Pinpoint Test G: The Autolamps Are Inoperative

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

G1 RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE SECURITY MODULE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCs)
NOTE: Make sure the headlamp switch is in the OFF position.
- Key in ON position.
- Carry out the vehicle security module on-demand self-test.
- Is DTC B1792 or B1793 present?
Yes

GO to G4.

No

GO to G2.
G2 CHECK THE INPUT FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect: Vehicle Security Module C3203e.
- Turn the headlamp switch to the AUTO position.
- Measure the voltage between the vehicle security module C3203e-5, circuit 1399 (DB/WH), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 1: Checking Input From Headlamp Switch
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes

TURN the headlamp switch OFF. GO to G4.

No

TURN the headlamp switch OFF. GO to G3.
G3 CHECK CIRCUIT 1399 (DB/WH) FOR AN OPEN
- Disconnect: Headlamp Switch C205a.
- Carry out the headlamp switch component test.
  Refer to COMPONENT TESTING for schematic and connector information.
- Is the headlamp switch OK?
Yes

REPAIR circuit 1399 (DB/WH). TEST the system for normal operation.

No

INSTALL a new headlamp switch. Refer to HEADLAMP SWITCH . TEST the system for normal operation.
G4 MONITOR THE PHOTOCELL SENSOR INPUT
- Connect: Vehicle Security Module C3203e.
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: Vehicle Security Module Photocell Sensor PID.
- Turn the headlamp switch to the AUTO position.
- Monitor the vehicle security module photocell sensor PID while illuminating, then removing the light source from the light sensor.
- Does the PID percentage change with the sensor covered and then illuminated?
Yes

GO to G8.

No

GO to G5
G5 CHECK CIRCUIT 1205 (BK) FOR AN OPEN
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect: Photocell Sensor C286.
- Measure the resistance between the photocell sensor C286-5, circuit 1205 (BK), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 2: Checking Circuit 1205 (BK) For An Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes

GO to G6.

No

REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
G6 CHECK CIRCUIT 218 (WH/VT) FOR SHORT TO POWER
- Disconnect: Vehicle Security Module C3203e.
- Key in ON position.
- Measure the voltage between the photocell sensor C286-2, circuit 218 (WH/VT), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 3: Checking Circuit 218 (WH/VT) For Short To Power
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is any voltage present?
Yes

REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.

No

GO to G7.
G7 CHECK CIRCUIT 218 (WH/VT) FOR OPEN OR SHORT TO GROUND
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between the photocell sensor C286-2, circuit 218 (WH/VT), harness side and the vehicle security module C3203e-4, circuit 218 (WH/VT), harness side; and between the photocell sensor C286-2, circuit 218 (WH/VT), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 4: Checking Circuit 218 (WH/VT) For Open Or Short To Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms between the photocell sensor and the vehicle security module; and greater than 10,000 ohms between the photocell sensor and ground?
Yes

INSTALL a new photocell sensor. REFER to PHOTOCELL . TEST the system for normal operation.

No

REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation.
G8 CHECK FOR VEHICLE SECURITY MODULE OPERATION
- Disconnect all the vehicle security module connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the vehicle security module connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes

INSTALL a new vehicle security module. Refer to VEHICLE SECURITY MODULE . TEST the system for normal operation.

No

The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.