LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-19-14, 05:48 PM
  #31  
Shmee
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
Shmee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
Posts: 1,471
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

So I attempted this today and NO LUCK!

Yamae's pic:


My pics:

image by ZX3Tuning, on Flickr


image by ZX3Tuning, on Flickr

lifting the resister shown by Yamae did not turn off the light on the dash.

Thoughts Yamae?
Old 10-20-14, 12:04 PM
  #32  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

thanks for confirming this mitch. note what tails you are running so we all know what works and what doesn't.
Old 10-20-14, 06:58 PM
  #33  
Yamae
Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Yamae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Japan
Posts: 3,741
Received 854 Likes on 646 Posts
Default

As long as I have modified JDMs, all worked well lifting the 2.2K at the corner.

The best method is to change those 3 current sensing resistors (3 metal parts) selecting to meet the LEDs current. But this is a time consuming job. The actual methods is to use a high-wattage variable resistor and find resistors which work well with your LED lights.

Another method may be to cut the trace to pin #4 of the connector but I have never tried it. Theoretically it should work.

Last edited by Yamae; 10-21-14 at 08:40 PM. Reason: Correction of pin number.
Old 10-21-14, 03:56 PM
  #34  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

which one is #14? any wiring schematic? thanks yamae for the help!
Old 10-21-14, 06:14 PM
  #35  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

^ that one is for the 98-00 tail light sensors. the one shmee and i need are for 95-97 model year.
Old 10-21-14, 08:39 PM
  #36  
Yamae
Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Yamae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Japan
Posts: 3,741
Received 854 Likes on 646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by timmy0tool
^ that one is for the 98-00 tail light sensors. the one shmee and i need are for 95-97 model year.
Sorry for the confusion.
#4 for 95-97
#14 for 98-00.
Attached Thumbnails How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21-tail-connector-ucf20-early.png   How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21-lfs-sensor-connector-95-97-.png  
Old 10-21-14, 10:13 PM
  #37  
Caniac14
Driver
 
Caniac14's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Me and schmee have the same tail lights so it's nice to know it wasn't just my car.
So cutting number 4, Is that still from the red box inside the trunk? Do I just get needle nose pliers and pluck it out?
Old 10-23-14, 03:23 PM
  #38  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

THANK YOU yamae!

Originally Posted by Caniac14
Me and schmee have the same tail lights so it's nice to know it wasn't just my car.
So cutting number 4, Is that still from the red box inside the trunk? Do I just get needle nose pliers and pluck it out?
what i would do is cover the pin on the red box side with electrical tape to make everything reversible!
Old 10-27-14, 05:15 PM
  #39  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

yamae, will you post the schematic for the 95-97 box if you have it? i'm trying to do some experiments with the brake lights, and need to know which pin triggers the brake lights to come on. thanks for the incredible support!
Old 10-27-14, 07:55 PM
  #40  
Yamae
Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Yamae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Japan
Posts: 3,741
Received 854 Likes on 646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by timmy0tool
yamae, will you post the schematic for the 95-97 box if you have it? i'm trying to do some experiments with the brake lights, and need to know which pin triggers the brake lights to come on. thanks for the incredible support!
There is no schematic because Toyota doesn't release it. So sorry that I have no idea to give it to you.

All you need to do is a reverse engineering by your eyes, skills, assumptions and efforts.
Old 10-27-14, 08:08 PM
  #41  
Yamae
Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Yamae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Japan
Posts: 3,741
Received 854 Likes on 646 Posts
Default

I can give you some of the results of my reverse engineering.
The tail lights are checked by the current from pin5 to 7 and 11.
The brake lights, pin10 to 1 and 2.
The center brake light,pin 9 to 6.
Old 10-27-14, 09:06 PM
  #42  
Yamae
Moderator
Thread Starter
 
Yamae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Japan
Posts: 3,741
Received 854 Likes on 646 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Yamae
I can give you some of the results of my reverse engineering.
The tail lights are checked by the current from pin5 to 7 and 11.
The brake lights, pin10 to 1 and 2.
The center brake light,pin 9 to 6.
Each currents are checked by comparators with time constant circuits and results are sent to the driver.
If you want to keep the unit alive with LED lights, you need to select proper resistors between those pins above. The simple way is to use a high wattage variable resistor or to do calculations of ratio and change to new higher resistors. The calculation is done like this below.

Original current / LED current X original resistance.

Usually, it is between 5 to 23 times depending on LEDs and circuit designs.
My result was 22.7 times. May be because I used special high efficiency LEDs for industrial use mounted on a white aluminum board and the unit is shaped like a regular bulb like this below. I aimed a direct replacement and the result was like the second photo. The photo was taken under the sun but lights were bright enough. The brightness is as same as the original and no one noticies that the LEDs are inside. I aimed to reduce the current and to pass the Shaken or the inspection by the government.
Attached Thumbnails How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21-home-made-led-bulb.jpg   How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21-led-lighs-view.jpg  
Old 10-27-14, 10:04 PM
  #43  
Shmee
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
Shmee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
Posts: 1,471
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Yamae
I can give you some of the results of my reverse engineering.
The tail lights are checked by the current from pin5 to 7 and 11.
The brake lights, pin10 to 1 and 2.
The center brake light,pin 9 to 6.
For which years?

On my car (96), it is my brake lights triggering the dash light. i have checked and i have 3 resistor packs out of 6 that are bulged and cracked in the epoxy covering them so i would imagine this is the reason why i suddenly have this issue were it did not exist before.

So, if my understanding is right, you are suggesting i pull/clip the leads to pin 1,2&10?
Old 10-28-14, 10:48 AM
  #44  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 415 Likes on 370 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Shmee
For which years?

On my car (96), it is my brake lights triggering the dash light. i have checked and i have 3 resistor packs out of 6 that are bulged and cracked in the epoxy covering them so i would imagine this is the reason why i suddenly have this issue were it did not exist before.

So, if my understanding is right, you are suggesting i pull/clip the leads to pin 1,2&10?
try pin #4 first for now as yamae suggested. try that first before clipping any more leads. get something to isolate the pin from making contact with the wire harness, electrical tape perhaps but i feel it might be too thick.

on VWs i recall all i did was bend the pin flat as to not make contact on their headlight switch to disable DRLs. maybe that method can work here as well. like this:
Old 09-02-15, 07:32 PM
  #45  
goyal1
Driver School Candidate
 
goyal1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 2002 Lexus LS430 Tail Light Failure Alert

I have 2002 LS430, I have same problem with "Tail Light Failure". All bulbs are checked and three replaced. No failure indicator unless I put in DRIVE mode (reverse or forward). The "Tail Light Failure" light comes on as soon as I put in Drive.

Please advise.


Quick Reply: How to modify the tail lights failure sensor for UCF20/21



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:46 AM.