Field-Effect Transistor (FET) Protection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The IC utilizes a FET protective circuit strategy for some of its outputs. Output loads (current level) are monitored for excessive current (typically short circuits) and are shut down (turns off the ground provided by the module) when a fault is detected. A continuous DTC is stored at the time of the fault. When an excessive circuit load occurs several times, the module shuts down the output until a repair procedure is carried out. At the same time, the continuous DTC that was stored on the first failure cannot be cleared by a command to clear the continuous DTCs. The module does not allow this code to be cleared or the circuit restored to normal until a successful on-demand self-test proves that the fault has been repaired. After the on-demand self-test has successfully completed (no on-demand DTCs present), the continuous DTC clears and the circuit function returns.

The IC FET protected output circuits for the instrument panel illumination system are for the courtesy lighting and battery saver output circuits.