Gen4 Headlight Auto Levelling Initiallisation

During today's  Hunt The Rattle , I undid the Link (item 2 below)

 

As it did rattle when you moved it. When refitting, it slipped off the square spigot of the senor and it rotated a few times.

Now after finding the real cause of the rattle, I went out for a test drive, and as the headlights were set to Auto, I noticed they didn't do the usual up/down system check. So I decided to check the workshop manual, it says "After removing the link (Item 2 above) initialize headlight auto leveling system."

 

So this brings me on to my question, looking at the manual below, would this have to go to a Suzuki Main Dealer, or should any decent garage be able to do it? I'm guessing my cheap OBDII reader won't be able to do it?

 

I've only ever set them up with an SDT (or similar).

The sensor is a kinda variable resistor (like a Scalextric controller). The ecu that it gives info to needs to know where zero is. If you park on a level surface, set your tyre pressures etc. this is what the car considers to be zero. The ecu has picked up a loss of communication from the sensor and isnt sure where zero is now. Thats why you need to reset it.

I am sure some of the higher spec diagnostic machines can do it, Snap-on, Bosch etc. so if your local garage has one then it should be ok. They need to have access to the body control module and the 'Utility' function.

Have you phoned your local Suzuki dealer and asked for a quote? Resetting and recalibrating stuff is a pretty common job nowadays in dealerships, if you are clear on what you want them to do, I'm sure they wont be that expensive.



(Runs away cowering, waiting to be told I am wrong and all dealers are cutthroat rogue traders! LOL!)

Thank you for your reply.

I haven't contacted my local dealer as this only happened today (Sunday), so I will give them a ring tomorrow.

Ok, I took my Jimny to my dealer yesterday, they said they have reset it, but the Auto Levelling is still not working!

They did point out that the system hasn't detected a fault as the dashboeard warning light hasn't come on. 

I'm going to try removing the arm again and rotating the sensor back a quarter turn at a time, don't think I have nothing to loose?

Can't help sorry, but you have nothing to loose trying your suggestion, it's not working so won't get any worse.
WHat I struggle to understand is why the dealer did not fix the problem. With most sensors you can read the current value with the correct scan tool and the workshop manuals give a permitted range. The learn function is simply calibration to allow for tolerance in manufacturing, so the sensor value should have been visible and "about correct" to the workshop. Sounds like half a job or they don't know what they are doing.

Interesting video, complex solution to a problem that never existed. 

Good luck.

 complex solution to a problem that never existed

Soeley,

The auto-leveling is a regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions.  That means that a warning light to indicate failure of the system is also a requirement.  You usually don't get one without the other.

So, if your dash isn't showing a warning light for the failure of the headlight adjusters, that's a puzzle.  You can see the warning light on the preignition all-lights status check.  If your computer detects a failure in the system, the light would come on again after starting.

Maybe before mechanically altering the system again (potentially), do some "sanity checking" to make sure the problem is really what you think it is.  For example, when you say the system is not working, you don't mention what tests you might have done-- did you change the load in the car and the headlights did not react?  Get the fat neighbor from over the road to stand on the tow ball, etc?

I have no particular expertise, as my Jimny has a manual HL adjustment wheel.  But the facts that 1) you don't mention a dashboard warning light and 2) your dealer says the system checks out on the computer, together suggest that your Jimny at least thinks everything is working as it should.  Try the tests above, before you dive into it.

And if the tests show the car isn't reacting to changes in load (the purpose of self-leveling HL) only then start looking for problems, e.g. did the axle link slip off again somehow, can it be set in a different orientation that activates the HL motors, does your multimeter show the sensor values reacting appropriately, is there voltage at the sensor and HL motors, etc.

I don't think there will be a deep mystery here, as there just aren't that many parts to go wrong.  Good luck.

Edit: and if in the end you confirm that it must just need a recalibration, I would vote for taking it to your local quality independent shop, where they may have more customer focus...

Scimike wrote:

WHat I struggle to understand is why the dealer did not fix the problem.

 

Yes, I am a bit annoyed about that, they didn't even try to suggest anything or say they will try an look into it and get back to me

Motacilla wrote:

So, if your dash isn't showing a warning light for the failure of the headlight adjusters, that's a puzzle.  You can see the warning light on the preignition all-lights status check.

Maybe before mechanically altering the system again (potentially), do some "sanity checking" to make sure the problem is really what you think it is.  For example, when you say the system is not working, you don't mention what tests you might have done-- did you change the load in the car and the headlights did not react?  Get the fat neighbor from over the road to stand on the tow ball, etc?

I have no particular expertise, as my Jimny has a manual HL adjustment wheel.  But the facts that 1) you don't mention a dashboard warning light and 2) your dealer says the system checks out on the computer, together suggest that your Jimny at least thinks everything is working as it should.  Try the tests above, before you dive into it.

And if the tests show the car isn't reacting to changes in load (the purpose of self-leveling HL) only then start looking for problems, e.g. did the axle link slip off again somehow, can it be set in a different orientation that activates the HL motors, does your multimeter show the sensor values reacting appropriately, is there voltage at the sensor and HL motors, etc.

I don't think there will be a deep mystery here, as there just aren't that many parts to go wrong.  Good luck.

Edit: and if in the end you confirm that it must just need a recalibration, I would vote for taking it to your local quality independent shop, where they may have more customer focus...

Thanks for your input.

The dash warning light does light up on the Pre-Ignition test, so I know the light is working, but with engine running and lights on, the warning light is not illuminated.

I knew the auto levelling wasn't working straight away, as normally when the headlights are switched on, they do an initial up/down movement and now they don't.

It is sensitive enough to see the headlights auto level just by getting in and out of the car or just opening the rear door, as the shift in weight of the spare tyre activates it.

I will get back under this weekend and have another look at it.