OK, a couple years ago I posted here (under another username I now can't remember) about my experience with the well-known LCM issue. My solution then was to replace all 4 relays in the LCM.

Earlier this month, my lights started flickering AGAIN, but the behavior was different... ALL lights would turn off, headlights, marker lights, directional, dashboard, interior lights. Sometimes, after the lights would click back on, the chime would slow-ding like when you first turn the key to ON. Sometimes when the lights would cut out the horn would beep for a second, sometimes the rear window defrost indicator light would come on. ALL these functions are controlled by the LCM. Eventually, after clicking on and off a few times, the LCM would lock up and all lights would remain in their present state (either on or off) even after turning off the engine and removing the key. I had to either pull the battery or unplug the LCM to get it to reset. I also could not pull data from the LCM while it was "locked."

I replaced the relays once again, but that didn't help at all. I thought maybe the logic chips in the LCM had lost their mind.

I got a reman LCM online, but the behavior was EXACTLY the same.

After a few more days, I started getting cylinder misfires on #6, a coil I had just replaced less than a month earlier.

After re-replacing the coil, there have been NO lighting issues AT ALL. So I figure the cheapo after-market coil I used either intermittently shorted the 12V to ground or it allowed some of the high voltage to leak back into the electrical system. Either way, it was giving the LCM a conniption fit!!

Purchased my Mercury Marquis used privately in September of 2019. Asked the owner if he ever had a problem with the LCM that was recalled by Ford back in 2017, Recall 15S39, and he replied no.

For the heck of it, I called Ford, and they told me that he had the repair done in 2013 but was reimbursed by a Ford Dealer for doing the repair at another shop. They also told me that they would not replace the module again for failure as it was a one time recall campaign. In other words, you are on your own but we will do it if you pay us. Shows me the concern Ford displays regarding the safety of their customers. This recall should have had a Lifetime Warranty.

Now here we are, Febuary 2020, and the symptoms indicating an LCM failure are happening on my car. While driving, my headlights went out, and every other light except my dashboard illumination. I pulled over, stopped the car, turned off the ignition, and then restarted. Everything worked again.

Few days later, just the headlights went out. I kicked the LCM, and the headlights came back on. This time, I read some Ford forums, and viewed some YouTube Videos. The suggestion was to replace the headlight relay which is most prone to failure but at best to replace all 4 relays. I am not an electrician but am somewhat good with a soldering iron, so I decided to replace just the headlight relay to minimize potential damage to the circuit board if I made a mistake.

When I went to remove the LCM, I found a Dorman Headlight Repair Module plugged into the back of the LCM. Astonished, I realized now that the previous owner had not replaced the LCM as required or suggested but kept it, and used a stop-gap third party repair. Ford should never have allowed private party or stop-gap repairs done to the LCM but should have demanded the the LCM be replaced entirely by their dealers. Whether this was deliberate by Ford to minimize their costs or oversight, I cannot say for sure.

So I removed the LCM, found the infamous Headlight relay, and replaced it. Proud of myself, I reinstalled the LCM with the new Headlight Relay. Worked for 10 minutes, and then the Headlights went out again with the same symptoms as described in the recall. Obviously, there is more than a problem with the relay. I read somewhere that there may be cracks in solder joints within the circuit board itself.

Now I am stuck with finding an LCM replacement which will cost me between $250-$375 at least, depending upon the brand, and where I buy it. An OEM Ford will probably cost $400 or more.

This issue is totally unacceptable, and disgraceful. Luckily, replacement of the LCM is an an easy fix if you have some patience, and can use a ratchet. It is located right behind the OBDII connector above your right knee under the dashboard.

Under the circumstances, I feel that I should not have to pay for an LCM replacement but that Ford should again do it for free. However, being that SAFETY is my PRIMARY CONCERN and obviously not one-time only Ford's, I will have to take the matter in my own hands asap, and replace the entire module myself.

I had the same headlight issue as so many others. I would be driving down the road, and the headlights would randomly turn off. The problem is the relays in the lighting control module (LCM) wear out over time and stop working when they heat up. This is exasperated by the fact that the relays are only rated for 10 Amps of load current which is the bare minimum for 2 headlight bulbs to begin with. Ford issued a recall, but they don't have LCMs available. I bought 4 Omron relays. Part number G5LE-1-E DC12. These are rated 16Amps load current.

If you can solder electronics, you can easily swap all 4 relays in the LCM for less than $10 in about an hour. Otherwise, find someone who can solder and buy them a case of beer to do it for you. It's money well spent.

Update from Aug 24, 2017: Update July 2017: I FINALLY received my recall letter from Ford acknowledging there is a problem with the LCM. Since I already upgraded my LCM with higher capacity relays, I probably won't let them touch it.

Update from Oct 19, 2021: Just wanted to update that my LCM repair is still working fine after five years. No headlight glitches at all.