15S39 LCM Bypass Recall - Documented

Newer Panthers have the kill-DRL via computer I've been told, the older ones it was a simple module to unplug.
 
Thank you for this post

Recently I got a nasty letter from Ford because I did not have the LCM recall done, threatening me for being negligent if the lights fail. The service department at my reputable local dealer advised against having this repair done unless I had any prior problems. Your explanation of the procedures involved clearly demonstrates that a half-ass fix to something that is not broken can be worse than leaving it alone. Thank you for this post, and I express my disappointment with Ford. :nono:
 
TrueBlue said:
Recently I got a nasty letter from Ford because I did not have the LCM recall done, threatening me for being negligent if the lights fail. The service department at my reputable local dealer advised against having this repair done unless I had any prior problems. Your explanation of the procedures involved clearly demonstrates that a half-ass fix to something that is not broken can be worse than leaving it alone. Thank you for this post, and I express my disappointment with Ford. :nono:
Click to expand...

I can fix your LCM for you.
 
With parts and directions from fastblackmerc, goldpanther, and limited360, I've gotten all of the exterior lights onto LEDs along with an external headlight harness to reduce the load on that relay in the LCM. And I had the warranty extension work done, too. Given how little I drive the car these days, not too worried about the new LCM going bad. I do recommend the external harness, though. Power the headlights through larger gauge wiring instead of that 18g wire running throughout. If I can get my crap together, though, I want to have my LCM upgraded, just to be safe. Fastblackmerc, I've probably said I'd be sending the damned thing out to you about a half dozen times by now. Sorry I'm such a putz. But the electronic signal flasher is sill working great.
 
The issue I'm having is that there's a short where the harness plugs into the LCM. Sometimes my taillights won't come on. I can reach up under the dash and wiggle the connector to the LCM, and when you hear a relay "click", the taillights will come on.

I've had the relays replaced in my LCM 100K ago, but not sure if this issue is fixable.
 
Bukwheet said:
The issue I'm having is that there's a short where the harness plugs into the LCM. Sometimes my taillights won't come on. I can reach up under the dash and wiggle the connector to the LCM, and when you hear a relay "click", the taillights will come on.

I've had the relays replaced in my LCM 100K ago, but not sure if this issue is fixable.
Click to expand...

Sounds like there is a loose or bent pin in the connector. I doubt it's a problem inside the LCM.
 
Bukwheet said:
The issue I'm having is that there's a short where the harness plugs into the LCM. Sometimes my taillights won't come on. I can reach up under the dash and wiggle the connector to the LCM, and when you hear a relay "click", the taillights will come on.



I've had the relays replaced in my LCM 100K ago, but not sure if this issue is fixable.
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I had the recall done and My brake lights won't come on either. Have to press the pedal pretty hard. I may swap the switch to see if it helps. If not, it's going back to the dealer.


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03Merc said:
I had the recall done and My brake lights won't come on either. Have to press the pedal pretty hard.
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So your brake lights DO come on, you just have to apply more pressure to the pedal. Check to see if the "tech" who performed the joke fix possibly dislodged the BOO switch or rerouted the wiring incorrectly.
 
RF Overlord said:
So your brake lights DO come on, you just have to apply more pressure to the pedal. Check to see if the "tech" who performed the joke fix possibly dislodged the BOO switch or rerouted the wiring incorrectly.
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The tech said the revised the brake light switch because of connection issues internally. I may throw a switch at it just to see how it is.


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03Merc said:
The tech said the revised the brake light switch because of connection issues internally. I may throw a switch at it just to see how it is.


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Sometimes the "push" bar on the switch becomes warped or bent. When you replace the switch check the connector and wires real good.
 
I'm wondering what percentage of these failed? I read where 5% was considered a major failure? I have the recall notice in hand but lights are working fine - have Marauder up for sale. I'm reminded of a non-hack repair performed on my Mustang last year. The 20a fuse for the driver's seat would pop intermittently - replaced it with a 20a circuit breaker - no more issues so far.
 
Thanks for the info. I have 2004 Merc Gran Marquis. Tail lights, markers lights went out once or twice over like 6 months. Finally 1 day, headlights went out.
Had the recall notices for a couple of years. I figured that I'd let a local, well reputable dealer do the LCM recall work. Never, ever did they mention that they
were going to only "jerry rig" this with a half-ass "by pass kit". The tail lights kept failing of course. Had my regular shop spend a few hours trying to figure out
the tail light marker light failure(s). We assumed that the LCM had been replaced... Replaced the headlight switch on the dash, special order, could not return, did not help.
Tried installing a new " all-in-one" switch on the steering column, did not help. Went back to dealer, said it was " body control module". Then dealer called back, said it wasn't that,
that it was the the LCM... Then they explained that they didn't originally replace the LCM, that they only did the LCM bypass kit... Which was all the recall called for: a repair to
prevent the headlights from going out unexpectedly... So now they could replace the LCM, which they should have done to begin with, for around $650. including labor...
But, this would take another week or 2, because of a back order on parts..... eye, yi, yi ...
 
Fatssstrucker said:
Thanks for the info. I have 2004 Merc Gran Marquis. Tail lights, markers lights went out once or twice over like 6 months. Finally 1 day, headlights went out.
Had the recall notices for a couple of years. I figured that I'd let a local, well reputable dealer do the LCM recall work. Never, ever did they mention that they
were going to only "jerry rig" this with a half-ass "by pass kit". The tail lights kept failing of course. Had my regular shop spend a few hours trying to figure out
the tail light marker light failure(s). We assumed that the LCM had been replaced... Replaced the headlight switch on the dash, special order, could not return, did not help.
Tried installing a new " all-in-one" switch on the steering column, did not help. Went back to dealer, said it was " body control module". Then dealer called back, said it wasn't that,
that it was the the LCM... Then they explained that they didn't originally replace the LCM, that they only did the LCM bypass kit... Which was all the recall called for: a repair to
prevent the headlights from going out unexpectedly... So now they could replace the LCM, which they should have done to begin with, for around $650. including labor...
But, this would take another week or 2, because of a back order on parts..... eye, yi, yi ...
Click to expand...

I could have saved you all that trouble by repairing your LCM.................. oh well.
 
Fatssstrucker said:
Thanks for the info. I have 2004 Merc Gran Marquis. Tail lights, markers lights went out once or twice over like 6 months. Finally 1 day, headlights went out.
Had the recall notices for a couple of years. I figured that I'd let a local, well reputable dealer do the LCM recall work. Never, ever did they mention that they
were going to only "jerry rig" this with a half-ass "by pass kit". The tail lights kept failing of course. Had my regular shop spend a few hours trying to figure out
the tail light marker light failure(s). We assumed that the LCM had been replaced... Replaced the headlight switch on the dash, special order, could not return, did not help.
Tried installing a new " all-in-one" switch on the steering column, did not help. Went back to dealer, said it was " body control module". Then dealer called back, said it wasn't that,
that it was the the LCM... Then they explained that they didn't originally replace the LCM, that they only did the LCM bypass kit... Which was all the recall called for: a repair to
prevent the headlights from going out unexpectedly... So now they could replace the LCM, which they should have done to begin with, for around $650. including labor...
But, this would take another week or 2, because of a back order on parts..... eye, yi, yi ...
Click to expand...

What ever you do, do NOT let the dealer do the LCM recall repair on your car. They will butcher the heck out of your wiring. Have FBM or someone just do a relay upgrade on your LCM = lifetime repair.
 
BLACKMARAUDER04 said:
Do not pay for the LCM. Get. Ford to cover it as it was recalled originally.


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This is true, but................. since new LCM's are NOT available from the dealer, the Ford approved repair is to hack the wiring to bypass the LCM. As you can see from Fatssstruckers post, that is what the dealer did..... hack up the wiring.
 
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