Chapter 20

Lighting Systems
 Lamps
• A lamp generates heat and light as current
flows through the filament.
• Filament vacuum sealed in glass envelope.
• Lamps are normally single filament or
double filament.
 Sealed-Beam Headlights
• Air tight assembly
• Contains filament,
reflector, and lens
• Type 1 is high beam
• Type 2 is high and
low beam
 Halogen Lamps
• Halogen identifies a group of nonmetallic
elements, including chlorine, fluourine, and
iodine.
• Most halogen lamps filled with iodine vapor.
• Tungsten filament can withstand higher
temperature because of the halogen.
 Composite Headlights
• Use a replaceable bulb
• Improves aerodynamics, fuel economy, and
vehicle styling
 Cylindrical Housings
• Many headlights have cylindrical bulb housings.
• Enables the light beam to be projected without
much scattering.
 HID Headlights
• Also called xenon headlamps.
• Use gas-discharge lamps.
• Electronically controlled.
• Use an electric arc instead of a filament.
• Uses high-voltage to jump gap and about 80
volts to maintain.
Halogen Compared to Xenon
 Bi-Xenon Lights
• Some vehicles use xenon lamps for high
and low beams.
• Use an additional halogen lamp for flash-to-
pass.
 LED Headlights
• LED benefits:
– Do not require vacuum or high voltage
– Use up to 40% less power
– Provide whiter light than xenon
– Environmentally friendly
– Longer operating life
– More shock resistant
– Reduce glare perception
– Smaller size which provides more flexibility
 Headlight Switches

• Controls most exterior lighting.

• Instrument panel (IP) lights come on when
switch is in park or headlight position.
• IP light brightness may be controlled by
rheostat in headlight switch.
• The system can be power-side or ground-
side controlled.
 Dimmer Switches
• Allows driver to switch between high- and
low-beams.
• Connected in series with headlight circuit.
• Typical dimmer switch.
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)

• Added safety feature.

• Headlights connected in series when the
ignition switch is on and headlights are off.
• When headlights are turned on normal
operation returns.
 Concealed Headlights
• Used to improve aerodynamics.
• Low profile headlight assemblies are used more
than concealed headlights.
• Concealed headlights are either electric or vacuum
operated.
• Headlight doors can be operated manually.
 Flash to Pass

• Most steering-column-mounted dimmer

switches have flash to pass.
• Illuminates the high-beams even with
headlights off.
• Completes a circuit to the high-beam
headlights.
 Automatic Light Systems
• Light-sensitive, automatic, on-off control.
• Uses a photocell sensor/amplifier.
• Manual headlight switch operation
overrides automatic setting.
• High-beam detection system turn high-
beams on and off.
– Forward looking light sensor detects conditions
 Adaptive Headlights
• Inputs from steering system and vehicle
speed.
• Aims headlights in direction of turning
• One design uses motors to position
headlights.
• Second design uses extra turning lamps.
• Adaptive system may use GPS data.
 Auxiliary Lights
• Used for special driving conditions.
– Fog, passing, off-road, worklights, rooflights,
decklights, deckbars, and spotlights
• Use varies according to local regulations,
federal and state laws.
 Driving Lights
• Provide an intense, thin beam of light.
• Proper aim is very important.
• Used in conjunction with high-beams.
• Should be wired to be on with high-beams
and off when high-beams are off.
 Fog Lights
• Designed to send a flat, wide beam under
the fog.
• Mounted low and aimed low.
• Often fitted with yellow or amber lenses to
reduce glare.
 Headlamp Service
• Headlamp failures are usually caused by burned
out bulbs.
• Check for voltage at the bulb before replacing it.
• If more than one lamp is not working, carefully
check the circuit.
• If the voltage regulator is defective, the high
voltage will cause lamps to burn out prematurely.
 HID Diagnosis and Service
• Turning headlight switch on powers the
HID transformer.
• Bi-xenon system use a shutter to redirect
light.
• A delay before full illumination is normal.
• Blue to white light is normal.
 HID Bulb Replacement
• HID bulbs do not suddenly stop working.
• As bulb wears it will shut off and turn on.
• Will become more frequent.
• Increases wear on the transformer.
• If lights are flickering, the transformer
should be replaced with the bulbs.
 Headlight Adjustment
• Before adjusting headlights:
– Vehicle must be on a level floor
– Remove ice, snow, or mud
– Try to adjust with fuel tank half full
– Check vehicle ride height
– Inflate tires to specifications
– Wheel alignment should be correct
– Settle the suspension before adjustment
 Headlight Adjustment (cont’d)
• Many vehicles have built-in bubble levels
for headlight adjustment.
• Headlight aiming equipment uses a split
mirror system and levels for adjustment.
• If neither are available, a screen can be used
to determine headlight accuracy.
 Auto-Leveling Headlights
• Found on some xenon equipped vehicles.
• Keeps headlight aim within a certain range
regardless of load and driving conditions.
• Each headlight has a leveling motor.
• Uses input from front and rear suspension .
• Diagnosed with a scan tool.
 Automatic Headlight
System Diagnosis
• Inspect for any obstruction of the photo cell.
• Proper photo cell alignment is necessary.
• Follow the manufacturer’s testing
procedures.
 Adaptive Headlight Diagnosis
• Controlled by a headlamp control module.
• Monitor inputs with a scan tool.
– Data used from ECM, TCM, EBCM, and BCM
• Headlamp module calculates desired angle.
• Module can also monitor motor control
circuits.
 Other Light Bulbs
• Most designs prevent
using incorrect bulb
type.
• May be several types
within the design.
• Bulbs have trade
numbers.
 Light Circuits
• Single filament bulbs use two wires.
• Double filament bulbs will have two hot
wires and a ground.
• Light circuits can be either power or ground
controlled.
 Interior Light Assemblies
• Engine compartment light
• Glove box light
• Luggage compartment light
• Trunk lid light
• Vanity light
 Courtesy Lights
• Provides light inside the vehicle.
• Operated by doors, headlight switch, or
separate switch.
• Often tied into keyless entry and/or alarm.
• Map lights usually independent of courtesy
lights.
 Illuminated Entry System
• Illuminated lock cylinders.
• Most have an electronic actuator module.
• Activated by lifting outside door handle or
keyless entry.
 Rear Exterior Lights
• Taillights • Side marker lights
• Turn signal and hazard • Reverse or back-up
lights lights
• Brake lights • License plate lights
• Center high-mounted
stop light
 Turn, Stop, and
Hazard Warning Lights
• Each system has a switch to control operation.
• Turn signals only powered with key on.
• Stop and hazard lights powered with key off.
• Turn signal and hazard lights may be part of
multifunction switch.
Video Link Slide

To play, click the video screen.

 Flashers
• Used by turn signal and hazard systems.
• Some styles use temperature sensitive bi-
metallic strip.
• Many flashers are electronic.
• An inoperative turn signal bulb generally
causes a different flashing rate.
 Brake (Stop) Lights

• Controlled by brake light switch normally

mounted on brake pedal bracket.
• All late model vehicles have a center high-
mounted stop light (CHMSL).
• Brake light switch input is also used for
cruise control, ABS, and traction control
systems.
 LED Lights
• LED and neon lights used for some brake,
tail, and turn signal lights.
• LED and neon illuminate faster, consume
less power, and last longer than incandescent
lights.
• Laser light carried by fiber optic cable
provides increased power savings.
 Adaptive Brake Lights
• Can operate under standard illumination
during normal braking.
• Under intense braking or ABS intervention,
additional lights are lit.
• Increases the size of brake lights.
 Backup Lights
• Operate when transmission is placed in
reverse.
• May share fuse with turn signal system.
• Usually part of transmission range switch
on automatic transmissions.
• Separate switch on manual transmissions.
Basic Lighting System Diagnosis

• Bulbs are quickly checked with ohmmeter

or powered test light.
• Inspect for corroded or loose wiring.
• Many exterior lights are exposed to climate
and weather conditions that can damage
wiring and sockets.
 Bulb Replacement
• Make sure the replacement is the correct
bulb.
• Inspect the bulb socket.
• Often removal of light assembly is
necessary.
• Do not remove lenses from light assemblies.