How do the puddle lights work?

[kgschlosser]

OK so this is probably going to one of those question that I am already thinking i know the answer to.

 

The puddle lights, the ones that shoot the Lincoln logo on the ground. When do those turn on? The only time they seem to turn on is when I unlock the car.. This is would be a really dumb design if that is the case. The purpose to them is to see a puddle. Chances are a person would see a puddle if they are walking up to the car from the exterior. They may not see it when exiting the vehicle and this is when the lights is the most important. My Lincoln MKS  has puddle lights and they light up any time the door is opened and it is night time out OR when it is night time and you unlock the doors.

 

I have all of the lighting options turned on in the informant.

 

Maybe there is something wrong with mine?

 

 

Edited July 16, 2021 by kgschlosser

[bbf2530]

7 hours ago, kgschlosser said:

OK so this is probably going to one of those question that I am already thinking i know the answer to.

 

The puddle lights, the ones that shoot the Lincoln logo on the ground. When do those turn on? The only time they seem to turn on is when I unlock the car.. This is would be a really dumb design if that is the case. The purpose to them is to see a puddle. Chances are a person would see a puddle if they are walking up to the car from the exterior. They may not see it when exiting the vehicle and this is when the lights is the most important. My Lincoln MKS  has puddle lights and they light up any time the door is opened and it is night time out OR when it is night time and you unlock the doors.

 

I have all of the lighting options turned on in the informant.

 

Maybe there is something wrong with mine?

 

 

 

Hi kg. From your brief description, your welcome mats/puddle lights seem to be working properly.

 

They only illuminate when the mirrors are in the folded in position. Therefore, they will not light when you get out of the car, because the mirrors are extended and do not fold until after you lock the doors.

 

In addition, even if they did light when the mirrors were extended (which they do not): Once a front door is opened by someone in the car, the welcome mat/puddle light has moved with the door towards the front of the car and is also on the wrong side of the door and would not illuminate where the driver or front seat passenger would be stepping out anyway. They would be no help at all, since they would be lighting the ground about 3-4 feet forward of where our feet would step out. Essentially, with the front doors open, they would be lighting up the front tires/the ground next to the front tires.

 

But again, by your description, it seems they are working properly.

 

And as an additional FYI: If you turn off the autofold option in the Driver Information Center, the welcome/puddle lights will not illuminate at all, since they only illuminate if folded.

 

Good luck.

Edited July 17, 2021 by bbf2530

[kgschlosser]

33 minutes ago, bbf2530 said:

In addition, even if they did light when the mirrors were extended (which they do not): Once a front door is opened by someone in the car, the welcome mat/puddle light has moved with the door towards the front of the car and is also on the wrong side of the door and would not illuminate where the driver or front seat passenger would be stepping out anyway. They would be no help at all, since they would be lighting the ground about 3-4 feet forward of where our feet would step out. Essentially, with the front doors open, they would be lighting up the front tires/the ground next to the front tires. 

 

If you lived where I live you would know what it's like to live in a place that has very little light pollution. When there is no moon you can literally see ZERO unless you have some kind of light. Now while the puddle light might shine on the opposite side of the door it would illuminate no where' near the tire. My puddle lights light up the ground right at the B pillar of the car and is no more then 2" off the body of the car. When opening the door there would be more then enough stray light from the lamp to light the ground up as you are opening up the door. You would be able to see everything and anything as the door was opening. Without the puddle light  the floor of the car casts a shadow on the ground from the interior lights turning on when you open the door. You can't see anything below the sill of the door because of that shadow and how blinkin dark it can be at night here.

 

I want to meet the rocket scientist  that designed the puddle lights to function the way they do. why change something that doesn't need to be changed. On my Lincoln MKS they light up when you open the door (either outside or in doesn't matter) or when you unlock the doors. There is no fancy Lincoln logo but they worked very well and it was a light that is about as bright as a map light inside the car. Nice and simple and they really lit up the ground around the car so you could see something like a small animal or a stick or something from 15 feet away from the car.

 

I am going to have to rewire the lamps so they turn on when the door gets opened or unlocked period.

 

 

[bbf2530]

41 minutes ago, kgschlosser said:

 

If you lived where I live you would know what it's like to live in a place that has very little light pollution. When there is no moon you can literally see ZERO unless you have some kind of light. Now while the puddle light might shine on the opposite side of the door it would illuminate no where' near the tire. My puddle lights light up the ground right at the B pillar of the car and is no more then 2" off the body of the car. When opening the door there would be more then enough stray light from the lamp to light the ground up as you are opening up the door. You would be able to see everything and anything as the door was opening. Without the puddle light  the floor of the car casts a shadow on the ground from the interior lights turning on when you open the door. You can't see anything below the sill of the door because of that shadow and how blinkin dark it can be at night here.

 

I want to meet the rocket scientist  that designed the puddle lights to function the way they do. why change something that doesn't need to be changed. On my Lincoln MKS they light up when you open the door (either outside or in doesn't matter) or when you unlock the doors. There is no fancy Lincoln logo but they worked very well and it was a light that is about as bright as a map light inside the car. Nice and simple and they really lit up the ground around the car so you could see something like a small animal or a stick or something from 15 feet away from the car.

 

I am going to have to rewire the lamps so they turn on when the door gets opened or unlocked period.

 

 

 

Hi kg. First...I am quite familiar with the concepts of wet ground, puddles, night and really dark, even if I don't live where you live. ?

And have you ever wondered why you purchased your MKZ, since your first 12 posts are all to complain about one thing or another. ?

 

Next: You asked how the "puddle lights" ("Welcome Mat) work. I described how they work and that yours are working correctly (according to your description).

 

Next...Please answer this question: Does your MKS have auto-fold mirrors?

And keep in mind that the "Welcome Mat" on your 2018 MKZ is not a floodlight type of illumination, like your MKS has (or my older 2007 MKZ). It is a "Welcome Mat" with a very well defined illumination area.

 

Next...You are erroneously imagining where the light would shine with the door open and mirror folded.  Again, the "Welcome Mat" shines where you described while the mirror is folded.

But if you opened the door with the mirror unfolded, it would shine close to/on the bottom of the front tires/next to the tires. 

In reality, it would almost shine there with the door closed in the unfolded position. And even if I, or you, are off a foot or two either way, the mirrors simply do not work the way you want them to.

 

I am here to help others when I can, not argue opinion based design issues. That is a no-win scenario for everyone. And I was trying to help you with your questions.

So without getting into an even longer, unnecessary design discussion, or needing to reexplain where that Welcome Mat would actually shine if the door was opened with an unfolded mirror, the simple fact is the "Welcome Mat" was designed this way.

 

So as you have figured out, if you want it to behave differently, you will need to "...rewire the lamps so they turn on when the door gets opened or unlocked period."

 

However, one word of advice: Considering the number of perceived issues you are having with your *new* MKZ, and how often you may be taking it in for warranty work during the remaining warranty period, you should probably wait until after the warranty is expired before you do any "rewiring" or other modifications. Otherwise you will endanger your warranty.

 

Good luck with your MKZ and whatever you decide to do.

Edited July 17, 2021 by bbf2530

[kgschlosser]

I purchased the vehicle with the expectations that is was going to offer the same or better features. I had puddle lights and I liked them so I got a vehicle with puddle lights. I am working off the expectation that they would function just as they had and  not when the vehicle is unlocked from the remote only. There is no way to to test the functionality of these things during the daytime, and why would I anyway? the purpose to them is to illuminate the ground so you do not step in a puddle. if it does not light the ground up when opening and closing the door then it is not a puddle light. Now you called it a "welcome mat". even a welcome mat serves a purpose just like a puddle light does. This light is not a welcome mat either. It is a feature that serves zero function or purpose and had I know that I would have sought out a vehicle where the features worked as they should and not some 1/2 way thing that Lincoln has changed them to be for some reason that is unknown.

 

The things I am encountering are not things that exist on my previous Lincoln I have a whole headlamp assembly that needs to be replaced because the DRL flashes like a turn signal when  ever it wants. The entire center HVAC control board with all the buttons on it in the center console needs to be replaced because of an LED that turns on and off whenever it wants.

 

I don't know if there are other defects in the vehicle as I am seeing a car that has low miles on it need to have 4 thousand dollars in parts put into it. I see the puddle lights as not functioning the way that a puddle light should and I would call that a defect. Now I can bring the car to the dealership and waste my time and theirs only for them to look at the car and then tell me that is how it is supposed to function. Or I can skip over the wasting of peoples time and clogging up that already overloaded service department  bringing in a vehicle for a non issue.  I asked a service rep about the puddle lights and how  they are supposed to work. the answer was "when you open the door". At that time I had not figured out that they only work when you lock and then unlock the car. I live 20 minutes drive at 50mps to the nearest gas station. You guessed it I have no reason to lock my vehicle at my house. and because I do not lock the car the mirrors will not fold in and even if I press the unlock button with the doors already unlocked the lights do not turn on. On my last Lincoln the lights turn on if unlock is pressed regardless of the doors being locked or not.

 

 

And here is yet another. I can open the trunk on my car without having to have the key on my person. On my last Lincoln you cannot open the trunk from the back of the vehicle unless you have the key within a specific distance from the trunk. Naturally as any person would they would consider this to be a defect. They would consider it a defect because since cars had trunks and locks were put on them you have ALWAYS had to have your keys with you to open the trunk. Now that I have learned that Lincoln has changed the functionality of the options it has had on previous vehicles in a manner that makes absolutely no sense I am going to be inclined to run around the car 2 times, stand on my head and the jiggle the antenna and maybe the trunk will not allow any random person from opening it. Now I am going to assume that the trunk locks and unlocks with the doors which has to be the most brain dead way to design it because if the car is unlocked there is NOTHING to stop a child from pressing the button to open in climb in and then press the button to close it. That would kill that child if it's over 80 degrees out or below 60 degrees if they are in there for a long period of time. I highly doubt that there is a passenger presence sensor installed into the trunk like here is in the passenger front seat. There is no way for the vehicle to know that there is a child in the trunk. This has got to be the single largest bone headed thing to change.

 

 

 

 

[bbf2530]

8 hours ago, kgschlosser said:

I purchased the vehicle with the expectations that is was going to offer the same or better features. I had puddle lights and I liked them so I got a vehicle with puddle lights. I am working off the expectation that they would function just as they had and  not when the vehicle is unlocked from the remote only. There is no way to to test the functionality of these things during the daytime, and why would I anyway? the purpose to them is to illuminate the ground so you do not step in a puddle. if it does not light the ground up when opening and closing the door then it is not a puddle light. Now you called it a "welcome mat". even a welcome mat serves a purpose just like a puddle light does. This light is not a welcome mat either. It is a feature that serves zero function or purpose and had I know that I would have sought out a vehicle where the features worked as they should and not some 1/2 way thing that Lincoln has changed them to be for some reason that is unknown.

 

The things I am encountering are not things that exist on my previous Lincoln I have a whole headlamp assembly that needs to be replaced because the DRL flashes like a turn signal when  ever it wants. The entire center HVAC control board with all the buttons on it in the center console needs to be replaced because of an LED that turns on and off whenever it wants.

 

I don't know if there are other defects in the vehicle as I am seeing a car that has low miles on it need to have 4 thousand dollars in parts put into it. I see the puddle lights as not functioning the way that a puddle light should and I would call that a defect. Now I can bring the car to the dealership and waste my time and theirs only for them to look at the car and then tell me that is how it is supposed to function. Or I can skip over the wasting of peoples time and clogging up that already overloaded service department  bringing in a vehicle for a non issue.  I asked a service rep about the puddle lights and how  they are supposed to work. the answer was "when you open the door". At that time I had not figured out that they only work when you lock and then unlock the car. I live 20 minutes drive at 50mps to the nearest gas station. You guessed it I have no reason to lock my vehicle at my house. and because I do not lock the car the mirrors will not fold in and even if I press the unlock button with the doors already unlocked the lights do not turn on. On my last Lincoln the lights turn on if unlock is pressed regardless of the doors being locked or not.

 

 

And here is yet another. I can open the trunk on my car without having to have the key on my person. On my last Lincoln you cannot open the trunk from the back of the vehicle unless you have the key within a specific distance from the trunk. Naturally as any person would they would consider this to be a defect. They would consider it a defect because since cars had trunks and locks were put on them you have ALWAYS had to have your keys with you to open the trunk. Now that I have learned that Lincoln has changed the functionality of the options it has had on previous vehicles in a manner that makes absolutely no sense I am going to be inclined to run around the car 2 times, stand on my head and the jiggle the antenna and maybe the trunk will not allow any random person from opening it. Now I am going to assume that the trunk locks and unlocks with the doors which has to be the most brain dead way to design it because if the car is unlocked there is NOTHING to stop a child from pressing the button to open in climb in and then press the button to close it. That would kill that child if it's over 80 degrees out or below 60 degrees if they are in there for a long period of time. I highly doubt that there is a passenger presence sensor installed into the trunk like here is in the passenger front seat. There is no way for the vehicle to know that there is a child in the trunk. This has got to be the single largest bone headed thing to change.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi kg. I hope you can get all of your issues with this car corrected. Perhaps you should have had this used car professionally inspected before buying. It may have helped. What is done is done, so I won't beat you over the head about that.But I also ask that you please do not take your frustrations out on innocent people like me, who had nothing to do with your purchase or any regrets/problems you may be having, and are only trying  to help.

 

As is now obvious, the "service rep" was incorrect about how the Welcome Mat works. The information I gave you is correct. They only illuminate if the mirrors are folded. You came here for help, so accept the help we can give.

With a Welcome Mat/Lincoln logo/asymmetrical type light, they can only illuminate the ground properly while in one position. Either folded or unfolded...not both. And either with the door closed, or open. Not both. So in this case, they are in the proper position to illuminate the appropriate area while folded with the door closed. That is the way they work. It is as simple as that.

Your MKS and my older MKZ had more unfocused, floodlight type puddle lamps with less sophisticated electronics. In fact, tomorrow night I will check the puddle lights on my 2007 MKZ to see if they turn on when I open my door to get out of the car etc. However, our 2018 MKZ's have a more sophisticated system (one I consider to be nicer). I 100% understand you prefer the older style system in your MKS, and you have a right to that opinion.

 

And while I believe the trunk of my 2018 operates the same as yours, I will check it tomorrow to see how it works when the vehicle is unlocked and I don't have my keyfob with me. In the meantime, if you are worried about children climbing into the trunk, you need to lock your car from now on.

 

Heck, if we actually fully think this through: If you are really and truly worried about a child opening your trunk, climbing in and closing it, then you should be locking your car anyway. Why? Because when you leave your car unlocked, a child could simply open a door of your unlocked car, climb in, fall asleep and die from the heat. And I personally find that a much more likely scenario than a child finding the little trunk button, opening the trunk, climbing in, then pressing the button/pulling it closed.

 

With complaints like the trunk, I get the idea that you just really want to express some frustrations and blow off some steam (and are perhaps suffering a little buyers remorse)? And that is perfectly okay, if that is what you want to do.

But I don't want to endlessly debate noises, Welcome Mats/puddle lights and trunk buttons. So again, I will drop out of these conversations and only step in if I feel I can help, or if I need to repeat the facts again.

 

Again, hopefully one of our tech members may jump in to help you if they can.

 

Good luck with getting everything straightened out.

 

EDIT- I checked my trunk operation this morning. It works the same as yours (and as designed). If the car is unlocked, the exterior button on the trunk will open it, without the keyfob needing to be in proximity. So at least that is one less issue to worry about bringing up with your Lincoln Dealer's Service Department.

Edited July 17, 2021 by bbf2530

[bnewt]

I agree with the op

I have a 2017 Limited that the puddle lights operate when the doors are opened & closed

much better feature than on my 2020 mkz, which are pretty much useless

big disappointment for this type of vehicle

[bbf2530]

4 hours ago, bnewt said:

I agree with the op

I have a 2017 Limited that the puddle lights operate when the doors are opened & closed

much better feature than on my 2020 mkz, which are pretty much useless

big disappointment for this type of vehicle

 

Hi bnewt. He has a 2018, and the puddle lights on the 2018 models work exactly the same as your 2017. Mirrors folded. What is the difference in operation with your 2020?

 

The only difference in operation would be whether the vehicle model/trim level is equipped with the "Lincoln Embrace" feature, which senses the keyfob coming within ~10 feet of the vehicle and illuminates the welcome lights, puddle lamps/Welcome Mat etc. If the vehicle is not equipped with that feature, then they do not illuminate until the vehicle is unlocked. In addition, they only illuminate when the mirrors are folded. And the mirrors are not folded when the vehicle is turned off, until the drivers door is closed and locked.

 

And if they are not working properly, then he needed to bring the vehicle in to have it checked.

 

Hope that makes the discussion clearer. Good luck.

Edited November 8, 2021 by bbf2530

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