Lexus ES300 (1997 year). Manual - part 174

N12998

Clockwise

Counterclockwise

Z14888

Wire Harness Side

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

h–8–1–D

–

BODY ELECTRICAL

HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT SYSTEM

BE–31

1415

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

18.

INSPECT LIGHT–OFF CONDITION

(a)

Turn the ignition switch ON.

(b)

Gradually cover the top of the sensor.
Lights auto ON:

(c)

Verify that the lights will go out when light control switch
position is OFF or the area surrounding the sensor gets
bright or open the driver’s door while the ignition switch is
OFF.

19.

INSPECT LIGHTS–ON CONDITION

(a)

Open the driver’s door while the ignition switch is OFF.

(b)

Turn the light control switch to AUTO leaving the door
open and cover the top of the sensor, and verify that the
lights go on when the ignition switch is turned ON.

20.

ADJUST AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL SENSOR

(a)

Adjustment of the light control is performed by turning the
sensitivity knob on the sensor.

(b)

This will determine at what light condition the automatic
control will take place.

If response is too quick, turn the knob counterclock-
wise.

If response is too slow, turn the knob clockwise.

21.

Connector disconnected:
INSPECT SENSOR CIRCUIT

Disconnect the connector from the sensor and inspect the con-
nector on the wire harness side, as shown in the chart.

Tester connection

Condition

Specified condition

3 – Ground

Door courtesy switch OFF

No continuity

3 – Ground

Door courtesy switch ON

Continuity

5 – Ground

Light control switch OFF, TAIL or AUTO

No continuity

5 – Ground

Light control switch HEAD

Continuity

6 – Ground

Light control switch OFF, TAIL or HEAD

No continuity

6 – Ground

Light control switch AUTO

Continuity

7 – Ground

Light Control Switch OFF or AUTO

No continuity

7 – Ground

Light Control Switch TAIL or HEAD

Continuity

N12999

From Back Side

1

3

5

6

8

BE–32

–

BODY ELECTRICAL

HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT SYSTEM

1416

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

Tester connection

Condition

Specified condition

1 – Ground

Ignition switch position LOCK or ACC

No voltage

1 – Ground

Ignition switch position ON

Battery positive voltage

2 – Ground

Constant

Battery positive voltage

If circuit is as specified, perform the inspection on the following
page.
If the circuit is not as specified, inspect the circuit connected to
other parts.
22.

Connector connected:
INSPECT SENSOR CIRCUIT

Connect the wire harness side connector to the sensor and in-
spect wire harness side connector from the back side.
HINT:

Ignition switch ON.

Light control switch AUTO.

Vehicle’s surroundings are bright.

Tester connection

Condition

Specified condition

1 – Ground

Ignition switch position ON

10 V or more

1 – Ground

Ignition switch position OFF

1 V or less

3 – Ground

Door courtesy switch ON

1 V or less

3 – Ground

Door courtesy switch OFF

9 V or more

5 – Ground

Vehicle’s surroundings are dark

1.8 V or less

5 – Ground

Dimmer switch position Flash

0.3 V or less

6 – Ground

Vehicle’s surroundings are dark

1.5 V or less

8 – Ground

Vehicle is under the direct sun light.

(Sensor is not covered)

3.7 V or more

8 – Ground

Vehicle’s surroundings are dim.

(Sensor is covered and taillights are ON)

1.32 

∼

 2.32 V

8 – Ground

Vehicle’s surroundings are dark.

(Sensor is covered and headlights are ON)

0.42 V

If circuit is as specified, try replacing the sensor with a new one.
If the circuit is not as specified, inspect the circuit connected to
other parts.

BE04Z–02

N21568

Adjusting Screw A

Adjusting Nut C

Adjusting Screw B

BE6182

Beam Angle Gauge

(Vertical Direction)

OK

OK

OK

Bubble

Beam is

Upward

Front

Beam is
Downward

–

BODY ELECTRICAL

HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT SYSTEM

BE–33

1417

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

ADJUSTMENT

1.

ADJUSTING HEADLIGHT AIM ONLY

(a)

Put the vehicle in below conditions.

Make sure the body around the headlight is not de-
formed.

Park the vehicle on a level spot.

The driver gets into the driver’s seat and puts the
vehicle in a state ready for driving (with a full tank).

Bounce the vehicle several times.

(b)

Adjust the headlight in vertical direction.

If the bubble is outside the acceptable range of the beam angle
gauge, adjust it using adjusting screw A.

N21567

Beam Angle Gauge

(Horizontal Direction)

Front

BE6182

Beam Angle Gauge

(Vertical Direction)

OK

OK

OK

Bubble

Beam is

Upward

Front

Beam is
Downward

N21567

Beam Angle Gauge

(Horizontal Direction)

Front

BE–34

–

BODY ELECTRICAL

HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT SYSTEM

1418

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

(c)

Adjust the headlight in horizontal direction.

If the ”0” moves away from the mark beyond the acceptable
range, adjust the ”0” back to the mark using adjusting screw B.

2.

REPLACING HEADLIGHT

(a)

Replace the headlight.

(b)

Put the vehicle in below conditions.

Make sure the body around the headlight is not de-
formed.

Park the vehicle on a level spot.

The driver gets into the driver’s seat and puts the
vehicle in a state ready for driving (with a full tank).

Bounce the vehicle several times.

(c)

Adjust the headlight in vertical direction.
(1)

Using adjusting screw A, adjust the headlight aim to
within the specifications.

(2)

Make sure that the gauge bubble is within the ac-
ceptable range.

HINT:
If the gauge bubble is outside the acceptable range, check that
the vehecle is parked on a level place.
Readjust the headlight aim after parking the vehicle on a level
place.
(d)

Adjust the headlight in horizontal direction.
(1)

Using adjusting screw B, adjust the headlight aim to
within the specifications.

(2)

Using adjusting nut C, adjust the ”0” back to the
mark.

3.

ADJUST SPIRAL CABLE
(See page 

SR–16

)