Right Side Lighting Problem...

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nearlyhalfamile

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I've had a 2001 LS V8 for about a week now and I have this problem with the right front parking light, turn signal, bumper marker light, and fog light. None of the mention lights work, but only on the right side. The information center in the dash says to check the right turn signal lamps. All the bulbs check out ok, as well as the #8 fuse in the fuse block on the passenger kick panel. I also checked a couple things with my multimeter and the ground on the connectors for the lights is grounded, but with the lights on they do not get power and power (+12v) does go through the fuse block and into the apporiate wire (orange/blue I think) coming out of a connector on the fuse block also has power. Any ideas what this can be? Everything on the left side works perfectly and the right rear parking light and turn signal work fine and the right head light high/low work fine too. I'm guessing it may be a relay controls power going to the right front lighting assembly, however I don't know where this might be. Would anyone happen to know this or what else may be causing the problem?
 
that's wild. sounds like you have a wiring issue in a bundle somewhere or a module and/or connector failing
 
So I'm guessing by the fact that this thread is quickly getting pushed to the bottom that I'm SOL and on my own. Anyone want to be my hero and tell me there is some lighting module somewhere?
 
I'm not sure how you checked for a proper ground. But just grounding your meter through the ground wire in your plug is not always a definitive answer. Trace the grounds. Find out where they are hooked, and clean that attachment point. It's possible the vehicle had some work done in that area (body or mechanical) and the ground is bad, missing, or in the wrong location.
 
check the insulation around your wires for wear. i had the same problem with my right side high beam and turned out the insulation had rubbed off and the wire was fried. It was right at the back of the connector, and all my other lights worked fine on that side. Hope this helps.
 
I don't think it's a ground issue as he said it's not getting the +12v signal. you can test that with lights on and a good ground as a reference point
 
nearlyhalfamile said:
I also checked a couple things with my multimeter and the ground on the connectors for the lights is grounded, but with the lights on they do not get power and power (+12v) does go through the fuse block and into the apporiate wire (orange/blue I think) coming out of a connector on the fuse block also has power.
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I'm a little confused. Your saying that you do have power at the fuse and the correct wire has power that leaves the fuse and goes to the lights? If so then we at least have half the problem solved, if not then find out why you don't have power at the fuse. Sorry, I just didn't quite understand what you were typing.
 
Yes, comming off of the connector at the fuse block, there is a +12v. However, this is NOT the wire that directly runs to the lights and powers them. The wire has to go to switches, relays, singal flashers and I'm sure other sorts of electronics before making its way to the acutal light. I'm thinking the problem is at one of these things that the power wire goes to since the wires to the turn signal, marker light, and fog light are all good as far as the condition of the connector and wires as far as i can inspect them until the merge with the larger wiring harness, yet non of them have power at the light or light connector. My problem is I can't trace the wire that comes out of the fuse block that actually has power because it disappears into a bundle of wires and goes into the firewall on the passenger side.


(It is not a ground problem at the lights.)
 
Ok what I propose is you take this thing in halves. We know that the power is to the fuse block. So the power source to load is cut in halve. Now we can look a splitting this half into another half. Check for power at the switch. If it is good then we can tell that we need to look at things between the switch and the lights. Sorry to be elementry about this, but I am learning here also. Just using some basic electircal diagnostics till we can pinpoint the location of the problem. You may be further than this, but I can't tell without being there. Also I might be off (just so you don't blame me if somethine goes wrong). While were here, have you ever messed with the wiring of the car in any way?
 
guys I think this is all controlled by a module isn't it? have you looked at the FEM yet?
 
Really I just need to know if there is a module(s) that control the lights, and where it might be located? Obviously this is not a common problem so I just need to know about the location of the module/relay that this stuff runs to. I made a living installing car alarms/remote start systems/head units/subs.... for a year and a half, so I am completely capable of figuring it out with the location of the proper electronics to check. But I'm sure you all know the numerous bits of electronics on the LS so finding it without knowing the location is going to be time intensive. I have a complete wiring diagram on the way.
 
cool, there is a module that does all that, I believe it's the FEM and I think it's in the passenger kick panel but not sure. hopfully somebody else chimes in
 
I would likely think that it is on the driver's side kick or under the driver's dash, however there are a few things in both locations so it would be nice is someone could confirm which one is the correct one.
 
nearlyhalfamile said:
Really I just need to know if there is a module(s) that control the lights, and where it might be located? Obviously this is not a common problem so I just need to know about the location of the module/relay that this stuff runs to. I made a living installing car alarms/remote start systems/head units/subs.... for a year and a half, so I am completely capable of figuring it out with the location of the proper electronics to check. But I'm sure you all know the numerous bits of electronics on the LS so finding it without knowing the location is going to be time intensive. I have a complete wiring diagram on the way.
Click to expand...


Sorry, didn't know your credintials
 
do a search for "download service manual" that's how I got mine
 
The FEM is behind the LH front kick panel, since you do stereo and alarm installs, I'll assume you can get that far. You may have to loosen the Auxiliary junction box and move it to the side. The FEM has four connectors on the bottom and one on the side. It is held in place by three screws. Now for the bad news prior to the removal of the module, it is necessary to upload module configuration information to the appropriate diagnostic equipment. This information needs to be downloaded into the new module once installed. That is straight out of my workshop manual
 
I just reliazed your car was an 01, my info was for an 03 but I think it should be same except you may only have 3 connectors on the bottom instead of four. The pics in my manual aren't as clear for the 01 and your cluster may need to be reprogrammed too. The manual mentioned it briefly but it may not need to be done. Ask FORD if you buy your FEM from them.
 
The new module should come with a warning sticker saying it needs to be programmed. However, I have changed out different modules in the past that said the same thing....but operated just fine without programming. So who knows! Some modules save personal settings on a chip...and that may be what you are programming back into the new module. Many times, the factory service manual will tell you just exactly what data is being programmed and why.
 
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