Courtesy Lamps

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The BCM controls the courtesy lighting functions and timing by monitoring inputs from the following:

Ignition state
Courtesy lamp switch (integrated into the front interior lamp assembly)
Door ajar switches
RKE system

The BCM sends a voltage signal to each door ajar switch. When the doors are closed, the circuit is switched to ground and the voltage is pulled low, indicating closed doors.

The BCM monitors the ignition state and inputs from the RKE system to determine when to energize the interior light relay. When the interior light relay is energized, voltage is provided to the interior lamps. The BCM controls the voltage side of the courtesy lamps for the illuminated entry and exit features.

For keyless entry, the BCM monitors input from the RKE transmitter (directly from the integrated keyhead transmitters (IKTs) on vehicles without push button start) or from the RFA module (on vehicles with push button start) to determine when to activate/deactivate the illuminated entry and exit functions.

When the puddle lamps are requested, the BCM sends a message over the HS-CAN1 to the GWM then the GWM sends the message to the DDM and the PDM over the MS-CAN.

The DDM and the PDM provide voltage to the left and right puddle lamps based on messaged input from the BCM.

The interior courtesy lamps can also be activated from the courtesy lamp switch mounted on the front interior lamp. The front interior lamp controls the courtesy lamp function of the rear interior lamps. When the courtesy lamp button is pressed on the front interior lamp, the courtesy lamp function for all the lamps is turned on/off. If any door is open, the BCM command overrides the function of the front courtesy lamp switch and activates the courtesy lamps.

There are three control switches on the front row lamp:

Global On
Global Off
Door Defeat

The global on and off buttons activate or de-activate the courtesy lamps while the doors are closed.

The door defeat button deactivates the courtesy lamps so when the doors are opened the courtesy lamps remain off. When the door defeat function is activated, the door defeat button illuminates amber in color and when de-activated, the button illuminates blue and the courtesy lamps return to normal operation.

If any door is open and the door defeat function is activated, the global on and off buttons will continue to function and activate or de-activate the courtesy lamps.