Headlight Control Module

[Paul Neubauer]

I am having problems with my headlights auto leveling and my dealership only wants me to drop the truck off for 5+ days until it can be diagnosed and will not provide a service loaner or rental until they have completed the diagnosis. At this point, I am completely disgusted with the Ford brand and will just have to figure out how to fix the problem myself. If I replace the headlight control module to attemp to fix the problem, is it just plug and play or do I need FDRS to program the module to the truck?

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[dolsen]

For those of use that are upgrading our headlamps to the projector LED, it seems to be as simple as dropping in the as-built values and that’s it. There are VIN values that can be written into the HCM as well. I bought an HCM from varsity Ford for $66 shipped.

 

[Paul Neubauer]

For those of use that are upgrading our headlamps to the projector LED, it seems to be as simple as dropping in the as-built values and that’s it. There are VIN values that can be written into the HCM as well. I bought an HCM from varsity Ford for $66 shipped.

Now I am wondering which piece has the problem... Both headlights will have random leveling issues with the right side being wrong more often than the left. Ford has two different parts listed and I am know unsure what to throw money at to do Fords work for them. I assume there is only one headlight control module but it shows it behind the headlights and then the actuater is shown to be in the cab under the steering wheel which is odd. The actuators may be my problem more the the HCU...

 

[dolsen]

The silver piece is the ballast for the headlights, the black piece is the HCM. You have 2 ballasts in the truck and one HCM

 

[Paul Neubauer]

These were the last faults pulled from FDRS.

 

[Paul Neubauer]

Current faults in ForScan.

 

[Snakebitten]

One HCM in cabin

And I'm guessing you did a PMI in FDRS
(Although I don't know whether it's better to say yes or no to "replace", in your case since it's an upgrade?)

 

[Paul Neubauer]

One HCM in cabin

And I'm guessing you did a PMI in FDRS
(Although I don't know whether it's better to say yes or no to "replace", in your case since it's an upgrade?)

Is there more to do after I replace it to calibrate everything or does it do all that itself? Am I correct assuming the module has the problem or is it something else associated with each ligh assemble causing the leveling issues? I hate to just throw money at the problem but Ford will do nothing to get the truck fixed other than take it and let you walk everywhere you need to be for a week!

 

[Snakebitten]

Are these your factory headlights, or did you upgrade?

 

[dolsen]

Is there more to do after I replace it to calibrate everything or does it do all that itself? Am I correct assuming the module has the problem or is it something else associated with each ligh assemble causing the leveling issues? I hate to just throw money at the problem but Ford will do nothing to get the truck fixed other than take it and let you walk everywhere you need to be for a week!

IMO it is more likely to be the HCM (I’m not great with electrical troubleshooting and wouldn’t even be able to tell you where to start aside from throwing parts at it) and dropping $70 to try it out would be worth it to me, but again, that’s my opinion, not yours.

the likelihood of both headlamps going bad at the same time would be incredibly low, but not zero

 

[dolsen]

One HCM in cabin

And I'm guessing you did a PMI in FDRS
(Although I don't know whether it's better to say yes or no to "replace", in your case since it's an upgrade?)

Where do you go to find this type of documentation? I’m not afraid of purchasing a service manual as long as the cost is reasonable

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Where do you go to find this type of documentation? I’m not afraid of purchasing a service manual as long as the cost is reasonable

https://www.helminc.com

 

[Paul Neubauer]

Are these your factory headlights, or did you upgrade?

It's the factory lights and the problem has existed since new. I have attempted to get it fixed several times but always get the same "Drop it off and we will get to it in a week or so" response and "We don't have service loaners and you don't get a rental until we diagnose your truck" from the dealership.

 

[Paul Neubauer]

https://www.helminc.com

Just ordered the manual to help solve this problem and fix it correctly. Thanks for the link!

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Have you pm'ed with Jesse, or livingitup about this those guys may have some good ideas as far as diagnosis of the problem. This could be totally software related. Before you start throwing money at it for parts. I would check with the gurus on this. Could be as simple as a forscan change. But I not sure, this is where I would start.

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