Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting

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

NOTE: The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and clears within 45 minutes of headlamp operation.

Headlamps - Standard

The standard headlamp system is a quad-beam pattern system. It consists of replaceable low and high beam bulbs. The headlamp assembly has the park/turn indicator lamp integrated into the headlamp assembly. The SJB supplies voltage to the headlamps when demanded.

Headlamps - High Intensity Discharge (HID)

The High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamp system is a quad-beam pattern system. It consists of a ballast and replaceable low and high beam bulbs. The headlamp assembly has the park/turn indicator lamp integrated into the headlamp assembly. The SJB supplies voltage to the relays and the headlamps when demanded.

Lamp Assembly Condensation

Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. Time to clear the lens of acceptable mist varies with ambient humidity and lamp types. Normal condensation clears from any lamp in 48 hours under dry weather conditions.

Do not replace a lamp assembly with acceptable levels of condensation such as:

- presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets are present)
- fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens

Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp housing leak):

- water puddling inside the lamp
- large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of the lens

Autolamps

The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on/off control of the exterior lamps. The autolamp system keeps the exterior lamps on for a pre-selected period of time after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position. The pre-selected time delay is adjustable up to approximately 3 minutes.

To program the autolamps time delay, refer to Autolamps Time Delay Adjustment Adjustments.

Vehicles equipped with autolamps also have a feature that turns on the exterior lamps when the windshield wipers are turned on. Refer to Wiper and Washer Systems for diagnostics of the headlamps on with wipers on feature.

Stoplamps

The SJB monitors input from the stoplamp switch. The stoplamps are supplied voltage when the brake pedal is applied.

Turn Signal/Hazard Lamps

When the multifunction switch is placed in the LH or RH TURN positions, the SJB routes voltage to the LH or RH turn signal lamps. The SJB then cycles the voltage on and off approximately 80 times per minute. If a front or rear turn bulb is inoperative, the SJB cycles the voltage on and off approximately 160 times per minute.

The hazard switch is located in the instrument panel center finish panel. When the hazard switch is engaged, the SJB supplies voltage to all the turn lamps. The SJB cycles the voltage on and off approximately 80 times per minute.

Parking Lamps

The SJB supplies voltage to the parking lamps when demanded. The front parking lamps are located in the headlamp assemblies. The rear parking lamps are located in the rear lamp assemblies (and in the reversing lamp assemblies for MKZ).

Fog Lamps

The fog lamp switch is integral to the headlamp switch. When the fog lamp switch is engaged, voltage is supplied by the SJB to the fog lamp relay coil, which then energizes and routes voltage to the fog lamps. The fog lamps can be turned on when the ignition switch is in the RUN or START position, the parking lamps and/or low beam headlamps are on, and the high beam headlamps are off.

Reversing Lamps

Automatic Transaxle

NOTE: The SJB receives a message from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) when the transaxle is in REVERSE (R).

When the transaxle is placed in REVERSE (R), the SJB provides a ground for the reversing lamp relay coil (internal to the SJB). The reversing lamps receive voltage when the reversing lamp relay is energized. The reversing lamps are located within the rear lamp assemblies (Fusion), or the decklid (Milan and MKZ).

Manual Transaxle

When the transaxle is placed in REVERSE (R), the reversing lamp switch closes and provides voltage to the reversing lamps.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

Fusion, Milan

This feature illuminates the low beam headlamps at a reduced intensity.

The SJB provides voltage to the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) when the following conditions exist:

- The ignition switch is in the RUN position
- The low and high beam headlamps have not been activated by any other feature
- If equipped with a manual transaxle, the parking brake is not applied
- If equipped with an automatic transaxle, the transaxle is in any position except PARK (P)

The DRL feature does not affect the operation of any other exterior lighting feature.

The DRL is not a programmable parameter for this vehicle.

MKZ

This feature continuously (not flashing) illuminates the front turn signal lamps.

The SJB provides voltage to the DRL when the following conditions exist:

- The ignition switch is in the RUN position
- The low and high beam headlamps have not been activated by any other feature
- The transaxle is in any position except PARK (P)

The DRL feature does not affect the operation of any other exterior lighting feature.

The DRL is not a programmable parameter for this vehicle.