Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Lincoln MKX and 2014 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Headlamp Control Module (HCM) receives information from the communication network such as vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and headlamp on/off status. Based on the information received, the HCM determines if the headlamps need to be angled left or right as well as the degree of angle.

The HCM does not operate the adaptive headlamps feature until the vehicle speed is above 5 km/h (3 mph).

When the ignition transitions to RUN, the HCM runs an initialization check to determine the straight-ahead position of the headlamps. The lamps track left to right, then back to center to signify that the system is operating correctly.

If the HCM does not receive the required information over the communication network or determines there is a fault with the circuitry to the sensors or control motors, it defaults the headlamps to the straight-ahead position and sets a DTC(s).