Headlamp levelling warning light

[johnmacdonald]

Anyone out there had the auto headlamp warning light glowing on their Hawkeye and if so, any simple cure or is it a potentially expensive Subaru visit? I guess there is no simple way to disconnect the warning light - there seems to be no issues with headlamp adjustment being out!

John

[The Don]

AFAIK the Hawkeye WRX comes with self levelling headlights and the control unit may need resetting or one of the sensors may be damaged.

Info for MY06/07(updated)........but may be of help

[johnmacdonald]

Thanks for that Don. Appears that I will need to visit my Subaru dealer. More expense!! If it's not sorted, I believe that under new MOT rules, it will be a fail...

John

[jebus82]

i had it when i first got mine, was 2 year old, the switches were fooked. only took them an hour to sort it but i cant advise on price as they were replaced under warranty.

[mark1234]

if you got a multimeter you can diagnose it your self

[The Don]

if you got a multimeter you can diagnose it your self

Now that is really helpful - some explanation would be good

[mark1234]

it's a 3 wire sensor so you got a 5v feed, an earth, and a signal wire so make sure you have the feed and earth and then move the probe from the 5v feed to the signal wire and then move the arm on the sensor, you should get a varying voltage as you move the arm up and down. if you don't then that sensor is u/s and will need replacing but do this for both sensors so you can be certain what one has gone, also check the pins in the plug and the sensor as they are known for leaking water in and corroding away.

a faulty sensor or corroded pins are the only issues i ever came across when diagnosing the levelling issue but if both sensors move and vary the voltage then your looking at a wiring issues between the sensor and the ecu for the levelling or a faulty ecu but i never came across that it was always a sensor.

[johnmacdonald]

it's a 3 wire sensor so you got a 5v feed, an earth, and a signal wire so make sure you have the feed and earth and then move the probe from the 5v feed to the signal wire and then move the arm on the sensor, you should get a varying voltage as you move the arm up and down. if you don't then that sensor is u/s and will need replacing but do this for both sensors so you can be certain what one has gone, also check the pins in the plug and the sensor as they are known for leaking water in and corroding away.

a faulty sensor or corroded pins are the only issues i ever came across when diagnosing the levelling issue but if both sensors move and vary the voltage then your looking at a wiring issues between the sensor and the ecu for the levelling or a faulty ecu but i never came across that it was always a sensor.

Thanks very much for that Mark. Do you know where the front sensor is located please on a Hawkeye? The WRX is being serviced by an independent specialist next week and I would very much like him to have a go, rather than face Subaru dealer bills. From an earlier post, I believe that the other sensor is above the headlining and I guess that one is not prone to corrosion.

John

[mark1234]

err no it's not! both sensors are located on the suspension on the drivers side of the car you can't miss them

[johnmacdonald]

err no it's not! both sensors are located on the suspension on the drivers side of the car you can't miss them

Fantastic! I guess my man possesses a multimeter and I will let you know the outcome - you may have saved me some serious money, but no doubt if I need a new sensor(s), Subaru price will be rediculous, as always!!

[Elcidio]

Hi. Just wondered whether this proceedure applies to a Subaru Forester diesel. 2008

[The Don]

33 minutes ago, Elcidio said:

Hi. Just wondered whether this proceedure applies to a Subaru Forester diesel. 2008

MY08 Forester procedure

[Elcidio]

Thanks, The Don. Much appreciated.

[cleave94]

Hi i have in impreza GR head lights have stopped levelling and headlight washers  have stopped could somthing like this help ? thanks 

[The Don]

Have you checked the fuses? - as both systems have a common fuse - fuse board (drivers right knee) no18

[Tuppa]

Hi again i have a 2008 Outback and i have problems to canged the front headlight sensor (used) and the light went off for 3 days then back on. Now its time for inspection so i put a new fornt sensor on but the light is still on and in Sweden they fail inspection if the light is on. Tryed the headlight switch on off thing but never got any light to blink to confirm or. Any ideas? 

[The Don]

If you've fitted a used replacement sensor - do you know it's still good??

Below is the procedure from the MY08 UK/European Legacy Outback Service Manual.

[Tuppa]

Found the problem i got a old pin stuck in the connector so the new pin was bent and broke when i tryed to fix it. Fixed the problem temporary by push the stuck pin in the connector and used a ziptie to force connector together and the light went off so i can get the inspection done now. Orderd new parts for 30$ to get a permanent fix. Sry for the bad english.

and thx for the help