Dimmable Backlighting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The dimmable switches and components are illuminated when the parking lamps are on. The instrument panel dimmer switch, which is integral to the FLM , controls all dimmable interior illuminated components. On vehicles equipped with autolamps, if the exterior lamps are activated during the daytime, the message center illumination remains at full intensity and does not dim from the instrument panel dimmer switch during this condition. If the vehicle travels under a bridge or in a tunnel, the low level of ambient light causes the illumination level of the message center to change to the level set by the instrument panel dimmer switch. The message center illumination changes back to full intensity when the intense ambient light is restored.

When the parking lamps are on, the BCM sends a pulse-width modulated voltage to the non-networked dimmable components and switches based on input received from the instrument panel dimmer switch (part of the FLM ).

The BCM also sends the illumination dimming level message over the network. If a receiving module receives invalid backlighting data from the BCM for 5 seconds or less, the receiving module defaults the backlighting to the last setting.

If the receiving module does not receive the backlighting status message from the BCM or if the data received is deemed invalid for more than 5 seconds, the receiving module sets a DTC in continuous memory and defaults the backlighting to full nighttime intensity.