headlights will not stay on windshield wipers working at will and lights are blinking off and on inside and outside car dashboard... I have to hold the bright lights down to drive at night... and now

LCM quite likely. Tom is on the money.

Although the headlight switch could be at fault, If the high and low beams do not come on, yet the lights do energize when you hold the "flash to pass" lever towards you is included in the symptoms, then it probably IS the LCM... and there is now VERY GOOD NEWS!!! Ford just started fixing them for FREE!!! (Ref: Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 14N01) Ford/Lincoln/Mercury has finally decided to deal with the rat-nasty LCM's they have been putting out. I just got the letter on this from Ford last week. Without starting a safety recall, (as they should,) they are extending the warranty on the LCM (based upon VIN number,) to 15 years or 250,000 miles whichever comes first. AND if you paid earlier for this replacement and have the receipt, they will REIMBURSE you for the repair provided it was done before the notice came out. The window to be reimbursed for an earlier repair looks to be between April 1st, 2014 to October 31st, 2014. This window also applies if your car is under 15 years, yet has exceeded 250,000 miles. Ford's LCM replacement is completely without charge for parts and labor. Retail owners should have their VIN number handy and call the local Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership for an appointment. They say it should take a half a day yet could be longer due to dealer "service scheduling requirements." They will only replace LCM's that do not work, but mine lasted 10 years before it started acting up. This gives Ford a way to show concern, without really dealing with the 1000's of LCM's that will fail after this window closes in the future. Ford only "invented" their LCM after their service departments were losing money on a system that smaller repair shops could easily fix. Nice to have a little black box that they could unplug and swap out so they could charge $800-$1000 in parts and labor then repair at the factory with three $10 relays. These relays used to be mounted at or near the fuse block, and were easy enough for an owner to replace for $8-12 if so inclined. Anyway if you have any questions about this "un- recall" you may contact the Ford Customer Relationship (I'm in a "relationship?") Center at 1 (866) 436-7332 either they or the dealer can tell if your vehicle is covered if you have the VIN number handy. If your Police Interceptor is part of a fleet purchase, and your dealer is giving you trouble about it, you can call Ford's Fleet Department at 1 (800) 34- FLEET and see if they can help. IN THE MEANTIME. Should you need to get granny to the hospital at night, you can try this AT YOUR OWN RISK. The LCM on my 2003 is located about 18" directly above the gas pedal under the back of the dash... Turn on the lights and give the LCM a light tap with your foot. This will often engage the cheap Ford relays and the lights will come on. But you should make that appointment with the dealer before everybody starts fighting for access to the same part. (They are already using the fact that they expect to pay $30 MILLION to deal with their LCM problem as part of the excuse they are giving investors for their poor 1st quarter profit numbers. So let's not let them down...he he!) I also don't know if Ford would be willing to call someone a liar if he claimed his headlights stopped working because he thought it is just a matter of time before the lousy relays in his LCM failed, since this is intermittent, and asked for an LCM replacement under this warranty as well. That is why this should be a RECALL, and not just some bean-counter's way of slithering out from all of the angry customers that demand action today. My Grand Marquis is really a fantastic car, but having to drive 50 miles home on narrow country roads with one terrified hand while holding the "flash to pass" arm with the other, and risking my life because Ford played it cheap with some relays on their flagship chassis for a decade or more, really makes you wonder what they were thinking. Remember: You have to take your car to a DEALERSHIP to get this fixed for free under warranty. DO NOT TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP unless you just want to throw your money away!

This is confirmed, I'm on the phone with Ford right now and they said that my 04 CVPI is covered by the extended warranty on the LCM. Yay!

Thanks a thou$and bro... literally. That's what I saved today. I was ready to shell out the bucks to drive safely at night, and saw Ratpuppy's post.The dealership said that the part has been on back order for sometime now... looks like someone ordered one and didn't pick it up... lucky me... they honored the replacement for free! Really thanks a million Ratpuppy. Your a pimp! FREE... FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ... IM IMPRESSED.

Thanks a thou$and bro... literally. That's what I saved today. I was ready to shell out the bucks to drive safely at night, and saw Ratpuppy's post.The dealership said that the part has been on back order for sometime now... looks like someone ordered one and didn't pick it up... lucky me... they honored the replacement for free! Really thanks a million Ratpuppy. Your a pimp! FREE... FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ... IM IMPRESSED. PS: THE PART AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS $580.00 plus $50.00 core.

Thank you so much. I just called Ford and am scheduled to get my LCM fixed tomorrow for free. You are a life saver Ratpuuppy!!

Thanks!! W so much bs on the web something true! That helps!!

My 2004 CV LX Sport just started to fail headlights on in Lo/Hi position as well but is OK in High beam switch held in flash to pass mode. I tapped on the LCM and the lights came back on so I am suspecting a bad relay or board connection. Will be calling Ford

Just called my local Ford Dealer and getting the LCM replaced under Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 14N01. Thanks guys and I will help spread the word.

I just had my high beams and like normal driving lights go off and not come back on, on my 2003 crown Vic L. But the Brights come on when I pull the switch back manually. Checked all the fuses and unplugged the positive cable on the battery to reset and still doesn't work. I only have running lights unless I manually pull handle back. I just bought this car cause it was in perfect condition for my college car and now I can't drive at night. Is this the same thing as you guys are talking about? And am I too late to call in on This manufacturing default ? Help really needed and appreciated!!!!!

Not too late I am posting this on Oct 30 2015 and my son called today regarding this problem and has an appointment at the Ford dealer next week But you do need to call the ford manufacturer 1- 866-436-7332

My son just purchased a 2001. It was a surprise to received a call stating that the lights were on,, the car had been sitting for a month and doors locked. I started the car with no issue but then smelled smoke, then saw it from the dash board. I quickly disconnected the battery. When I reconnected the battery the head lights only did not work, all other lights were working. I saw your post above and attempted the "flash to pass" and the head lights came on. Do you feel this is also a LCM issue and should it still be covered?

It's official! Ford announced an official recall for the 03-05 Crown Vics to replace the LCM! You did it, folks! Hopefully lives will be saved, and if not, at least money will be saved.

I just scheduled my replacement but they said the wiper issue was not related and warned of possible $100 diagnostic fee. Is the wiper coming on related?

Ford has an active recall for this problem. You should have been notified. If not, contact a Ford dealer.