Autolamp System - Procedures Manual Correction
88ford1
LAMP - AUTOLAMP SYSTEM - SERVICE PROCEDURES - SHOP MANUAL CORRECTION
Article No. 88-1-6
FORD: 1986-88 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1986-88 SABLE
ISSUE: The Electrical Diagnostics and Removal and Installation Procedure for the Autolamp System was not included in the 1988 Taurus/Sable Shop Manual, Section 32.
ACTION: If service is required, refer to the service procedures on pages 13 through 18 of this TSB.
NOTE: The service procedures on pages 13 through 18 of this TSB should be inserted in section 32 of the 1988 Taurus/Sable Shop Manual.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"
VEHICLE APPLICATION
Taurus/Sable
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on-off control of the exterior lamps normally controlled by the regular headlamp switch. This system also provides increased visibility for occupants leaving the vehicle. The autolamp system keeps the lamps on for a preselected period of time after the ignition is turned off. The preselected time lapse can be adjusted by the operator up to approximately three (3) minutes.
The system consists of a light sensitive photocell/ amplifier assembly, three control relays, and a timedelay control which includes an ON/OFF switch. Connections to the vehicle lamps parallel the regular headlamp switch connections, requiring the headlamp switch be turned to the OFF position for the automatic control feature.
In normal operation, the system will turn the exterior lamps on when the natural outside light available to the photocell decreases below a predetermined level, such as at sunset. Also, the lamps will automatically turn off when the level of outside light exceeds a predetermined level during daylight hours. The photocell/amplifier assembly is mounted under the right hand speaker grille. The photocell must always be exposed to outside light to function properly.
FIGURE 1 -TAURUS:
FIGURE 2 - SABLE:
The autolamp control thumbwheel is located to the left of the steering wheel in the lower finish panel. The autolamp system is functional for automatic operation when the on-off control is moved from the OFF position. The closer the control is moved toward the max-delay, the longer the lamps will stay on after the ignition is turned off (Figures 1 and 2).
Turning on the headlamp switch will override the autolamp. Automatic operation will not be possible until the regular headlamp switch is turned off.
FIGURE 3 - PHOTOCELL/AMPLIFIER ADJUSTMENT:
ADJUSTMENTS - PHOTOCELL/AMPLIFIER
If it is necessary to have the headlamps turned on earlier or later than that of the original manufacturer's calibration, the unit contains an adjustment screw and is marked with the direction and amount of rotation for the required adjustment (Figure 3).
FIGURE 4 - TAURUS:
FIGURE 5 - SABLE:
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
PHOTOCELL/AMPLIFIER ASSEMBLY
1. Remove right hand speaker grille (snaps out).
2. Remove screw holding photocell/amplifier to upper instrument panel (Figures 4 and 5).
3. Remove connector from photocell/amplifier assembly.
4. To install, reverse Steps 1, 2, and 3.
POTENTIOMETER (THUMBWHEEL)
Taurus
The potentiometer assembly is serviced from the front of the instrument panel.
1. Remove potentiometer assembly from lower left hand finish panel (snaps out).
2. Pull potentiometer out of finish panel and disconnect wiring connector (Figure 4).
3. To install, reverse Steps 1 and 2.
Sable
1. Remove lower left hand finish panel (snaps out).
2. Disconnect wiring connector.
3. Remove the two (2) potentiometer retaining screws and remove potentiometer from finish panel (Figure 5).
4. To install, reverse Steps 1, 2, and 3.
RELAY PARK/TAIL LAMP - HEADLAMP - LCD DIMMER
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove relay from bracket mounted on instrument panel above glove box (Figures 4 and 5).
3. Disconnect the connector from relay.
4. To install, reverse Steps 1, 2, and 3.
DIAGNOSIS
QUICK CHECKS
1. Make sure photocell lens of a photo amplifier unit is clean and unobstructed.
2. Make sure there is a clean, tight ground connection for Circuit 57 from the potentiometer control unit at headlamp switch.
3. Make sure that headlamps operate normally from the manual headlamp switch.
4. Remember, it is normal to have a slight delay between turning the switch on or off (or covering or uncovering the photo unit lens) and the response of the headlamps.
5. Make sure that autolamp relay connector is properly attached to relay.
CONDITION
^ The autolamp system will not operate.
^ The autolamp system will not delay long enough after the vehicle has been shut down.
SYMPTOMS AND QUICK CHECKS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONDITIONS:
^ Headlamps do not turn on when it gets dark outside.
^ Headlamps turn on too late at evening.
^ Headlamps turn on too early at evening.
^ Headlamps turn off too late in the morning.
^ Headlamps turn off too early in the morning.
RESOLUTION
Problems resulting from Operator Error are caused by failure to follow operating procedure or sequence requirements that have been designed into the AUTOLAMP (ON /OFF DELAY SYSTEM).
QUICK CHECKS:
^ Place autolamp control in the OFF position. Turn on headlamps using standard headlamp switch control.
^ If headlamps do not operate, check out and correct the standard headlamp circuit.
^ If headlamp operation is OK using the standard headlamp switch, check the autolamp fuse. If fuse is OK, proceed with a complete checkout procedure.
^ Refer to autolamp amplifier adjustment.
CIRCUIT NUMBERS:
AUTOLAMP CONNECTOR (ON/OFF DELAY SYSTEM)
PARK/TAIL LAMP CIRCUIT
TEST AND RESULT WITH MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH IN "PARK" OR FULL "ON" POSITION, VOLTAGE SHOULD BE MEASURED AT AUTOLAMP RELAY CONNECTOR (CIRCUIT 14). THIS CHECKS FOR CORRECT WIRING TO TAIL LAMP CIRCUIT. IF NOT OK, CHECK CONTINUITY OF THE NO. 14 BROWN WIRE BETWEEN THE AUTOLAMP RELAY CONNECTOR AND THE COMMON POINT WITH THE REAR LAMP CIRCUIT.
HEADLAMP CIRCUIT
TEST AND RESULT WITH MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH IN FULL "ON" POSITION, VOLTAGE SHOULD BE MEASURED AT AUTOLAMP RELAY CONNECTOR. THIS CHECKS FOR CORRECT WIRING TO HEADLAMP CIRCUIT (CIRCUIT 15). IF NOT OK, CHECK CONTINUITY OF CIRCUIT 15 - RED AND YELLOW WIRE - BETWEEN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR AND THE AUTOLAMP RELAY CONNECTOR.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS CIRCUIT
TEST AND RESULT
WITH MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH IN FULL "ON" POSITION, VOLTAGE SHOULD BE MEASURED AT LCD DIMMER RELAY CONNECTOR (CIRCUIT 19). THIS CHECKS FOR CORRECT WIRING TO INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS RHEOSTAT.
IF NOT OK, CHECK CONTINUITY OF CIRCUIT 19 - LT. BLUE/RED WIRE BETWEEN RHEOSTAT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND THE LCD RELAY CONNECTOR.
32-12 Headlamp Delay System - Autolamp 32-12
ON-OFF CONTROL SWITCH
TEST AND RESULT CHECK FOR SYSTEM GROUND THROUGH DRIVER'S DELAY CONTROL SWITCH. GROUND SHOULD BE MEASURED WITH AUTOLAMP SWITCH IN "ON" POSITION. CIRCUIT IS OPEN WITH SWITCH IN "OFF" POSITION. IF NOT OK, PERFORM STEPS 1 AND 2 OF THE POTENTIOMETER TEST. IF POTENTIOMETER TESTS OK, CHECK CIRCUIT 220 - PURPLE WIRE WITH ORANGE DOTS - BETWEEN THE POTENTIOMETER CONNECTOR AND AUTOLAMP AMPLIFIER CONNECTOR.
DELAY CONTROL POTENTIOMETER TEST AND RESULT TEST FOR CONTINUITY TO DRIVER DELAY CONTROL WITH CONTROL IN "MAXIMUM" DELAY POSITION. READING SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 200,000 OHMS. IF NOT OK, PERFORM STEP 3 OF THE POTENTIOMETER TEST. IF POTENTIOMETER TESTS OK, CHECK CIRCUIT 217 - DARK BLUE WIRE WITH ORANGE DOTS - BETWEEN POTENTIOMETER CONNECTOR AND AUTOLAMP AMPLIFIER CONNECTOR. IF POTENTIOMETER TEST NOT OK, REPLACE THE POTENTIOMETER ASSEMBLY.
IF ALL OF THE PRECEDING TESTS CHECK OUT OK, AND THE AUTOLAMP (ON/OFF DELAY) SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE AUTOLAMP AMPLIFIER IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER ASSEMBLY.
1. USING EITHER A SELF-POWERED TEST LAMP OR AN OHMMETER, CHECK THE AUTOLAMP "ON/OFF" SWITCH FUNCTION. CHECK CONTINUITY BETWEEN POINTS 1 AND 3. REFER TO CHART.
2. USING AN OHMMETER, CHECK RESISTANCE THROUGH THE RANGE OF THE POTENTIOMETER. RESISTANCE SHOULD GRADUALLY INCREASE AS
THE THUMBWHEEL IS ROTATED FROM "OFF" TO "MAX". CHECK RESISTANCE BETWEEN POINTS 1 AND 2. REFER TO CHART FOR CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUES.
3. IF EITHER OF THE ABOVE TESTS IS NOT OK, REPLACE THE POTENTIOMETER ASSEMBLY.