2011 Headlights Installed (w/pics)
02-27-12, 03:52 PM
#46
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what I don't understand is why don't you guys just take the afs fuse out? thats what I did when I got the car because I didn't have $2000+ for headlights and wasn't familiar with the forums, halogen now and the afs light was blinking but once i took the fuse out, the problem has never come back 
But NOT the solution I'm looking for... Looks like black tape inside the cluster led is going to prevail on this one..
~ Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 02-27-12 at 08:09 PM.
02-28-12, 07:46 AM
#47
what I don't understand is why don't you guys just take the afs fuse out? thats what I did when I got the car because I didn't have $2000+ for headlights and wasn't familiar with the forums, halogen now and the afs light was blinking but once i took the fuse out, the problem has never come back
02-28-12, 09:15 AM
#48
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It is in the "Owners Manual"...
It shows the diagram location of the Drivers side fuse block, above & behind the Parking Brake Pedal.. It also shows the fuse to pull..
~ Joe Z
It shows the diagram location of the Drivers side fuse block, above & behind the Parking Brake Pedal.. It also shows the fuse to pull..
~ Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 02-28-12 at 09:20 AM.
02-29-12, 02:08 PM
#50
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Anyone have access to the 2008 Wiring diagram for the headlights and AFS ECU. I am somewhat handy with electrical issues, and wonder if I can find an elegant solution. If anyone does, let me know.
02-29-12, 07:21 PM
#51
Last edited by Jeff Lange; 02-29-12 at 11:16 PM.
02-29-12, 08:50 PM
#52
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Thanks, that is a great start.
What is the highest resolution, with the most detail, that you have regarding the headlight assembly. It probably is no secret that the key is the sensor. The motor seems to be a 4 wire, bi-polar stepper motor. They inherently do not have any feedback control, so I doubt the ecu is throwing an error because the motors are missing. If it is, that can be resolved as well with some well placed resisters.
It is most likely the sensor that is causing the issue. If I can figure out the sensor part number, I may be able to find the wiring diagram, and figure out what needs to be done to fool the AFS ecu. If not, it may mean some trial an error with a multi meter, O-Scope, and some other things. OR, a part number for the swivel motor drive unit chip, in the AFS ecu, would work.
If these are available, great. Otherwise, I would hate to have to take apart my car to get the information, especially since I do not have any 2011 headlights.
What is the highest resolution, with the most detail, that you have regarding the headlight assembly. It probably is no secret that the key is the sensor. The motor seems to be a 4 wire, bi-polar stepper motor. They inherently do not have any feedback control, so I doubt the ecu is throwing an error because the motors are missing. If it is, that can be resolved as well with some well placed resisters.
It is most likely the sensor that is causing the issue. If I can figure out the sensor part number, I may be able to find the wiring diagram, and figure out what needs to be done to fool the AFS ecu. If not, it may mean some trial an error with a multi meter, O-Scope, and some other things. OR, a part number for the swivel motor drive unit chip, in the AFS ecu, would work.
If these are available, great. Otherwise, I would hate to have to take apart my car to get the information, especially since I do not have any 2011 headlights.
02-29-12, 11:15 PM
#53
Your train of thought is pretty much exactly what I was thinking as well, but my car never had AFS so I don't have the ECU, and I'm selling my AFS lights so they are all boxed up, even if they weren't, getting to the AFS sensor inside would be a bit tricky.
I will check the RM and see if there is any mention of what the AFS ECU is expecting to see from the sensors. The only concern I'd still have is whether or not the AFS ECU would still throw the light based on it trying to move the motor and not getting the expected response from the AFS sensor. I'm not 100% sure what it would do at that point, but it may assume the motor is jammed or similar and cause a blinking AFS light anyway.
Anyway I'll check.
EDIT: There isn't much info on the actual operation, though it does seem that most of what is happening is right at initial turn-on and after that it probably doesn't care all that much:
Jeff
I will check the RM and see if there is any mention of what the AFS ECU is expecting to see from the sensors. The only concern I'd still have is whether or not the AFS ECU would still throw the light based on it trying to move the motor and not getting the expected response from the AFS sensor. I'm not 100% sure what it would do at that point, but it may assume the motor is jammed or similar and cause a blinking AFS light anyway.
Anyway I'll check.
EDIT: There isn't much info on the actual operation, though it does seem that most of what is happening is right at initial turn-on and after that it probably doesn't care all that much:
Originally Posted by '08 NCF
Initial Set Control
When the engine is started, the headlight swivel ECU (AFS ECU) drives the headlight swivel actuator and
moves the projector headlight to the left and right operation limit. Then it returns to the proper position.
The headlight swivel ECU (AFS ECU) thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.
Basic Operation
The operation angle of the headlights is detected by the position (number of steps) of the stepper motor
in the headlight swivel actuator.
When the engine is started, the headlight swivel ECU (AFS ECU) drives the headlight swivel actuator and
moves the projector headlight to the left and right operation limit. Then it returns to the proper position.
The headlight swivel ECU (AFS ECU) thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.
Basic Operation
The operation angle of the headlights is detected by the position (number of steps) of the stepper motor
in the headlight swivel actuator.
Last edited by Jeff Lange; 02-29-12 at 11:38 PM.
02-29-12, 11:46 PM
#54
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Cool, the edit you made above helped. If anyone can answer the following. At what point does the AFS error light start to indicate there is a problem. Is it immediate upon startup. If the car is started and just idling, does the error light illuminate?
It is possible that the movement of the AFS motor, and the resulting sensor reading, will have to be monitored and mapped, and then tied into the steering sensor, to mimic a functioning AFS system. Should not be that difficult, once all the signals are determined and/or mapped. A manual/wiring diagram may help. Knowing what chips are used will definitely help. But, seems do-able with a little bit of work.
On a side note, I NEVER realized that the headlights swivel side to side. I really have to look at that. Anyone know if it works while idling, and just turning the steering wheel side to side?
Anyone with an extra 08 headlight that doesn't need it anymore, want to donate it to the cause? Let me know.
It is possible that the movement of the AFS motor, and the resulting sensor reading, will have to be monitored and mapped, and then tied into the steering sensor, to mimic a functioning AFS system. Should not be that difficult, once all the signals are determined and/or mapped. A manual/wiring diagram may help. Knowing what chips are used will definitely help. But, seems do-able with a little bit of work.
On a side note, I NEVER realized that the headlights swivel side to side. I really have to look at that. Anyone know if it works while idling, and just turning the steering wheel side to side?
Anyone with an extra 08 headlight that doesn't need it anymore, want to donate it to the cause? Let me know.
Last edited by wiredGS400; 02-29-12 at 11:50 PM.
04-10-12, 01:21 AM
#59
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Ok so i got my stripped lights from Sewel and took the car to lexus to fit them. They said that they would have to break open my 08 lights to remove the ballasts. I saw that somewhere here and JOE-Z has a video showing how to disassemble the connector on the ballast.
My question is, is there any way to remove the ballasts without breaking open the 08 lights? Thanks guys.
My question is, is there any way to remove the ballasts without breaking open the 08 lights? Thanks guys.
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