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Headlight positioning sensor question

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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 10:14 AM
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Headlight positioning sensor question

I have aftermarket springs on my car, and so in order to get them on there i had to undo this sensor. When i put it back, i put it back just like it was, and now my dash light for the leveling sensor is always on. Is there a fix for this with lowering springs?
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 10:35 AM
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The lowering springs do not affect the position sensors.

You may have damaged your sensors or wiring; either the front or the rear.

Maybe you can take some pictures and let everyone have a look
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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they're only on the drivers side, correct?

i don't think i damaged them... i was very careful with them.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Big Money Pit
they're only on the drivers side, correct?

i don't think i damaged them... i was very careful with them.
Yes, driver's side front and rear. Did you disconnect them or just set them aside?
Are you sure that the sensor arm is in the correct position?
There's also a lot of information in this TSB
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...8-07-1729a.pdf
I had my connectors sealed up to prevent corrosion.

Last edited by DarkBrew; Jun 7, 2009 at 11:12 AM.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 11:03 AM
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Its a known problem with people who lower their springs because the sensor is on the rear anti-roll bar.
Read through the "RX8 Interesting Facts" list.... its on there:
http://www.rx8blog.com/mazda-rx8-interesting-facts/
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 11:16 AM
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Yes, lowering can affect headlight aim but should not cause a warning light.
The common cause of the headlight aim warning light is corrosion. Water gets in through the connector.
The second leading cause is improper installation....
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Jon316G
Its a known problem with people who lower their springs because the sensor is on the rear anti-roll bar.
no...
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkBrew
Yes, lowering can affect headlight aim but should not cause a warning light.
The common cause of the headlight aim warning light is corrosion. Water gets in through the connector.
The second leading cause is improper installation....
Ahh... I see.
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 02:18 PM
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ok, the light is still on. i've attached some pictures of the front and the rear. everything looks normal to me. keep in mind... this only occured immediately after i installed my lowering springs and the light has been on ever since.

the first three are the rear sensor, from the back of the car.

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and these next four are the front sensor:


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???
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Old Sep 22, 2009 | 10:18 AM
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bump

anyone?
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Old Apr 7, 2012 | 09:25 AM
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Hmm... after debating whether or not to revive this.. I think I will.
Have you figured it out?

Looks like that front sensor connector is a bit dirty.. may want to pull it off, and have a look inside to see if the connections are corroding?
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Old Apr 23, 2016 | 11:24 PM
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Coilovers causing headlight level cel

Has to be because the angle of the car no way did i damage the sensor my car is angled forward and the headlights clearly dont have the depth they did. Sensor has to be SENSING something is off. Going to look more into it this weekend.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 05:53 PM
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Im having a similar issue, i installed Powertrix coilovers and get the auto leveling light but mine comes and goes. Its been a couple years now (car is stored at my parents and i don't get to drive it or mess with it much) so i cant remember if i removed the back sensor or not. Anyone able to give me some guidance in how to check if they are positioned properly?
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Old May 8, 2016 | 10:38 AM
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There's an easy way to test that, put the coilovers to as close to stock height and attitude front and back, and see if the light goes off after a drive.

Keep in mind that the sensor is susceptible to moisture infiltration and corrosion of the sliding contact. You can take it apart easily to check though.
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Old May 9, 2016 | 01:08 PM
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Loki is right; you need to verify that it didn't just coincidentally fail at the same time the work was done.

Mine failed and was replaced under warranty after 3 years of ownership after having done nothing to the car (aside from driving).
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Old May 9, 2016 | 03:51 PM
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Cool, I probably check the sensor first. I feel like that's probably more likely since its a intermittent issue for me at least. Hopefully that's the issue, easier than adjusting the whole car back and fourth.
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Old May 9, 2016 | 04:09 PM
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... Or you could just throw money at the problem.
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Old May 10, 2016 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by NotAPreppie
... Or you could just throw money at the problem.
? not sure I'm following you, I'm gonna take the sensor apart first and check it if it looks good if it does then move on to adjusting the car back to stock height and see if that's the issue. I'm not just gonna buy new sensors and put them on if the old ones are working just fine.
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Old May 11, 2016 | 07:17 AM
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Ahh, I've never heard of somebody disassembling the sensor so I thought you meant you were just going to replace the sensor.

I'm not even sure what kind of output those sensors give. Is it voltage, resistance or something else?
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Old May 11, 2016 | 04:59 PM
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Not sure myself, guessing it might be resistance but I could be totally wrong. The part that sucks is I cant even mess with it for a few weeks.
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Old May 11, 2016 | 06:28 PM
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Yah, it's really annoying to have a plan and have to wait to execute it.
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