PonyGuy
10-25-2011, 12:59 AM
I haven't been active here on MM.net, but over at the CVN site, a solution to the problematic LCM has come about; I apologize if this is already common knowledge here at MM.net, but if it's new to everyone, it's overdue.
Once the LCM has the crappy relay replaced (I think FastBlackMerc does this repair) I rewired my GMQ's headlight circuit to power the headlights directly from the battery through a big honkin' 30-40 amp relay and 12 gauge wire. A member at CVN built a few of these relay and wiring harness assemblies for me and some of his other friends.
This solution helps out a couple of ways:
1.) The headlights run at full battery power, and do a much better job of lighting the road... especially with SilverStar Ultra headlamp bulbs.
2.) This mod takes the heavy 10+ amp headlamp load off the puny little (very marginal) relay in the LCM, and makes the LCM last a lot longer. Since this modification also eliminates the sudden loss of headlight function, it's also a significantly helpful safety issue.
I have no idea how Ford managed to convince anyone at NHTSA that this was not a genuine safety issue, but someone should hang for this. The idea that someone could drive any distance using the Flash-to-Pass feature as the sole headlight source is ludicrous. The engineer who signed off on the design of this LCM arrangement should go back to designing flashlights and crystal radios for Cub Scouts.
Once the LCM has the crappy relay replaced (I think FastBlackMerc does this repair) I rewired my GMQ's headlight circuit to power the headlights directly from the battery through a big honkin' 30-40 amp relay and 12 gauge wire. A member at CVN built a few of these relay and wiring harness assemblies for me and some of his other friends.
This solution helps out a couple of ways:
1.) The headlights run at full battery power, and do a much better job of lighting the road... especially with SilverStar Ultra headlamp bulbs.
2.) This mod takes the heavy 10+ amp headlamp load off the puny little (very marginal) relay in the LCM, and makes the LCM last a lot longer. Since this modification also eliminates the sudden loss of headlight function, it's also a significantly helpful safety issue.
I have no idea how Ford managed to convince anyone at NHTSA that this was not a genuine safety issue, but someone should hang for this. The idea that someone could drive any distance using the Flash-to-Pass feature as the sole headlight source is ludicrous. The engineer who signed off on the design of this LCM arrangement should go back to designing flashlights and crystal radios for Cub Scouts.