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System Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Lincoln MKT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

System Diagram 

GFD94846Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Network Message Chart 

Module Network Input Messages - BCM 

Broadcast Message Originating Module Message Purpose
Vehicle speed PCM Used to indicate vehicle speed to the BCM. When the courtesy lamps are on from an open door, the courtesy lamps turn off when the vehicle speed is greater than 15 kmh (9.3 mph).
Headlamp switch status SCCM Used to command the courtesy lamps on or off when the courtesy lamp switch is pressed.
Passive entry_lock request RFA module Used to provide information regarding the RKE system for the BCM to activate or deactivate the illuminated entry/exit features.
Passive entry_lock status
Passive entry_lock event number
Power liftgate mode status LTM Used to indicate the power liftgate ajar status for the BCM to activate or deactivate the courtesy lamps.

Module Network Input Messages - HVAC Module 

Broadcast Message Originating Module Message Purpose
Parking lamp status BCM Used to indicate whether the parking lamps are on or off to activate the ambient lighting.
Courtesy delay status BCM Used to indicate whether the courtesy delay feature is active or inactive.
Door courtesy light status BCM Used to indicate whether the courtesy lamps are on from an open door. The ambient lighting defaults to a preset color when a door is open.
Illuminated entry status BCM Used to indicate whether the illuminated entry feature is on or off. The ambient lighting defaults to a preset color when the illuminated entry feature is active.
Illuminated exit status BCM Used to indicate whether the illuminated exit feature is on or off. The ambient lighting defaults to a preset color when the illuminated exit feature is active.
Ambient light color request APIM Used to indicate the color selected from the display interface. This commands the ambient color setting as requested by the operator.
Ambient light intensity request APIM Used to indicate brightness setting selected from the display interface. This commands the ambient brightness setting as requested by the operator.

Battery Saver 

NOTE: The battery saver time-out is 1 minute if the vehicle has less than 201 km (125 mi).
NOTE: The battery saver does not control the parking lamps if the headlamp switch is in the PARKING LAMPS ON position.

To save battery voltage, the BCM provides automatic shut-off of the interior and exterior lamps after a time-out period when the ignition is off. The BCM monitors the ignition state and input from the RKE system to determine when to energize or de-energize the battery saver relay and to shut the power off to the lamps. A timer in the BCM starts when:

When 10 minutes have elapsed, the BCM automatically shuts off voltage to the lamps. The timer restarts (voltage is restored if the BCM is in battery saver mode) if:

Courtesy Lamps 

The BCM controls all the interior lighting functions and timing by monitoring inputs from the:

The BCM sends a 12-volt signal to each door ajar switch. When the doors are closed, the voltage signals are pulled low, indicating a closed door.

The LTM sends a 12-volt signal to the liftgate latch switch. When the liftgate is closed, the voltage signals are pulled low, indicating a closed liftgate. The LTM sends the tailgate status to the BCM by grounding the liftgate ajar circuit.

The BCM monitors input from the RKE transmitter, from the RFA module, to determine when to activate/deactivate the illuminated entry feature.

The BCM monitors the ignition state to determine when to activate/deactivate the illuminated exit feature.

Based on the input, the BCM controls the solid state relays to provide power to the courtesy lamps.

The BCM also provides an overload protection of the interior courtesy and puddle lamp output circuits. When an excessive current draw is detected, the BCM disables the affected interior courtesy or puddle lamp circuit driver.

Illuminated Entry 

The illuminated entry requests the dimmable backlighting, the parking lamps and the courtesy lamps to illuminate when the ignition is off and a door is opened, the RKE transmitter UNLOCK button is pressed, or the vehicle is unlocked using the keyless entry keypad. If no doors are open, the illuminated entry requests the lamps off after 25 seconds have elapsed, the ignition is switched out of off, the RKE transmitter LOCK button is pressed, or the vehicle is locked using the keyless entry keypad.

Interior Lighting Delay 

The interior lighting delay feature provides temporary illumination of the dimmable backlighting, the parking lamps and the courtesy lamps after the doors are opened and then closed. The interior lighting delay feature keeps the lamps on for a period of 25 seconds after all the doors are closed. If during the 25 second delay time the ignition has been switched out of off, or if the vehicle is locked using the RKE transmitter or the keyless entry keypad, the lamp illumination is discontinued.

Illuminated Exit 

The illuminated exit requests the dimmable backlighting, the parking lamps, and the courtesy lamps to illuminate for 25 seconds after all doors are closed and the ignition is turned off. The illuminated exit deactivates when the ignition transitions out of off, a door becomes ajar, or 25 seconds have elapsed.

Theater Lighting 

The theater lighting feature ramps-up the courtesy lamps over 0.7 second when courtesy lamp activation is requested. The theater lighting feature ramps-down the courtesy lamps over 1.7 seconds when interior lighting deactivation is requested by any feature other than the panic alarm or battery saver.

Interior Lamp Arbitrator 

The interior lamp arbitrator (programming within the BCM) chooses between the interior lighting delay, the illuminated entry and exit, the battery saver, and the alarm flash processing to determine which feature has precedence of activating and deactivating the interior lamps.

Demand Lamps 

The BCM monitors the ignition state and inputs from the RKE system to determine when to energize the battery saver relay. When the battery saver relay is energized, voltage is provided to the demand lamps.

When the BCM is not in battery saver mode, the battery saver relay is energized to provide voltage to the demand lamps.

Ambient Lighting 

The HVAC module provides the power and ground to the ambient lighting system, while the touchscreen is used to cycle through the different color variations or turn the ambient lighting feature on or off. There are 4 LEDs (red, blue, green and white) housed within each LED assembly. By illuminating various color combinations, the LEDs are able to produce 7 different colors of ambient light.

The ambient lighting LEDs provide illumination to the:

The APIM uses software to monitor the user interface from the FDIM. Based on the ambient lighting system selections made using the touchscreen, the APIM sends ambient light color request and ambient light intensity request messages over the communication network for color and brightness settings. The HVAC module retains the last color and brightness setting between uses.

The BCM transmits parking lamps on, illuminated entry/exit feature active, and open door information over the communication network to the HVAC module.

Based on the input received from the FDIM (user preferences) and the BCM (parking lamps on, illuminated entry/exit, open door) over the communication network, the HVAC module provides voltage to the ambient lighting LEDs. The HVAC module also provides the ground source for the ambient lighting LEDs.

Dark Car Feature 

The dark car feature disables activation of courtesy lamps and backlighting due to a door unlock, door ajar or removing the key from the ignition cylinder. The courtesy lamps may still be activated by the instrument panel dimmer switch, post crash alert, and perimeter and panic alarms.

The dark car feature is enabled/disabled through programmable parameters in the BCM.