Illuminated Lincoln badge installation

[wayno347]

I wish to install an illuminated Lincoln badge on the grille. Will this affect the warranty on a 2019 Continental Reserve?

 

[bbf2530]

I wish to install an illuminated Lincoln badge on the grille. Will this affect the warranty on a 2019 Continental Reserve?

Hi wayno347 and welcome to the Lincoln Forums. Short story: Yes it can. It may not, but it can, and the final decision would be up to Lincoln/Ford. Not us. And not the Dealership and/of anyone at the Dealership (no matter what they or anyone else may tell you.

Longer story: Any modification we make to our vehicles which alters it from factory condition may/will affect future warranty claims for anything even remotely related to the modification.

For example: In this case, if you a future warranty claim for a problem with the electrical and/of electronic systems of the vehicle (which are all interrelated nowadays), Lincoln/Ford can deny the claim, since you modified the electrical system.

And contrary to what some believe, Lincoln/Ford do not need to "prove it to me" or anyone else. Not unless you take them to arbitration or court. And who wants to go through that.
Also keep in mind that the paperwork and contracts we sign when we purcahse a vehicle implicitly state what the warranty terms are. And if we read the Warranty Guide, it excludes issues/problems due to vehicle modifications.

Another example: If you read through previous threads about this subject, you will find that auto manufacturers have denied warranty claims for power window problems on vehicle with aftermarket window tint film. Why and how do they justify that? They have claimed the thickness/properties of the window tint caused excessive friction on the power window motor. Or damage was caused to the motor/regulator, wiring etc. when the installer removed the door panel and/or installed the tint.

Or on the other hand, you may install it and never have any issues with future warranty claims. Just be aware it is possible.

I am not telling anyone not to modify their vehicle if they wish to. I am only making the possible warranty ramifications known, so we can all make an educated decision. Plus...you asked.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

[wayno347]

Hi wayno347 and welcome to the Lincoln Forums. Short story: Yes it can. It may not, but it can, and the final decision would be up to Lincoln/Ford. Not us. And not the Dealership and/of anyone at the Dealership (no matter what they or anyone else may tell you.

Longer story: Any modification we make to our vehicles which alters it from factory condition may/will affect future warranty claims for anything even remotely related to the modification.

For example: In this case, if you a future warranty claim for a problem with the electrical and/of electronic systems of the vehicle (which are all interrelated nowadays), Lincoln/Ford can deny the claim, since you modified the electrical system.

And contrary to what some believe, Lincoln/Ford do not need to "prove it to me" or anyone else. Not unless you take them to arbitration or court. And who wants to go through that.
Also keep in mind that the paperwork and contracts we sign when we purcahse a vehicle implicitly state what the warranty terms are. And if we read the Warranty Guide, it excludes issues/problems due to vehicle modifications.

Another example: If you read through previous threads about this subject, you will find that auto manufacturers have denied warranty claims for power window problems on vehicle with aftermarket window tint film. Why and how do they justify that? They have claimed the thickness/properties of the window tint caused excessive friction on the power window motor. Or damage was caused to the motor/regulator, wiring etc. when the installer removed the door panel and/or installed the tint.

Or on the other hand, you may install it and never have any issues with future warranty claims. Just be aware it is possible.

I am not telling anyone not to modify their vehicle if they wish to. I am only making the possible warranty ramifications known, so we can all make an educated decision. Plus...you asked.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Wow. Lots of good info in your narrative. Guess it might be wise for me to withhold the install until the warranty is up. Thanks again

 

[wayno347]

Wow. Lots of good info in your narrative. Guess it might be wise for me to withhold the install until the warranty is up. Thanks again

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[AaronZ]

I had mine installed today at my local Ford Dealer for $130. My only complaint is that it stays lit for 10 minutes after I turn the car off.

 

[wayno347]

Void the warranty?

 

[AaronZ]

Void the warranty?

The Service Advisor didn’t say anything.

 

[MarkX]

I had mine installed today at my local Ford Dealer for $130. My only complaint is that it stays lit for 10 minutes after I turn the car off.

That's quite reasonable, given the amount of labor that's involved.

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[AaronZ]

I had mine installed today at my local Ford Dealer for $130. My only complaint is that it stays lit for 10 minutes after I turn the car off.

 

[AaronZ]

Here’s what my Service Advisor told me when I asked him about the LED staying on after I turn the car off, “Good morning Aaron, the emblem will stay lit for about 5-10 minutes before it "times out" and turns it self off. It draws a tiny amount of voltage, it will not drain your battery. It stays energized until the power in the "resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.”

 

[MarkX]

Here’s what my Service Advisor told me when I asked him about the LED staying on after I turn the car off, “Good morning Aaron, the emblem will stay lit for about 5-10 minutes before it "times out" and turns it self off. It draws a tiny amount of voltage, it will not drain your battery. It stays energized until the power in the "resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.”

Nice touch!

 

[bbf2530]

Here’s what my Service Advisor told me when I asked him about the LED staying on after I turn the car off, “Good morning Aaron, the emblem will stay lit for about 5-10 minutes before it "times out" and turns it self off. It draws a tiny amount of voltage, it will not drain your battery. It stays energized until the power in the "resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.”

Hi Aaron. The Lincoln emblem is turning off after 10 minutes because it is wired into a circuit which is monitored by the Battery Saver feature of the vehicle.

The Battery Saver feature turns off switched circuits 10 minutes after the engine/ignition is turned off. So items like the headlights, interior lights etc. will be turned off by the Battery Saver feature after 10 minutes. Also the Audio system, although opening a front door before the 10 minute period will also turn it off.

However, the "...resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.” explanation by the Service Advisor was a colorful explanation. 🙃

It looks good though! Good luck! 🍻

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[AaronZ]

Hi Aaron. The Lincoln emblem is turning off after 10 minutes because it is wired into a circuit which is monitored by the Battery Saver feature of the vehicle.

The Battery Saver feature tuns off switched circuits 10 minutes after the engine/ignition is turned off. So items like the headlights, interior lights etc. will be turned off by the Battery Saver feature after 10 minutes. Also the Audio system, although opening a front door before the 10 minute period will also turn it off.

However, the "...resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.” explanation by the Service Advisor was a colorful explanation. 🙃

It looks good though! Good luck! 🍻

Hi Aaron. The Lincoln emblem is turning off after 10 minutes because it is wired into a circuit which is monitored by the Battery Saver feature of the vehicle.

The Battery Saver feature tuns off switched circuits 10 minutes after the engine/ignition is turned off. So items like the headlights, interior lights etc. will be turned off by the Battery Saver feature after 10 minutes. Also the Audio system, although opening a front door before the 10 minute period will also turn it off.

However, the "...resistor goes to sleep" and shuts down as it's designed to.” explanation by the Service Advisor was a colorful explanation. 🙃

It looks good though! Good luck! 🍻

Any recommendations on a better way to wire it? I watched a YouTube video where the guy put used an “add a fuse” and plugged it into spot 34.

 

[bbf2530]

Any recommendations on a better way to wire it? I watched a YouTube video where the guy put used an “add a fuse” and plugged it into spot 34.

Hi AaronZ. I was not implying the way the Dealer wired it up was wrong (if an owner does not mind them staying on for 10 minutes after they leave their vehicle), only that the explanation the Service Advisor gave as to why they were staying on for 10 minutes was "creative". 🙃

If I were to install a modification like this (although it is nice, I probably wouldn't), I would wire it to a switched circuit which turns off when the vehicle was turned off, or at least one that turned off when the driver/front passenger door was opened, as the audio system/power windows etc. do.

If I understand the YouTube video correctly, you would need to be running a new wire from the illuminated Lincoln badge through the engine compartment, then through the firewall to the fuse box to "slot 34". I don't have the 2020 Continental fuse box diagram handy, and don't want to be the one to tell you to wire things differently (possibly jeopardizing any Dealer warranty), so I will leave that to someone else more comfortable telling others how to modify their vehicle electrical systems. 🤔

If you are not comfortable having them stay on 10 minutes as they are now, I would ask the Dealership to rewire it to a switched circuit which shuts off when the ignition is turned off, as mentioned above, instead of counting on the Battery Saver feature to turn them off after 10 minutes. That is the advice I feel comfortable offering. Hope you understand why. 🤗

Keep us updated and good luck. 🍻

 

[Conti19]

I had mine installed today at my local Ford Dealer for $130. My only complaint is that it stays lit for 10 minutes after I turn the car off.

I ran my own wire to be able to turn on and off. I liked that idea. I can control when it's on and off and it runs off its own electrical current and it's not tap to anything stop just simply it's on add-on.