Headlight Control Module

[jsignorelli]

I guess it was my turn to have this part fail. I brought it to my dealer. He wanted $1,100 to replace the defective module ($ 700 part) and also wants 5 hours of labor. I took the part out in 20 minutes. Next, I sent it out to a guy who advertises on eBay for repairing this very common problem. Cost...$ 75.00, AND A GUARENTEE of never to fail again.

It seems that the Panther chasis for 03-04-05 used a control module with a defective thermal switch. When the car gets 50k miles, this unit begins to fail. Headlights go off, or won't turn on, or what ever they felt like doing.

Ford will not issue a TSB on this problem, nor issue a recall. In 10 minutes of internet surfing, I found 22 crown Vics with the problem and numerous Marauders, Police cars, and Lincolns. There were even a few dash fires as a result of this module failing, but Ford will not issue any kind of alert.

It is nice to see that our two watchdog federal agencies aren't watching.

[SC Cheesehead]

I guess it was my turn to have this part fail. I brought it to my dealer. He wanted $1,100 to replace the defective module ($ 700 part) and also wants 5 hours of labor. I took the part out in 20 minutes. Next, I sent it out to a guy who advertises on eBay for repairing this very common problem. Cost...$ 75.00, AND A GUARENTEE of never to fail again.

It seems that the Panther chasis for 03-04-05 used a control module with a defective thermal switch. When the car gets 50k miles, this unit begins to fail. Headlights go off, or won't turn on, or what ever they felt like doing.

Ford will not issue a TSB on this problem, nor issue a recall. In 10 minutes of internet surfing, I found 22 crown Vics with the problem and numerous Marauders, Police cars, and Lincolns. There were even a few dash fires as a result of this module failing, but Ford will not issue any kind of alert.

It is nice to see that our two watchdog federal agencies aren't watching.

You could have had fastblakmerc repair the LCM with a heavy duty relay thatis guaranteed for life as well, and prolly for a few bucks less.

Problem is definitely a common one, but as the Panther platform is now disontinued, it's doubtful Ford's going to provide any future corrective action, oither tha offering to sell you a new LCM...

[DOOM]

$1,100!!!!

[SC Cheesehead]

$1,100!!!!

IIRC, an OEM replacement LCM is like $600 - $700, add in a couple hours for standard rate shop labor and there you go.

FBM's $50 don't sound too bad after considering that, does it?

[jsignorelli]

My dealer's shop manager gave me the "Deer in the headlights look" when I asked him... If I did have you put the Ford part in, doesn't it still have the bad thermal switch on the circuit board?
After hearing the pin drop, I took the car away from him.

[SC Cheesehead]

My dealer's shop manager gave me the "Deer in the headlights look" when I asked him... If I did have you put the Ford part in, doesn't it still have the bad thermal switch on the circuit board?
After hearing the pin drop, I took the car away from him.

^^^^ You betcha, smart move! HD relay is the only thing that will resolve the headlight failure issue with the LCM, and dealerships won't touch 'em.

[jsignorelli]

I have heard that the AC control module is also likely to fail. Is this true?

[DOOM]

LCM $700.00???

Last I heard they were $300 - $400.00

WTF happened!?!?

[Bigdogjim]

LCM $700.00???

Last I heard they were $300 - $400.00

WTF happened!?!?

No one is selling cars like they use to so they all jack up the price of parts

[screamn]

One word.....

STEALERSHIP!!!!

[bigmerc'03]

so where can i get a heavy duty one from

[Spectragod]

The car is discontinued, when parts supplies start getting low, the price seems to go up.....

[DOOM]

The car is discontinued, when parts supplies start getting low, the price seems to go up.....

Agreed but damn!!! They just stopped production!!!

It's not like it's been 10 years!!!

[SC Cheesehead]

so where can i get a heavy duty one from

PM fastblackmerc, he'll fix you up.

As for the EATC, yup, not a matter of IF it will fail, but WHEN. FBM's the man to fix that up as well.

[Spectragod]

Agreed but damn!!! They just stopped production!!!

It's not like it's been 10 years!!!

But that LCM only works in the 04' MY, IIRC, they only are required to support the parts for the vehicle for either 5 or 7 years after manufacture date.