Front Suspension Sensor is Dangling?

[racerken]

I have a 2004 US Carerra coupe, 6sp, and I noticed something strange while changing my front driver side tire. There is a device that is mounted to the frame/body and apparently attaches to the lower arm via a rod(the component between the frame and the spindle), I think. It appears to either measure the suspension height or vibration??? The Rod-ends are allowed some freedom to rotate and the arm rotates vertically from the 'box'. Anyway, where does the other end of the rod attach and how would one fix it? I'm assuming it attaches to the aluminum lower arm.

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Ken

[Tool Pants]

Do you have Bi-Xenon headlights? If so it sounds like the suspension sensor. There is also one on the left rear.

[racerken]

Do you have Bi-Xenon headlights? If so it sounds like the suspension sensor. There is also one on the left rear.

I do have bi-xenon lights. I'll have to crawl under the car tonight to check on how it is mounted in the left rear.

Would you recomend epoxy, mig/tig weld, or dealer??? our dealers out here in michigan are not so good on advice.

Thanks much.

Ken

[Loren]

The front sensor (item 18). There should be a small strut (item 20) and everything is held on with screws, bolts and nuts. I would look to see what is missing or broken/bent.

The rear is very similar. Sensor (item 21) strut (item 20). etc.

[racerken]

Fixed!!!!! :drive:

I ordered the part from Sunset Imports:

996-341-371-03, sensor link, $ 2.31

Inexpensive/Fast/The right part.

I did notice that the lights now aim about 20 feet further now.

Edited September 26, 2006 by racerken

[a1certified]

I hadn't thought about this until I read this thread. But does lowering the suspension (I have an X74 which is 40mm lower than the stock US) necessitate adjusting the headlamps. I haven't driven much at night since doing the mod and frankly haven't thought about it. I'll try to form an impression next time it's night and I'm on the road in the car.

David

[racerken]

I hadn't thought about this until I read this thread. But does lowering the suspension (I have an X74 which is 40mm lower than the stock US) necessitate adjusting the headlamps. I haven't driven much at night since doing the mod and frankly haven't thought about it. I'll try to form an impression next time it's night and I'm on the road in the car.

David

The suspension sensor does not allow any adjustment.

this is a good thread: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...hl=xenon+sensor

next time you go to the dealer, might try asking them to hook-up the diag tool that adjusts the beam.

Prior to my fix, the beams would always move up and down before settling at the max low position. Just made me drive slower than my lights at night. Now I think I'm blinding people as I did notice that several people (opposing direction) did flick lights at me.

I guess for full-on test, you could put the car on jacks, remove the driver side tires and start messing around with the fr/rr sensors...

Cheers,

Ken

[Alan C.]

Isn't there something in the owner's manual about adjusting the lights? It seems there is a sequence with the lights and ignition key.

[DK570]

Fixed!!!!! :drive:

I ordered the part from Sunset Imports:

996-341-371-03, sensor link, $ 2.31

Inexpensive/Fast/The right part.

I did notice that the lights now aim about 20 feet further now.

Is that part supposed to snap into the arm? My rear sensor just rests there, I'm assuming the part that snaps it into place has broken off. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

[ericinboca]

Fixed!!!!! :drive:

I ordered the part from Sunset Imports:

996-341-371-03, sensor link, $ 2.31

Inexpensive/Fast/The right part.

I did notice that the lights now aim about 20 feet further now.

Is that part supposed to snap into the arm? My rear sensor just rests there, I'm assuming the part that snaps it into place has broken off. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Yes, they are supposed to "snap" in. There are little tabs, and they are supposed to go into a spot on the control arms. .

There are actually two different types of controls arms for cars with and without lintronic. If for some reason you don't have the right control arms, or you want a down and dirty fix, you can use two wire ties. Make an X across the top. Holds just fine.

(Note in this image, the control arm is disconnected from the wheel carrier and is hanging down loose, making the sensor off kilter.)