine about a year ago and headlights have worked perfect every since.


For what you're going to spend on postage and phone calls chasing this down a rabbit trail, fastblackmerc can fix your LCM 10 times over.

But hey, knock yourself out...:rolleyes:

Thanks guys....

Just fixed two more this week.

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanks guys....

Just fixed two more this week.


Maybe you need to contract through Ford, especially if the class action lawsuit moves forward...;)

[FX1]

I'm stuck at a friends house right now because they won't turn on!!! Ahhhh is there a quick fix?

[fastblackmerc]

I'm stuck at a friends house right now because they won't turn on!!! Ahhhh is there a quick fix?

You can try tapping the LCM. That might cause the relay contact to close.

[BATMOBIL]

Being a member is well worth it, thanks for all your info!! i've fixed my lights and AC unit!! Saved me enough to buy me a tune real soon!!!

[FX1]

how did you fix your lights batmobil?? yes this site is awsome when members arnt trying to make money from helping others..

[SC Cheesehead]

how did you fix your lights batmobil?? yes this site is awsome when members arnt trying to make money from helping others..


If the LCM is acting up, do yourself a favor and just send it to fastblackmerc for an HD relay retrofit. Far and away the best and easiest fix for this problem, and will work out much better than replacing the OEM relay with another of the same.

[RF Overlord]

yes this site is awsome when members arnt trying to make money from helping others..You care to explain that?

[SC Cheesehead]

You care to explain that?

I take it to mean that FX1 recognizes what so many of the rest of us do:

MM.net is a very special community, and the membership gladly helps each other out with suggestions, advice, or hands-on help without thought of personal remuneration.

Let's hope that's what he means...

[MrBluGruv]

Even putting aside the fact that it is easier and quicker to either fix it yourself or let fastblackmerc do it, think about this:

Would Ford re-engineer the LCM for this fix for free, or just replace the unit for free if they were forced to handle this issue in court?

I'm putting my money on just replacing the unit, and if you think you'd be satisfied with that, you'd better be prepared for the same problem in another 5 or 6 years.

If you can solder well, the hardest part of the fix BY FAR (like, oh my god it's not even funny) is getting the thing in and out of the car. The fix itself is crazy easy, and in my case parts cost like $25 between a ridiculously HD relay and a socket with wire leads so it could be run outside the LCM and be interchanged if for some strange reason it happened again (this idea was taken from fastblackmerc's own recommendation on the fix in one thread, if I remember correctly.)

[SC Cheesehead]

Even putting aside the fact that it is easier and quicker to either fix it yourself or let fastblackmerc do it, think about this:

Would Ford re-engineer the LCM for this fix for free, or just replace the unit for free if they were forced to handle this issue in court?

I'm putting my money on just replacing the unit, and if you think you'd be satisfied with that, you'd better be prepared for the same problem in another 5 or 6 years.

If you can solder well, the hardest part of the fix BY FAR (like, oh my god it's not even funny) is getting the thing in and out of the car. The fix itself is crazy easy, and in my case parts cost like $25 between a ridiculously HD relay and a socket with wire leads so it could be run outside the LCM and be interchanged if for some strange reason it happened again (this idea was taken from fastblackmerc's own recommendation on the fix in one thread, if I remember correctly.)

Tell me about it!

I've got to pull the driver's seat and crawl in from the back just to get under the durn dashboard... :shake:

[05crownsport]

Fastblacmerc fixed my lcm and it was easy to get out and reinstall. If you need to drive it, pull your multi function stalk towards you...and hold it. Drive with high beams on, or wait till daylight. Tapping on lcm also works. By the way, did you check fuses first?

[SC Cheesehead]

Fastblacmerc fixed my lcm and it was easy to get out and reinstall. If you need to drive it, pull your multi function stalk towards you...and hold it. Drive with high beams on, or wait till daylight. Tapping on lcm also works. By the way, did you check fuses first?

For a while, but there are definitely a limited number of taps, ask me how I know... :cool:

[fastblackmerc]

how did you fix your lights batmobil?? yes this site is awsome when members arnt trying to make money from helping others..


You care to explain that?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say he's talking about me.

I charge $45.00 or $50.00 depending on the the shipping feature you want.

Lets pick the $50.00 option.........

Relay and harness - $15.00
3 hours of my time to: take apart, unsolder, cleanup the board, resolder, test (in my Marauder, yes I remove my LCM everytime), repackage for shipping, trip to the post office (about 8 miles from my house), stand inline for average of 20 minutes to get it weighed & shipped, drive back home.

So how much is YOUR time worth? After the parts are paid for I do this for about $11.66 per hour........

I don't charge for wear and tear on my equipment, solder, zip ties, split loom, bubble wrap, tape or boxes. And remember the Marauder only runs on 92 & above, currently at $3.35 / gallon.

So for the $50.00 + shipping (on your end) you save anywhere from $450.00 to $650.00 for a new LCM + labor. Not to mention that the "new" LCM WILL fail again.

Looking at this maybe I should charge more................

By the way I'll guarantee my repair for as long as the car is drivable.

[fastblackmerc]

If you can solder well, the hardest part of the fix BY FAR (like, oh my god it's not even funny) is getting the thing in and out of the car.

Here is how you get an LCM out of a Marauder:

LCM Removal:

The LCM is about the size of a brick and is located just to the right of the steering column, in front of the gas pedal.

There are 3 electrical connectors on the LCM.

Remove the bottom two connectors by depressing the tab and pulling on the connector.

Remove the 2 mounting screws with a 7mm nut driver or socket.

Push the LCM towards the gas pedal while rotating it up towards the roof. Once it’s free of the bracket, pull the back of the LCM down towards the floor.

You should now be able to release the last electrical connector.

Just reverse the steps for reinstallation.

[SC Cheesehead]

Here is how you get an LCM out of a Marauder:

LCM Removal:

The LCM is about the size of a brick and is located just to the right of the steering column, in front of the gas pedal.

There are 3 electrical connectors on the LCM.

Remove the bottom two connectors by depressing the tab and pulling on the connector.

Remove the 2 mounting screws with a 7mm nut driver or socket.

Push the LCM towards the gas pedal while rotating it up towards the roof. Once it’s free of the bracket, pull the back of the LCM down towards the floor.

You should now be able to release the last electrical connector.

Just reverse the steps for reinstallation.

This works unless your a big ol' bastage like me, then you have to add two steps to the process:

(1) Remove the driver's seat prior to engaging in the LCM removal.

(2) Replace the driver's seat after completing the LCM repair.

;)

[eric jones]

Yeah, I may end up having fastblackmerc fix it for me in the end but I still think it is well worth the effort (so far 2 phone calls) and maybe it will help someone else who doesn't know about the fix that is offered here. Maybe they would have fixed the problem if someone had pushed the issue sooner. Like I said "It's worth a try."

[SC Cheesehead]

Yeah, I may end up having fastblackmerc fix it for me in the end but I still think it is well worth the effort (so far 2 phone calls) and maybe it will help someone else who doesn't know about the fix that is offered here. Maybe they would have fixed the problem if someone had pushed the issue sooner. Like I said "It's worth a try."

They have a fix for the problem, they'll sell you a new LCM for $600. ;)

Keep in mind this is a part on what is now an obsolete platform. What incentive does Ford have to invest who knows how much money for a "fix" on a part that's for this obsolete platform?

I mean, you can knock yourself out over the next (days/months/years) trying to get them to respond, or you can spend a few bucks, have fastblackmerc fix the problem so it won't happen again, and move on to more productive endeavors.

But hey, if you want to push the issue, have at it. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[Marauder_Santa]

Fastblackmerc fixed my headlight issue a few months ago while he was here in Atlanta. Looking forward to his return so I can take him out to dinner again.

[TFB]

Tue night I met a car with their bright lights on, when I flashed mine theirs went off completely and I could see it was a '03-'05 Grand Marquis... They were no doubt holding them in the flash to pass position because of the LCM issue...

If you aren't versed in making PCB repairs, let fastblackmerc fix it and be done with the problem...

[fastblackmerc]

Fastblackmerc fixed my headlight issue a few months ago while he was here in Atlanta. Looking forward to his return so I can take him out to dinner again.

Need to do your EATC too...............

Next time I come to Atlanta.

[SC Cheesehead]

Need to do your EATC too...............

Next time I come to Atlanta.

Yup, not a matter of if it's gonna fail, but when; ask me how I know... :rolleyes:

[sspmustang]

Interesting and useful thread. I am having an issue with the wipers/washer motor intermittently coming on with my '04. From what I've been reading, the LCM might be suspect here? Seems to be far easier to R&R it than the wiper motors...Thx.

[fastblackmerc]

Interesting and useful thread. I am having an issue with the wipers/washer motor intermittently coming on with my '04. From what I've been reading, the LCM might be suspect here? Seems to be far easier to R&R it than the wiper motors...Thx.

No, the LCM isn't the problem with your wipers. Search for "wacky wipers".

[sspmustang]

Thanks much! Looks like some good info on addressing the issue.

[SC Cheesehead]

Interesting and useful thread. I am having an issue with the wipers/washer motor intermittently coming on with my '04. From what I've been reading, the LCM might be suspect here? Seems to be far easier to R&R it than the wiper motors...Thx.


No, the LCM isn't the problem with your wipers. Search for "wacky wipers".

The headlights are programed to come on when the wipers activate, other than that, there is no tie-in between the two (i.e. LCM issues will not trigger or prevent the wipers from functioning).

Here's the link FBM referenced. Biggest issue is build up of crap in the wiper motor housing which traps water, causing the issue with the wacky wipers.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47864

[FX1]

sorry fastblackmerc. and thank you for your insight on the lcm issue. i had know idea it was somthing that complex. I will pm you when im ready to have you fix it. i think im going to throw you a lil more then 50bucks. thanks again!!!!!