2026 swap to signature headlights not working.

[babyblue81]

Just purchased a used pair of 2023 signature headlights to fit on my 26’ big bend.

Brought it into ford for them to install and the mechanic told me they don’t work. They are vin locked and when he went into forescan he couldn’t change it. I have the control module on these signature lights.

Anyone else run into this problem. Spent $800 on these and now they are paperweights.

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[BigBend530]

That's an unexpected response. I have a 2022 Big Bend and installing signature headlights (from unknown year Bronco) was plug and play. Nothing to do except turn them on.

 

[babyblue81]

Yeah I was super choked. He said one headlight worked somewhat and the other didn’t even turn on. I know these headlights function cause I was there when we took them off.

 

[babyblue81]

The codes that came up said inoperable.

 

[Ducati1098]

Headlights aren't VIN locked.
They likely just need to perform the headlight LIN module Initialization procedure in FDRS.

 

[BigBend530]

Maybe it's your Bronco's programming and not the lights themselves. Either way, it isn't what is expected especially when you see all these other stories of people doing it.

 

[babyblue81]

Thanks Ducati1098 I’m turning around now and see what they say when I bring that up

 

[babyblue81]

Ducati1098 I just spoke to the tech and he performed the Lin module in fdrs. He even printed out the codes for me

 

[KillerPenz]

I could've sworn they were plug and play. Only thing I've heard of people having issues with were the Raptor headlights, but other then that, normal Signature lights were fine. @Ducati1098 would know better than us though what to look for to fix this. But if you search this site, you can probably find tons of posts about this swap.

 

[Ducati1098]

Ducati1098 I just spoke to the tech and he performed the Lin module in fdrs. He even printed out the codes for me

The Enhanced exterior lighting calibration is what I was referring to (I just couldn't remember the name before looking it up)
Worth trying that.

There also appears to be something new in FDRS that I have never seen called the Headlamp upgrade. Certainty wont hurt trying both of those to see if it makes them work correctly.

 

[babyblue81]

Thanks @Ducati1098 Tech told me that headlamp upgrade is blank. He said maybe ford is planning a later update for it.

The parts guy told me maybe why it’s not working is my headlights are level two with the control module is internal where the signature lights are external.

He’s a very smart guy and even he doesn’t know why these won’t work. Everyone on this forum tells me it’s pretty much plug & play.

 

[KillerPenz]

Maybe it's something with the new model years, maybe Ford realized they were losing out on too much money from people doing the swaps themselves for a fraction of the cost. But people have been doing this swap without issue since the beginning.

December 2021 post

 

[babyblue81]

Maybe the new 26’s aren’t compatible. Hoping this isn’t the case.

 

[chrisdupe]

I swapped a pair into my 2025 base. Plug and play, no issues.

Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[babyblue81]

@chrisdupe thanks man. At least I know the 25’s will work. Love to hear if anyone has done this for a ‘26 yet.

So weird. Like these should work.

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