litronic levelling

[davidg7539]

I recently bought a 2001 S with factory litronic lights. As this is the third car in the family with xenon lighting (Focus ST and Mazda 5) I was expecting the same superb lighting.

When dipped the lights look reasonably good but on main beam they are disappointing to say the least. There is a really dark spot right in the middle and the foreground seems very bright. On main beam, all the bulbs (including the H7s) are working but I've noticed there is no trace of movement from either of the litronic adjuster motors in the light units. I'm guessing this is the root of the problem.

Anyone any ideas how this system is supposed to work? Does the level sensor look at car rake angle or is it simply a reference from horizontal? If so, how does it know when the car is going up or down hill, when braking etc?

Any other ideas what might be wrong?

Thanks.

D

[Tool Pants]

Litronics have an additional connector on the back of the headlight for the motor. This connector must be disconnected in order to remove the headlight. Check to see that it is connected by removing the headlight. The previous owner may have removed the headlights and forgot to reconnect them.

The high beam adjustment can be tested, but you need to find someone with a PST2/PIWIS.

There are level sensors on the suspension on the left side of the car. If you take a left wheel off you can see it. There is a moveable link from the sensor to suspension. You should check to see that the link has not become disconnected.

[davidg7539]

Litronics have an additional connector on the back of the headlight for the motor. This connector must be disconnected in order to remove the headlight. Check to see that it is connected by removing the headlight. The previous owner may have removed the headlights and forgot to reconnect them.

The high beam adjustment can be tested, but you need to find someone with a PST2/PIWIS.

There are level sensors on the suspension on the left side of the car. If you take a left wheel off you can see it. There is a moveable link from the sensor to suspension. You should check to see that the link has not become disconnected.

Thanks Toolpants, checked the headlight units and the left side unit was not connected. Re-assembled and tested - both sides now motor up and down with the dip switch, ie., it looks like the left unit controls both motors. Maybe...

Thanks again, David

B)

[davidg7539]

Litronics have an additional connector on the back of the headlight for the motor. This connector must be disconnected in order to remove the headlight. Check to see that it is connected by removing the headlight. The previous owner may have removed the headlights and forgot to reconnect them.

The high beam adjustment can be tested, but you need to find someone with a PST2/PIWIS.

There are level sensors on the suspension on the left side of the car. If you take a left wheel off you can see it. There is a moveable link from the sensor to suspension. You should check to see that the link has not become disconnected.

Thanks Toolpants, checked the headlight units and the left side unit was not connected. Re-assembled and tested - both sides now motor up and down with the dip switch, ie., it looks like the left unit controls both motors. Maybe...

Thanks again, David

B)

I thought this was a bit too easy...

Switched on lights tonight and neither adjuster motor is working again. Checked connectors in both headlight units and both are connected correctly.

Is there a relay somewhere? or a fuse? any other ideas? Does anyone know what voltages should be on which pins? Or where I can find a wiring diagram?

Thanks for any help.

David

[davidg7539]

Litronics have an additional connector on the back of the headlight for the motor. This connector must be disconnected in order to remove the headlight. Check to see that it is connected by removing the headlight. The previous owner may have removed the headlights and forgot to reconnect them.

The high beam adjustment can be tested, but you need to find someone with a PST2/PIWIS.

There are level sensors on the suspension on the left side of the car. If you take a left wheel off you can see it. There is a moveable link from the sensor to suspension. You should check to see that the link has not become disconnected.

Thanks Toolpants, checked the headlight units and the left side unit was not connected. Re-assembled and tested - both sides now motor up and down with the dip switch, ie., it looks like the left unit controls both motors. Maybe...

Thanks again, David

B)

I thought this was a bit too easy...

Switched on lights tonight and neither adjuster motor is working again. Checked connectors in both headlight units and both are connected correctly.

Is there a relay somewhere? or a fuse? any other ideas? Does anyone know what voltages should be on which pins? Or where I can find a wiring diagram?

Thanks for any help.

David

More checking, both light unit 4 pin connectors have about 3.6volts on all four pins whether the lights are on main beam or dipped. I've found the control unit for them behind the front boot trim next to the m'cyl reservoir but it has too many pins to check without a diagram - but it definitely has at least one pin with 12v on it all the time the headlights are on and one that has 12v on it when on main beam that goes to 0v when dipped. So to me it looks as if the control unit is getting power and a signal so is probably faulty?

I guess I'll need to buy one to find out... I'll let you know.

David

[davidg7539]

Litronics have an additional connector on the back of the headlight for the motor. This connector must be disconnected in order to remove the headlight. Check to see that it is connected by removing the headlight. The previous owner may have removed the headlights and forgot to reconnect them.

The high beam adjustment can be tested, but you need to find someone with a PST2/PIWIS.

There are level sensors on the suspension on the left side of the car. If you take a left wheel off you can see it. There is a moveable link from the sensor to suspension. You should check to see that the link has not become disconnected.

Thanks Toolpants, checked the headlight units and the left side unit was not connected. Re-assembled and tested - both sides now motor up and down with the dip switch, ie., it looks like the left unit controls both motors. Maybe...

Thanks again, David

B)

I thought this was a bit too easy...

Switched on lights tonight and neither adjuster motor is working again. Checked connectors in both headlight units and both are connected correctly.

Is there a relay somewhere? or a fuse? any other ideas? Does anyone know what voltages should be on which pins? Or where I can find a wiring diagram?

Thanks for any help.

David

More checking, both light unit 4 pin connectors have about 3.6volts on all four pins whether the lights are on main beam or dipped. I've found the control unit for them behind the front boot trim next to the m'cyl reservoir but it has too many pins to check without a diagram - but it definitely has at least one pin with 12v on it all the time the headlights are on and one that has 12v on it when on main beam that goes to 0v when dipped. So to me it looks as if the control unit is getting power and a signal so is probably faulty?

I guess I'll need to buy one to find out... I'll let you know.

David

OK - problem solved I think.

The control unit is not faulty.

What was wrong was a bent pin on one of the adjuster motor connectors preventing the socket from fully engaging and getting an intermittent connection.

What I didn't understand was that the control unit doesn't work if any one of the adjusters is disconnected. ie., if one headlight is disconnected then both motors stop working. Out of curiosity I've checked and disconnecting one side at a time (doesn't matter which) causes both motors to stop working. A bit counter intuitive...

Now for some beer...

David