Autolamp

[kalamarca]

The Autolamp feature on my Sable stopped turning on the headlights. It still turns on the parking lights but not the headlights. Any idea of what the problem is?

[KimMG]

Are the bulbs good? Are you getting power at the light sockets? Using a wiring diagram, trace the circuit and test the appropriate connections and switches.

[sammydogg]

I am also having the same problem with my vehicle. The headlights will not turn on but the parking lights turn on in autolamp mode. I have looked into the wiring diagrams and found that there are 2 relays for the autolamps. There is the autolamp headlight relay and the autolamp parking light relay. I would assume the autolamp headlight relay is bad. I have tried to find the relay but I cannot. The wiring diagram points to the central junction box in the car. It also says that the part is in the assembly. I have removed the fuse box under the dash, removed the GEM module, opened up the GEM module, looked all around and cannot find this relay. If you have found this relay, please let me know where it is.

Thanks.

[umina]

Thats wierd, I've got the reverse problem. My automatic headlights are "on" all the time when the switch is in the automatic position, even in direct bright sunlight.....

[cabreuer]

I have 02 Taurus with a autolamp problem. In the AM (DARK) garage the autolamps go on, but after driving about 10-15 minutes they flicker...I replaced the switch but it didn't fix the problem. If anyone can tell me what the next step is or where the relay is I'll try that.

[sammydogg]

Here's the answer to all your auto lamp issues. I've done a lot of research on this and I know the system like the back of my hand.
The autolamp relay (which the dealer can't even tell you where it is!!!) is inside the fuse box. The $10.00 relay is soldered onto the circuit board inside the fuse box.There are 2 circuit boards in the fuse box when you open it up. The boards are sandwiched together by metal jumpers around the perimeter of the circuit boards. I tried to unsolder all of the jumpers but the circuit boards are made to dissipate a lot of heat so my soldering iron could not heat up the solder to separate the boards. The only way to get the autolamps to work is to replace the fuse box, around $300.00 at your local dealership. How do you like the fact that ford places non servicible relays in the fuse box and the damn thing fails. Is this Ford's better idea??
Solution:
The fuse box (FB) comes out of your car fairly easy. It's under the dash board on the drivers side. Remove the cables from the battery. Unscrew the 3 harnesses from the FB, unscrew the 2 screws holding the FB in place located at the bottom of the FB and wiggle it out of position. Find the factory part number on the fuse box. Different year cars have different part numbers, different options will have different part numbers. By the way, there is a GEM module bolted onto the back of the FB. A couple of screws qill get it off the FB. The GEM module has a tag on it and if you have a keyless entry system, your keyless number will be on the tag. How cleaver.
Go to a junk yard and start pulling out FB's. Try to match up your year car to the junk car. I found a diffence between the 2001 FB and the 2002 FB. In 2002, ford came out with puddle lights in the exterior rear view mirrors. There is one less relay in the 2001 FB than the 2002. There might be other differences as well. I ended up with a same model FB for $20.00 from the local junk yard. It works like a champ. I even bought an extra FB so I wouldn't have to go through the hassle when this thing breaks again!!
Seems like a lot of work but I was not going to give Ford $300.00 just out of principle. If your unsure on how to pull the FB out of the car, visit the junk yard first and have a ball. It's definetly a place to learn how things are put together. Good Luck.

[cabreuer]

You are 100% correct..Thanks for the info. I had it out and apart a while ago but couldn't get the boards unsoldered, so put it back together, and too though that at FORD they would not put any serviceable parts there...but they have a better idea...they did. You wouldn't want to sell the extra fuse box that you have would you?