Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The Smart Junction Box (SJB) is also known as the Generic Electronic Module (GEM).

The Headlamp Control Module (HCM) receives information from the communication network such as vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and headlamps on 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 until the vehicle speed is above 5 km/h (3 mph).

When the ignition is placed in the RUN/START position, the HCM runs an initialization check to determine the straight-ahead position of the headlamps. If the HCM does not receive the required information over the communication network or determines that there is a fault with the circuitry to the sensors or control motors, it defaults the headlamps to the straight-ahead position and sets DTC(s).