Ford Explorer: Exterior Lighting / Description and Operation - Exterior Lighting - Overview

Overview

Headlamps

The LED headlamp system is a quad-beam pattern system. It consists of non-replaceable low and high beam Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in each headlamp assembly.

When the LH steering column multifunction switch is pulled briefly, the high beam Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) briefly illuminate for the flash-to-pass function. If the LH steering column multifunction switch is pushed into the high beam position, the high beam Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) illuminate until the LH steering column multifunction switch is returned to the center position.

For vehicles equipped with automatic headlamp leveling, the headlamp beam height is automatically adjusted according to vehicle load, speed, acceleration and braking. Automatic headlamp leveling is activated when the headlamp switch is in the HEADLAMPS or AUTOLAMPS position.

The high series headlamps are equipped with adaptive front lighting. Depending on the inputs received (steering wheel angle and vehicle speed for example), the adaptive front lighting module can command the angle at which the headlamps are aimed (left or right) to improve nighttime visibility around curves. Adaptive front lighting is only activated when the headlamp switch is in the AUTOLAMPS position.

Signature lighting is a function of the LED DRL/front parking lamps. The signature lighting function illuminates the LED DRL/front parking lamps at a reduced intensity in the headlamp assembly.

DRL

For base series headlamps, the DRL system illuminates the low beam Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at a reduced intensity.

For mid and high series headlamps, the DRL system illuminates the signature/ LED DRL/front parking lamps at full intensity in the headlamp assembly when the ignition is on, the headlamp switch is in the OFF or AUTOLAMPS position and the headlamps have not been turned on by the autolamp system.

Autolamps

The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on/off control of the exterior lamps. When the ambient lighting is low enough and the headlamp switch is in the AUTOLAMPS position, the exterior parking and low beam lamps illuminate. The autolamp system keeps the exterior lamps on for a preselected period of time after the ignition is turned off (20 seconds is the factory default setting). The preselected time is adjustable from 0 up to approximately 2 minutes by using the IPC message center controls.

Stoplamps

The stoplamp switch is located on the brake pedal assembly. The rear lamps and high mounted stoplamp are illuminated when the brake pedal is applied.

Turn Signal and Hazard Lamps

The LH steering column multifunction switch has 2 detents for the left turn position and 2 detents for the right turn position. When placed in the first detent and released, the corresponding turn signals flash 3 times and turn off. When the LH steering column multifunction switch is moved to the second detent, the turn signal flashes until the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction and the clockspring (vehicles without adaptive steering) or SCCM (vehicles with adaptive steering) mechanically returns the LH steering column multifunction switch to the neutral position and cancels the turn signal.

For the base and mid series headlamps, the front turn/parking lamp is non-replaceable Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted in the headlamp assembly.

For the high series headlamps, the front turn lamp is non-replaceable Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted in the headlamp assembly.

When the hazard function is active, all the turn lamps flash on and off.

The timed on/off cycle for turn lamps is approximately 70 times per minute.

If a front or rear turn signal lamp is inoperative, the IPC turn lamp indicator fast flashes at approximately 150 times per minute to indicate a bulb outage to the driver (the exterior turn lamps still flash at approximately 70 times per minute).

The timed on/off cycle for the hazard lamps is approximately 70 times per minute, regardless of bulb outage.

Parking, Rear and License Plate Lamps

For the base and mid series headlamps, the front turn/parking lamp is non-replaceable Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted in the headlamp assembly.

For mid and high series headlamps, the signature/LED DRL/front parking lamps in the headlamp assembly are used as parking lamps and illuminated at a reduced intensity when the parking lamps or headlamps are activated.

Parking lamps are located in the headlamp assemblies, rear lamp assemblies and license plate lamps

Front Fog Lamps

The front fog lamps can be turned on when the ignition is in ON by placing the headlamp switch in any position except OFF and pressing the front fog lamp switch.

Rear Fog Lamp

The rear fog lamp can be turned on when the ignition is in ON by placing the headlamp switch in the HEADLAMPS position and pressing the rear fog lamp switch. The rear fog lamp is located in the LH side of rear fascia.

Reversing Lamps

When the transmission is placed in REVERSE, the LH and RH reversing lamps are illuminated.

Trailer Lamps

The TRM supplies voltage to the trailer tow stop/turn lamps when the vehicle stop or turn lamps are commanded on.

The BCMC trailer tow park lamp relay supplies voltage to the trailer tow parking lamps when the vehicle parking lamps are commanded on.

The BCMC trailer tow reversing lamps relay supplies voltage to the trailer tow reversing lamps when the vehicle reversing lamps are commanded on.

The TRM provides voltage to the trailer tow connector for trailer battery charging when all of the following are true:

• The TRM detects that a trailer is connected.
• The ignition is on and engine is running.
• A brake pedal application has been detected in the present ignition cycle.
• The BCM load shed strategy is not active (a message is displayed in the instrument cluster, such as Low Battery Features Temporarily Turned Off or Turn Power Off To Save Battery, to indicate that BCM load shed strategy is active).