15S39 LCM Bypass Recall - Documented

[ByronRACE]

Seriously gross. Ford should be embarrassed. How about desolder the relays on the module and replace. Any electronics repair shop can do such a thing. The relays are available through Allied.

I'm speaking to the proposed repair...not your workmanship.

Now we have dead relays in a module doing nothing, a couple pounds of box and wiring and relays that are redundant and unnecessary and clogging up an already crowded area, and a bunch of crimp connectors. Ick.

I prefer this method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYvZg0q7Seo

It can be done much faster if you spring for a decent soldering station and one of these. https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...EaArQREALw_wcB

[fastblackmerc]

Seriously gross. Ford should be embarrassed. How about desolder the relays on the module and replace. Any electronics repair shop can do such a thing. The relays are available through Allied.

I'm speaking to the proposed repair...not your workmanship.

Now we have dead relays in a module doing nothing, a couple pounds of box and wiring and relays that are redundant and unnecessary and clogging up an already crowded area, and a bunch of crimp connectors. Ick.

I prefer this method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYvZg0q7Seo

It can be done much faster if you spring for a decent soldering station and one of these. https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...EaArQREALw_wcB

Or send it to me for a nominal fee. I replace the headlight relay with a 40amp external relay and also replace the three other relays with higher amperage units. I also cover my repairs with a "life of the car" guaranty on my work.

Why spend money on tools you may use only once.

[fastblackmerc]

The very first LCM's I swapped out under 14N01 appeared the same, with Taiwan? relays. After they got past the initial backorder the LCM's for 14N01 were using Japanese relays IIRC - and that's a relay I would trust more than the original third world ones.

Even the Japanese relays are no higher amperage than the original relays. That's the problem, using relays that can not stand up to the high amperage, resulting in damaged contacts.

[Dragcity]

Mine will be on the way to you very soon. Went out on me again Wednesday night. Kicked a few times and, poof, back on. That will only work so long...

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Can someone post a picture where to find the LCM?
I'm on my third one. I want to find one in the junk yard but don't know what I'm looking for.

[fastblackmerc]

Mine will be on the way to you very soon. Went out on me again Wednesday night. Kicked a few times and, poof, back on. That will only work so long...

Correct... and you know it will fail for good when you need it the most.

[Dragcity]

It lives just above the OBDII port. Steel braket above it. Two 7 MM screws, Just need a nut driver, no rachet required. Three connectors in back Two grey ones come out easy. Then wiggle, force the thing out by pushing toward the fire wall and outward toward the driver side. Its in there..... Then you can dnagle it down to get the black plug from the white connector. That one is a pain. Has a little push tab in the middel that needs to be depressed. Gotta pull pretty hard to dislodge, while depressing the release tab.

JUST pulled mine out.

[fastblackmerc]

Can someone post a picture where to find the LCM?
I'm on my third one. I want to find one in the junk yard but don't know what I'm looking for.

You will have a 50-50 chance of getting one that works.

The LCM is about the size of a brick.
Located just to the right of the steering column by the OBDII connector.
There are 3 electrical connectors and two 7mm screws.

I'll pay $20.00 each for LCMs.

[Svashtar]

You will have a 50-50 chance of getting one that works.

The LCM is about the size of a brick.
Located just to the right of the steering column by the OBDII connector.
There are 3 electrical connectors and two 7mm screws.

I pay $20.00 each for LCMs.

So, if it fails, do you recommend replacing it, or rebuilding it with your suggested upgrades?

IIRC, after the underbody lighting kit was installed I started getting a "bzzzz" sound when the interior lights dimmed and went out, after getting in and out of the car.

That tells me a relay is opening and closing rapidly, but don't know if that has anything to do with the LCM.

[N40GL]

Sticky, please.

Perhaps also post a picture of the LCM, so we know what we are looking for (amongst a forest of black boxes).

[Svashtar]

Sticky, please.

Perhaps also post a picture of the LCM, so we know what we are looking for (amongst a forest of black boxes).

It's real obvious. When I tucked the extra cable away for my ScanGauge to the side of the ODB port you could look up and see it.

Lot's of boxes yes, but this is large and right there, so you won't easily confuse it with anything else.


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[RF Overlord]

Mark, it's really pretty obvious...it's right above the DLC (Data Link Connector), more commonly known as the OBD port. Looks like a black plastic brick. Run the adjustable pedals all the way down and you can manoeuvre it out.

[RF Overlord]

I'm on my third one. I want to find one in the junk yard but don't know what I'm looking for.

Good luck with that. You're taking a chance that the one from the yard is not just as bad as the one you have. Better to send yours to FBM or replace the relays yourself if you have circuit board repair experience.

[Marauderjack]

I had mine replaced under warranty in 2005....turn signals went out!!

That "warranty replacement" was later sent to "fastblackmerc" after he sent me one he had already repaired....still works PERFECTLY!!

Just got a "Recall Letter" from Ford to replace the one they replaced in 2005 but........at 263,000 miles I think they might just laugh!!

Thanks again Jim!!

[fastblackmerc]

I had mine replaced under warranty in 2005....turn signals went out!!

That "warranty replacement" was later sent to "fastblackmerc" after he sent me one he had already repaired....still works PERFECTLY!!

Just got a "Recall Letter" from Ford to replace the one they replaced in 2005 but........at 263,000 miles I think they might just laugh!!

Thanks again Jim!!

Your welcome!

Glad I could help out!