DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
For a detailed description of the exterior lighting system and operation, refer to the relevant description and operation section of the workshop manual. REFER to: Exterior Lighting (Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).
INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
WARNING: The laser supplementary high beam emits highly concentrated visible light which can cause irritation or damage to the retina in the back of the eye. The laser supplementary high beam modules used in these headlights are classified by legislation as Class 2M light-emitting diodes. Do not look directly into the headlights or other light sources when low or high beam functions are operating.
CAUTION: Diagnosis by substitution from a donor vehicle is NOT acceptable. Substitution of control modules does not guarantee confirmation of a fault and may also cause additional faults in the vehicle being checked and/or the donor vehicle.
NOTES:
Visual Inspection
SYMPTOM CHART
LASER SUPPLEMENTARY HIGH BEAM SYMPTOM CHART
PINPOINT TESTS
PINPOINT TEST A : LASER SUPPLEMENTARY HIGH BEAM TESTS
PINPOINT TEST B : LASER SUPPLEMENTARY HIGH BEAM TESTS
FRONT AND REAR LAMP CONDENSATION
Some customers may complain of condensation/misting/fogging inside the exterior lamps. Condensation/misting /fogging is a natural phenomenon which can occur under wet and/or humid atmospheric conditions. It is triggered by temperature differences between the inside and outside of the lamp unit. Exterior lights have vents and are not completely closed to the environment, therefore replacing the light unit will not correct this symptom. With the introduction of clear plastic lenses, condensation is likely to be more noticeable but does not affect the performance of the lamp. Condensation will clear with regular use of the lights under warmer and drier atmospheric conditions
A lamp that exhibits condensation should be evaluated under warm (20ºC +- 5ºC) and dry conditions (50% RH +- 5% RH) with all functions operating for a minimum of 60 minutes for LED lamps or 30 minutes for all other lamps. If the condensation improves (i.e.: it starts to clear, but has not necessarily completely cleared) during this time, it indicates that the lamp is functioning as normal . This means the lamp integrity has NOT been breached and the lamp must NOT be replaced
CAUTION: Where appropriate, make sure that bulb covers are correctly installed and make sure that all breathers (tubes or weathershield patches) are free from dirt/debris and installed correctly (contamination or poor fitting can all contribute to the formation of condensation). If any of these are determined to be the cause of the condensation, measures should be taken to dry out the lamps and to make sure that the bulb covers /breathers are installed correctly
NOTES:
Condensation or moisture can be more noticeable during the months of spring and autumn when there is a likelihood of a higher moisture content in the air. It can occur when there is a temperature difference on either side of the lens surface. This can often be seen in the evening and morning sunshine or when cold water makes contact with a warm lamp lens. When a lamp is warmed unevenly by the sunshine, the surface area in direct sunlight will be approximately 10ºC higher than the remainder of the lamp. When warm air circulates within the lamp and makes contact with the colder surfaces, moisture can appear on the lens as water condenses out of the warmer air. Condensation may occur when washing a vehicle with cold water on a warm day or when the lamps are warm and vice versa. This is the same phenomena as with the formation of dew on the surface of a glass window pane LED lamps project less heat towards the clear lens and therefore condensation can occur and can take longer to clear than in other types of lamps
The following process describes the formation and clearance of condensation:
Shown below are examples of normal exterior lamp condensation. This would NOT be covered by warranty and the lamp(s) must not be replaced
In the photograph shown below, note the standing water within the lamp, this is not acceptable and clearly shows a water ingress related fault with the lamp