So since buying my car in the last 30k miles the only issue outside of maintenance items has been 1 oxygen sensor. Recently my AFS light starts to blink really fast. I think the headlights are too low and its trying to move them and it cant, it generally happens when I am on a steep hill. Has anyone had a headlight adjustment fix this problem? It sounds like they are a ***** to adjust as well.

 

I have the same issue, and tried to fix them myself. Once my car turns on, the AFS light blinks constantly.

My rear AFS sensor was rusted inside, especially the 3 copper springs inside them. I opened it up and replaced with better copper springs, but this didn't solve my problem.

At this point, I'm going to take it to my indie and ask him to figure it out.

 

Rear AFS? I dont understand, its adaptive FRONT lighting system. What do you mean by rear?

Im assuming it trys to auto level and is out of spec and throws the light since it only happens to me on steep hills, and Ive noticed the headlights seem to be aimed down a lot.

 

The AFS motors are behind the headlights, but their input sensors are on the driver's side front, and driver's side rear near the transmission.

The sensors are potentiometers that are connected to the suspension via an assembly, and as the suspension moves up and down when you drive, the sensor position changes and this tells the headlight motors to go up or down.

If you open up the sensor itself, you'll see three copper springs. Mine were rusted out, preventing electrical contact in the potentiometer and driving the AFS flashing light.

I fixed my issue but the light is still on. Your issue may very well be with the motors. They may be stuck.

 

Ohhh, Ok. Yea I just read about that. Is there a fuse that can be pulled to disable it and not get a light?

 

Apparently not. If you pull the AFS fuse your lights will go nuts.

I'm learning that as reliable as the 430's are with engine and transmission, their electrical issues are a different story.

Definitely not a Camry in terms of maintenance costs.

 

hmm, I assume all the engine splash guards have to be removed to access these things? If I can find a used one cheap I may try it. Could be why my headlights are aimed at the ground?

 

Yes there is a fuse you can pull. It’s in the passenger footwell fuse box. From memory It’s #12. You’re lights won’t move anymore. I did this years ago and aimed the lights myself. No regrets..

 

Awesome! No flashing light? How hard was it to aim the lights? Thats something I am dreading lol. From what Ive found you either go at it with a flat head screwdriver and it likely wont move, or you have to disassemble something thats a pain to get screws out of.

 

It is most likely You will need to replace the sensor+bracket at the drivers rear wheel well if you want to keep the AFS system functional . Its a common problem. I changed the sensor only at first even though my copper springs were not corroded but if was the actual bracket assembly that was at fault so I just got the whole thing on ebay for $230 shipped. It takes 10 mins to do

Search for this on ebay:

89408-50060 GENUINE OEM SENSOR SUB-ASSY, HEIGHT CONTROL, REAR LH 8940850060

 

I took the cover on the back of the lights off and removed the rod that links the high beam to the low beam. Put tape on the garage wall in front of the car so I could see what movement was happening. Turned the adjusters for the low beams to get them right then put it all back together. It’s kinda fiddley but not hard. You can leave the covers off while you take a test drive to see how you did and then put it all together when you’re done. I’m sure there are other ways but that what worked for me. Did it about three years ago when afs started flashing when I turned right. The 430 has such good headlights I really don’t miss the moving part.

 

I pulled the fuse, screw spending $230 lol. No Afs light anymore. I may keep an eye out for a used leveler but with 3 cars, 2 of which are toys, $230 can go elsewhere. I spend money when I have to on my ls430 but for this pulling a fuse is fine for now. Now it hust needs to be dark out to test. I feel like my headlights would auto adjust to max low when I turned the car on so hopefully they are good now, if not I’ll be adjusting them for sure.

 

Price of new sensor assembly=$230
Price of watching the headlights go up and down in the dark when you start the car= priceless😉

 

I’d rather put it into my 1992 stealth twin turbo or 2000 trans am. More smiles per dollar then the ls can give me. Hell, putting it into getting the Lexus wheels refinished is money better spent in my eyes. This cars pushing 200k miles so I feel like it’s money better saved then spent. She may go 300k, but she won’t have AFS and that’s fine with me lol.

 

Is there any negative to pulling out the AFS fuse?