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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1590 (Exterior Lighting System) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Autolamps >> Principles of Operation

Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2006 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2006 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 AUTOLAMP 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 requests the headlamps and parking lamps turned on. When the autolamps are disabled, the vehicle security module request the headlamps and parking lamps 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 requests that the exterior lamps turned on or off based on ambient light level. If the vehicle enters darkness for at least 15 seconds, the vehicle security module requests the exterior lamps on. If the vehicle enters light for at least 15 seconds, the vehicle security module requests 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.