Headlights not working, they go on and off?

Tiny
JEREMYT
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
My headlights and high beams will turn off at random times. All my other lights work, and the high beams work if I manually hold the high beams toward me, but you can see how this is a real problem at night. I haven't been able to go anywhere after dark because they are so unreliable. What is the problem?
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Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 5:15 PM

43 Replies

Tiny
WAY2OLD
  • MECHANIC
  • 195 POSTS
Hello,

These cars have a lighting module that goes out here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
KOALAMOM
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Yep the lighting module fixed mine I got a used one for $45.00 all set! I love this site
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Friday, December 13th, 2019 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
CARLITOS MARIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
The front lights stopped working after 2 months after the recall (bypass). Could the LCM Relay be wrong or what does the bypass remove the relay?
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
When they did the recall did they replace the LCM? If not, it looks like the repair did not correct the concern. So it is rare but there are times when the dealer does not do the recall correctly. Maybe they put a new tech on it and they didn't understand something but it is pretty clear that this is a known issue.

I would take it back to the dealer that did the repair however, below you will find the wiring diagram of your lighting system if you want to test the power coming out of the LCM.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I would test the wire coming out of the LCM going to the switch to see if there is power. If not then the LCM is the issue.

Let us know what questions you have. Thanks
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICHOLEPOTTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 150,000 MILES
My running beams stay on and I can manually hold my brights on but my brights are shinning my reg. Beams. Then while driving my lights started working but when I parked my lights stopped working and so did my car locks. Any ideas its an 04 ford crown victoria
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
The Light Control Module for this model has a high rate of failure and some geniuses have come up with a solution for this by bypassing the it.

Using a 4 pin relay connect as follows at the LCM (light control module).

Tee in orange/white wire at lcm (bat +) to pin 30 & pin 85 of relay.
Tee in red/yellow wire at lcm (headlamp input) to pin 86 of relay.
Cut gray wire at lcm (power feed to multi-function switch) cover gray wire from lcm with tape - connect gray wire from multi-function switch to pin 87 of relay.

Test the operation.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HONEYSA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 160,000 MILES
Suddenly all headlights, turn signals, tail gate lights and hazard (emergency) flashers stopped working, only break lights working fine. All fuses are fine. Any suggestions what could be the problem.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Possible Lighting Control Module at fault all that is effected are control by module.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HONEYSA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I thought it maybe LCM thanks for the info.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JKK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
While driving last nite the headlamps only(parking, tail, dash, all others stayed on) went out. Had the system on autolamp, but when switched to manual still stayed off. After bout 3 minutes the headlamps came back on for maybe 3 minutes, then off again. Went thru several cycles of this, before I gave up and called tow truck. Could pull the flass-to-pass back on the dimmer and bright lights would stay on long as holding dimmer switch in flash to pass position. Where should I begin to solve this problem. Thanks, jeff
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZPOLACHEK
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I also own a 2003 Crown Vic. Mine is a Police Interceptor with around 103K on it. I took it in to my local mechanic and we figured its one of two things. The first thing might be that the LCM (lighting control module) is going bad. With the LCMs there are different ones for certain years so if you are going to replace it, find out what the part number is on your module first and try to find a used one. From what I saw, prices range from about 80 bucks to 500 for used. To locate your LCM, look up under the dash near the steering column. Its not hard to find.

A new LCM will run you around 400-500 bucks. Be wary of used LCMs though because they might have the same fault. The second option which your problem might is the multi-function switch in the steering column. The MFS controls your low beams, high beams, flash to pass, turn signals and hazard lights. I am not sure what they run in price but its safe to say that you may spend about the same for this as for an LCM. Probably will be less though because the LCM is a series of computer boards with numerous curcuits and so forth. I have yet to fix my lights, but these are two fix options that every mechanic I have talked to agrees on.

There is a minor but third possibility as well. If you own a former police car like me, check to make sure that the headlight flasher is not installed still. If it is still there than that will be what is causing it. To check for this, look near your radiator cross beam under the hood or above the front right wheel well. Those are the two most popular mounting locations for flashers.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JFERRISRX
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
ZPOL, update for you. After doing a lot of research, I found out what was wrong with my LCM, the relay they used for the headlamps is a little piece if CRAP. I ordered a new one online for $3.38, took out the old one, shouldered in the new one, and PRESTO, headlamps work fine! Hopefully this will fix the issue for a few years. There is also a wire harness upgrade you can do to it. Basically, you use a 30 amp horn relay, attach 10-12 guage wire, and then you have a premanent fix. Dealer wanted 450 for a new LCM, and 150 for the job. I paid $3.38 for the relay, and a few bucks on some solder. Mouser Part
number 551-EQ1-11111S MFR Part number EQ1-11111S
No minimum order, free ground shipping.
I hope this helps others in the future to save $$$
-Jason
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZPOLACHEK
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
That sounds a lot cheaper, but a more time consuming repair. The LCM I replaced my old one with was an aftermarket LCM which Ford bought to replace the stock LCMs since the relays in the stock mods were not guaranteed to not fail.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
COBRA260Z
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks a lot to jferrisrx for his msg. We were able to fix our LCM for $20 and in less than an hour because of his post and links provided.
Just a heads up to anyone trying to do this, Mouser. Com was back ordered up to 16 wks for this component. A little research led us to wellgainelectronics. Com where they had part
#NEC MR301-HSL which they said was a better replacement for NEC EQ1-11111S. Plus it was in stock and got to us in 3 days.
Thanks again for a great post jferrisrx!
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RH1974
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for all the posts on this issue. Just a heads up I noticed when I took the LCM apart under the board where the headlight relay is located it had some bad solder joints. They were very minor and I decided to just clean the contacts and solder joints with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol then resolder the bad joints. I test drove afterwards and the lights stayed on thank God as they have not worked in about a year. I hope this helps someone else if you're looking for an easy fix.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMICHAEL5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
To Jferrisrx and all:

the LCM fixed my car thank you.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE3561
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Problem at night by the headlights shut off by themselves and do not turn back on until I pull the turn signal knob back and have to hold the bights on until I hear a click under the dash and then when they come back on for only about 2 to 3 minutes they shut off and again and I have to repeat the process. Again and Again. Please HELP!

Michael Manning
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Check/replace the lighting control mdule..

Lighting Control Module.....Behind center of dash. See Fig. 4.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_mod_1.jpg

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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GINOLENA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It was the LCM on my car lights work again.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMMYLIMO
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
  • 110,795 MILES
Ok! This Is My Problem! I Have No! Headlights Or Instrument Cluster Lights! But I Do Have High Beams, signal lights, brake Lights and Instrument Warning Lights! I Have Checked All Fuses Inside And They Are Fine! Checked Fuses In Distrbution Box They Are Fine Too! Can Somebody Tell Me What I Missed? Is There A Relay Or Hidden Fuse I Don't Know About? P.S. Also Changed Switch Still No! HeadLights!
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)

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