2021 new headlights

[tiewan]

So, I had the dreaded DRL half working issue. My truck was at the dealership for 3 weeks, utter fiasco.
But my question is, if you have to replace your headlight assembly, do have to reprogram the body control module? Please tell me these trucks arent that complicated that you have to reprogram some module to replace a headlight?
I ask because they first wanted to replace the BCM to fix the issue. I was told you needed 2 keys to reprogram it. Of course I only had 1 key (bought the truck used and it only came with 1 key). Had to buy a new key so they could program the BCM and not surprising, that didnt fix the issue. In the end, it was whole new headlight assembly to fix the issue.
So yea, if you have to replace a headlight, say a rock hit it and cracked it and you want to put in a new one. Does the truck really need to be reprogrammed for the new light assembly?

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[fordtruckman2003]

I switched headlights on my 2021 and nothing needed to be reprogrammed. That is with high trim lights. The lower trim lights are not as smart so less modules involved.

 

[tiewan]

Yea, what they told me didnt make sense. These are XLT trim lights, so not the higher trim ones.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

In that case the BCM might be involved more.

BCM is what we change in Forscan for light settings. My Lariat has a headlight module that I don't think is on XLT.

Hopefully dealer can figure out your issue.

 

[HammaMan]

BCM plays no meaningful role in the DRL issues on either quad beams or projectors. Projector additional functionality comes from the HCM. While the DRLs are powered from a fet in the BCM, the issue is with the LEDs in the lamps themselves burning out. The likely culprit is the sun baking them combined with them running and further heating up in direct sunlight.

The first failures came from texas and FL which are heavy sun states. I think we also saw a failure in a canadian truck, but the first trucks were TX IIRC.

 

[Mosey]

What lights did you put in?

 

[tiewan]

The dealer ended up getting it sorted. I had an extended warranty on the truck and took it in to see if the lights were covered. In the end, they were and whole new assemblies were put in. The fact they made me buy a key to program a BCM to work the headlights didnt sit well, being that it didnt fix the issue. They told me they had to program the BCM for the new light assemblies regardless. This being done under warranty, of course they wanted to start with replacing the cheapest part, the BCM.

If you have to do programming to pair up a new set of lights means these new vehicles are way to complicated.

 

[HammaMan]

The dealer ended up getting it sorted. I had an extended warranty on the truck and took it in to see if the lights were covered. In the end, they were and whole new assemblies were put in. The fact they made me buy a key to program a BCM to work the headlights didnt sit well, being that it didnt fix the issue. They told me they had to program the BCM for the new light assemblies regardless. This being done under warranty, of course they wanted to start with replacing the cheapest part, the BCM.

If you have to do programming to pair up a new set of lights means these new vehicles are way to complicated.

You don't even need to 'reprogram' the BCM going from quads to projectors. Just a couple forscan changes.

Typical stealership nonsense. When you get the survey be sure to review them appropriately.
Oh, most importantly get your $ back.

 

[tiewan]

Being that I only had 1 key, I wanted a second one. I just didnt want to be forced to buy it right now.
I argued with the service guy about it. Told him he was full of shit that the BCM didnt have to be reprogrammed for a new headlight assembly. He told me not to trust the internet mechanics LOL. You guys on here know twice as much as a dang dealership tech.

They had my truck for 3 weeks, for a damn headlight. Ill be investing in a ODBII cable and learning FORSCAN for future needs.

He did mention the survey that it targeted to his service. Do they send those in the mail? I am looking forward to filling it out.

 

[HammaMan]

Mine comes via email. Key fobs are $30 and you just need the key blade cut to match. Did they actually delete the other key that was programmed in (you can see this w/ forscan)?

 

[tiewan]

I'm not sure what they did with the keys. I don't have forscan yet to check in there. I got my original key and an extra (with no key blade either). They charged me about $250 (originally told me $500) for the key. Warranty covered everything else except the $100 deductible. Overall, not a terrible amount of money, but I feel like I got jacked around with it.

 

[rjinaz]

They charged you $250 for a FOB with no key blank? Crooks.
You can pick up OEM FOBS on Amazon for under $100.
My 2019 only had one key when I bought it. Got a proper OEM FOB off of Amazon for $59 and the dealership programmed it for me.

 

[tiewan]

Yep. And the original cost quoted was almost $500. They were charging for the key plus labor to program it. I had already looked at prices for keys and knew what they were quoting was way tooo high.

 

[Kanuck]

BCM plays no meaningful role in the DRL issues on either quad beams or projectors. Projector additional functionality comes from the HCM. While the DRLs are powered from a fet in the BCM, the issue is with the LEDs in the lamps themselves burning out. The likely culprit is the sun baking them combined with them running and further heating up in direct sunlight.

The first failures came from texas and FL which are heavy sun states. I think we also saw a failure in a canadian truck, but the first trucks were TX IIRC.

Good point - Living in Canada, I don't see many trucks with DRL's not working. I have seen maybe 3 trucks in the last year or so with DRL's not working.

Side note.....
Watched a YouTube video about somebody taking a headlight assembly apart, from a XLT, with the DRL not working. He found the DRL is only one LED and a fiber optic (for the lack of what it is actually called) running down the side of the assembly. The "Fiber Optic" was blackened on the end, not allowing light to transfer onto the fiber. This would stop any light from traveling down the fiber. The DRL's are not a bunch of LED's, but just one. Because of the work required to take the light apart, sanding off the black mark may not be a option.

Instead of turning the DRL output up, maybe turning it down would lessen the chances of it burning the fiber.

 

[Kanuck]

Here i that YouTube video

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