Ford Escape Manuals
Ford Escape 2020-2025 Service Manual / Electrical / Lighting / Exterior Lighting / Diagnosis and Testing - Reversing Lamps

Ford Escape: Exterior Lighting / Diagnosis and Testing - Reversing Lamps

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart

Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).


  Diagnostic Trouble Code Chart


Module   DTC Description Action
  BCM B1277:11 Reverse Lamp: Circuit Short To Ground   GO to Pinpoint Test A
  BCM B1277:15 Reverse Lamp: Circuit Short To Battery or Open   GO to Pinpoint Test A

Global Customer Symptom Code (GCSC) Chart

Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).


Symptom Action
Lighting/Glass/Vision > Exterior Lighting > Reverse/Back Up > Inoperative GO to Pinpoint Test A
Lighting/Glass/Vision > Exterior Lighting > Reverse/Back Up > Inoperative GO to Pinpoint Test B
Lighting/Glass/Vision > Exterior Lighting > Reverse/Back Up > Stays On GO to Pinpoint Test A

Symptom Charts

Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Symptom Chart: Reversing Lamps


Condition Actions
A module does not respond to the diagnostic scan tool  
REFER to: Communications Network (418-00 Module Communications Network, Diagnosis and Testing).
Both reversing lamps are inoperative or always on   GO to Pinpoint Test A
An individual reversing lamp is inoperative   GO to Pinpoint Test B

Pinpoint Tests


PINPOINT TEST A: BOTH REVERSING LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE OR ALWAYS ON

Refer to Wiring Diagrams Cell 93 for schematic and connector information.

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

REFER to: Exterior Lighting - Overview (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).
REFER to: Exterior Lighting - System Operation and Component Description (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).

DTC Fault Trigger Conditions

DTC Description Fault Trigger Condition
BCM B1277:11 Reverse Lamp: Circuit Short To Ground A continuous memory and on-demand DTC that sets when the BCM detects a short to ground from the reversing lamps output circuit.
BCM B1277:15 Reverse Lamp: Circuit Short To Battery Or Open A continuous memory and on-demand DTC that sets when the BCM detects an open or short to voltage from the reversing lamps output circuit.

Possible Sources

  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Gear range concern
  • BCM
A1 CHECK THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) TRANSMISSION RANGE PID (PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION)
  • Apply the parking brake.
  • Ignition ON.

  • Access the  PCM  and monitor the  TR_CORRECTED  PID

  • Place the gear selector in each gear.

Does the PID indicate the correct value in each gear selection?
Yes If both reverse lamps are inoperative, GO to A2
If both reverse lamps are always on, GO to A4
No DIAGNOSE the transmission range concern. REFER to: External Controls (307-05B Automatic Transmission External Controls - Automatic Transmission – HF45, Diagnosis and Testing).
REFER to: External Controls (307-05A Automatic Transmission External Controls - 8-Speed Automatic Transmission – 8F35/8F40, Diagnosis and Testing).
REFER to: External Controls (307-05A Automatic Transmission External Controls - 8-Speed Automatic Transmission – 8F35/8F40, Diagnosis and Testing).

A2 CHECK THE REVERSING LAMP VOLTAGE CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO GROUND
  • Place the gear selector in PARK (P).
  • Ignition OFF.
  • Disconnect LH Reversing Lamp C451 and RH Reversing Lamp C461 .
  • Disconnect BCM C2280F .
  • Disconnect Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror C911 (if equipped).
  • Measure:
    Click to display connectors
    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C2280F-66   Ground

Is the resistance greater than 10,000 ohms?
Yes GO to A3
No REPAIR the circuit in question. After the repair:
If no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are present, TEST the system for normal operation.
If DTC U1000:00 is present, CLEAR the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and REPEAT the self-test (required to enable the lamp output driver if DTC U1000:00 is present).
If DTC U3000:49 is present, INSTALL a new BCM .
REFER to: Body Control Module (BCM) (419-10 Multifunction Electronic Modules, Removal and Installation).

A3 CHECK THE REVERSING LAMP VOLTAGE CIRCUITS FOR AN OPEN
  • Measure:
    Click to display connectors
    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C451-1   C2280F-66

Is the resistance less than 3 ohms?
Yes GO to A6
No REPAIR the circuit in question.

A4 CHECK THE REVERSING LAMP VOLTAGE SUPPLY CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE
  • Ignition OFF.
  • Disconnect BCM C2280F .
  • Ignition ON.

Are the reverse lamps still on?
Yes If not equipped with auto-dimming interior mirror, REPAIR the circuit.
If equipped with auto-dimming interior mirror, GO to A5
No GO to A6

A5 CHECK THE REVERSING OUTPUT SUPPLY CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE
  • Ignition OFF.
  • Disconnect Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror C911 .
  • Ignition ON.
  • Measure:
    Click to display connectors
    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C2280F-66   Ground

Is any voltage present?
Yes REPAIR the circuit.
No INSTALL a new auto-dimmer interior mirror.
REFER to: Interior Rear View Mirror (501-09 Rear View Mirrors, Removal and Installation).

A6 CHECK FOR CORRECT BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) OPERATION
  • Disconnect and inspect all BCM connectors.
  • Repair:
    • corrosion (install new connector or terminals – clean module pins)
    • damaged or bent pins – install new terminals/pins
    • pushed-out pins – install new pins as necessary
  • Reconnect the BCM connectors. Make sure they seat and latch correctly.
  • Operate the system and determine if the concern is still present.

Is the concern still present?
Yes CHECK OASIS for any applicable service articles: TSB , GSB , SSM or FSA . If a service article exists for this concern, DISCONTINUE this test and FOLLOW the service article instructions. If no service articles address this concern, INSTALL a new BCM .
REFER to: Body Control Module (BCM) (419-10 Multifunction Electronic Modules, Removal and Installation).
No The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by module connections. ADDRESS the root cause of any connector or pin issues.

PINPOINT TEST B: AN INDIVIDUAL REVERSING LAMP IS INOPERATIVE

Refer to Wiring Diagrams Cell 93 for schematic and connector information.

Normal Operation and Fault Conditions

REFER to: Exterior Lighting - Overview (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).
REFER to: Exterior Lighting - System Operation and Component Description (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).

Possible Sources

  • Wiring, terminals or connectors
  • Reversing lamp assembly

Visual Inspection and Pre-checks

  • Inspect the reversing lamp assembly for damage.
B1 CHECK FOR VOLTAGE TO THE REVERSING LAMP
  • Ignition OFF.
  • Apply the parking brake.
  • Disconnect Inoperative LH Reversing Lamp C451 or RH Reversing Lamp C461 .
  • Ignition ON.
  • Place the gear selector in REVERSE (R).
  • Measure:
    Click to display connectors

      LH Reversing Lamp


    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C451-1   Ground

    Click to display connectors

      RH Reversing Lamp


    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C461-1   Ground

Is the voltage greater than 11 volts?
Yes GO to B2
No REPAIR the reversing lamp supply circuit for an open.

B2 CHECK THE REVERSING LAMP GROUND CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN
  • Measure:
    Click to display connectors

      LH Reversing Lamp


    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C451-1   C451-5

    Click to display connectors

      RH Reversing Lamp


    Positive Lead Measurement / Action Negative Lead
      C461-1   C461-5

Is the voltage greater than 11 volts?
Yes INSTALL a new reversing lamp bulb.
No REPAIR the circuit in question.


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