Ford Offers Helpful Tips on Cars with LKS
Ford offers information on its SRS system, Blind Spot Information System and Lane Keep Assist, all of which include helpful tips for auto glass technicians when it comes to windshield replacements. This includes a look at Ford’s Lane Keeping System (LKS) and defrost heater. The LKS is an open, momentary-contact switch that grounds the LKS switch-input circuit from the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) when pressed by
the driver. The camera windshield defrost heater clears frost and ice from the windshield in front of the IPMA. The article explored the LKS in the F-150 for an example of how to install/repair.
Input from the front camera and the air temperature tell the IPMA whether to turn the heater off or on. The heater will come on if the IPMA detects the temperature below 41 degrees. Except with the Ford F-150 Raptor, the defrosting heating element is integral to the windshield and can only be serviced if the windshield is replaced. In the Raptor, the heating element adheres to the inside of the windshield and directly in front of the
IPMA camera. The integrity of the wiring, connectors and terminals on the jumper harness must be verified before the heating element is replaced.
An overhead graphic of a vehicle displays in the instrument panel when the LKS is on, and if lane-keeping mode is selected, arrows are displayed that point toward the lane lines. When the LKS is off, the lane graphics are not displayed on the panel.
If the system cannot provide lane-keeping assistance, the lane markings will be gray. This indication may mean one of the following: vehicle speed is under LKS activation; too much sun is on the IPMA camera; the vehicle is too close to lane markings, lane markings are either too narrow or too wide, poor lane markings are on the road; the driver is following the vehicle in front too closely; the camera is blocked; the windshield is dirty or damaged; among other factors.
OEM Scan Report Offers Confidence and Transparency
The remote scanning and diagnostic service from asTech has made it possible for comprehensive scan reports and official OEM tool reports.
“We listen to our customers. We are committed to providing excellent service to continually enhance our products and services,” said Cris Hollingsworth, president of asTech, a Repairify, Inc. Company. “The delivery of the original OEM scan report will provide our customers with an additional layer of confidence and transparency so they can remain focused on properly repairing today’s complex vehicles.”
With a library of more than 1,000 OEM scan tools, customers now have remote access to the official OEM report. According to a company statement, asTech, based in Plano, Texas, provides further information, including diagnostic trouble codes, repair ecommendations, recall check information, and professional input from the company’s more than 400 ASE and I-CAR certified master technicians.
“We identified the opportunity to include this resource during our ongoing one on one conversations with our customers,” said Maurice Tuff, chief technology officer, in the company statement.
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