fc2se

iTrader: (2)

I found this post after I had already started constructing something similar:
http://alex.mordue.co.uk/blog/?p=46

He documented it so well that repeating it in full here seems unnecessary. I did make two changes, though:

• used 1.2k Ohm resistors in series with the 10k Ohm to make the output voltage range more closely match the output of the stock sensors
• attached the sensor replacements to the "short harnesses" that originally connected to the stock sensors to avoid cutting any wires inside the car and make the modification more easily reversible --- front is wrapped in heat shrink tubing and rear is in the trunk and can be routed inside the car for on the fly adjustments in the future

While it is not as graceful as an auto-leveling system, it works like a charm and can be used to fine tune the headlight beam angle. Gross alignment should still be done physically, of course.

In my case, the front sensor was physically damaged and beyond repair (center shaft pulled out when sway bar end link broke), so I decided to go manual. An option for some people may be to install the adjustable, manual sensor in place of the front sensor since it is the one that most often goes bad. Then the rear sensor would be the one determining the headlight leveling. It could also be useful for someone with a suspension setup that significantly alters the relative angles of the front and rear suspension.

While looking at the sensors, I came to the conclusion that many auto manufacturers are using the same sensor with a custom bracket and linkage for their cars. I wish the sensor could be purchased alone for something much less than $600. Looks like owners of many other cars such as the Toyota Prius have similar complaints as us. At some point people may start pulling these sensors from junkyards from other make and model cars and swapping them over to fix failing sensors --- just an idea.

viprez586

iTrader: (5)

Awesome link, I had wanted to do something like this until I discovered Lexus/Toyota uses the same sensor. Yep they're still in the $400-500 price range.
I managed to snag up two that still move correctly and had very minimal corrosion.


My hopes for something like this would be to run the potentiometer next to the DSC OFF button so you can adjust your headlight level on the fly seamless.

fc2se

iTrader: (2)

I have attached a hand drawn schematic after getting questions from a few forum members who may not have much experience with electronics. I've only drawn the variable voltage circuit that replaced one of the sensors (rear in my case). The other sensor was replaced with an equal voltage divider consisting of two 4.7 k Ohm resistors.