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!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :bs:

[SC Cheesehead]

$1,100!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :bs:

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!?!? :confused:

[Bigdogjim]

LCM $700.00???

Last I heard they were $300 - $400.00

WTF happened!?!? :confused:

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

[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. :up:

[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.

[RF Overlord]

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 removed the accelerator pedal (at the time I thought you had to), removed the LCM, took it apart, unsoldered the bad relay, soldered in a new one, reassembled the module, reinstalled everything and it STILL only took me about an hour and a half...

...and yet dealers are always crying that people bad-mouth them. I wonder why?


One word.....

STEALERSHIP!!!!Can I get an AMEN, brother!

[RF Overlord]

It seems that the Panther chasis for 03-04-05 used a control module with a defective thermal switch. For the sake of accuracy, it's not a thermal switch, it's a simple relay.
AND A GUARENTEE of never to fail again.If he simply replaced the relay with the same, it WILL fail again. fastblackmerc's fix uses an external HD relay that's unlikely to ever fail, but if it does, it's super-easy to replace.

[SC Cheesehead]

For the sake of accuracy, it's not a thermal switch, it's a simple relay. If he simply replaced the relay with the same, it WILL fail again. fastblackmerc's fix uses an external HD relay that's unlikely to ever fail, but if it does, it's super-easy to replace.

Big +1. If you ever had to, it would take all of two minutes to change out the external relay, you don't even have to mess with the LCM. The LCM external relay upgrade and the EATC O-ring replacement are two of the best mods for the money on my car, IMO.

[PonyUP]

How difficult is to remove an LCM for someone that can barely build something from IKEA? I have the dreaded LCM issue and FBM us out of extra modules, so I thought I would just send mine to him for the repair and drive the stang for a couple weeks, but I'm an idiot anyways, but even stupider when working on a car, but I did get the EATC out, so I'm hoping this is as easy

[SC Cheesehead]

How difficult is to remove an LCM for someone that can barely build something from IKEA? I have the dreaded LCM issue and FBM us out of extra modules, so I thought I would just send mine to him for the repair and drive the stang for a couple weeks, but I'm an idiot anyways, but even stupider when working on a car, but I did get the EATC out, so I'm hoping this is as easy


Biggest problem for us gentlemen of "girth" is fitting under the dash. If you can fit under there, removal of the LCM is pretty straightforward. I have to pull out my driver's seat to be able to get into the car and under the dash, other than that, pieceacake.

Hmmmm, cake, :drool:

[tbone]

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.

Why would Ford alert the consumer to a defect in their product that makes them and their dealerships boatloads of money?:lol:

Planned obsolescence at its' best.

[jsignorelli]

The dealer wanted $ 1,100 (parts and labor) for a dumb switch I can buy a Dell laptop with much more intelligence for that kind of money.... and it would be made in america. I question where the LCM was made.

I still can't get over them wanting $ 700 for the module and five hours labor, to install another defective part! And they sent Al Capone to prison for being a crook. Where would they send these dealers........ Washington?