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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 696 (Exterior Lighting System -- Excursion & F250-F550 Super Duty) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Autolamps >> Principles of Operation

Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Pickup, 2004 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2004 Ford F450 Super Duty, 2004 Ford Excursion, and 2004 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The autolamp system provides light-sensitive automatic on/off control of the headlamps and parking lamps controlled by the vehicle security module when the headlamp switch is in the autolamps position. When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN or START position with the autolamps feature already enabled and the ambient light level is dark, the vehicle security module will request the headlamps and parking lamps be turned on. When the autolamps are disabled, the vehicle security module will request the headlamps and parking lamps to be turned off, regardless of the ignition switch position. When the vehicle security module has turned on the exterior lamps and the ignition is turned to the OFF or ACCY position, the exterior lamps will remain on for an additional 20 seconds.

When the autolamps have been enabled and the ignition switch is in the RUN/START position, the vehicle security module will request that the exterior lamps be turned on or off based on ambient light level. If the vehicle enters darkness for at least 15 seconds, the vehicle security module will request the exterior lamps on. If the vehicle enters light for at least 15 seconds, the vehicle security module will request the exterior lamps off. By delaying turning on and off the exterior lamps during short periods of darkness and light, the vehicle security module prevents the exterior lamps from flashing on and off.