Circuit/System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Suzuki XL7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The vehicle headlamps are controlled by the body control module (BCM) based on inputs from the headlamp switch and the turn signal/multifunction switch. The headlamp switch has four positions: Off, Auto, Park, and Headlamps. The default headlamp switch position is Auto, in which the BCM uses the ambient light sensor to determine when headlamps are needed. The Off portion of the headlamp switch is a momentary switch which overrides the automatic headlamps and will turn off the vehicle headlamps. When in the Off position, the headlamp switch grounds the headlamp switch headlamps off signal circuit, prompting the BCM to turn off the headlamps. The Park position of the headlamp switch will only illuminate the vehicle parking lamps. The Headlamp position of the headlamp switch will illuminate both the parking lamps, as well has the headlamps. With the headlamp switch in the Headlamp position, the headlamp switch headlamps on signal circuit is grounded, prompting the BCM to turn on the headlamps, regardless of other factors such as ambient light.

The headlamp high beams are controlled through the flash to pass switch and the headlamp dimmer switch, both located in the turn signal/multifunction switch. The flash to pass switch is a momentary type switch, designed to illuminate the high beams as long as the switch is held. With the switch closed, the flash to pass switch signal circuit is grounded, prompting the BCM to turn on the high beam lamps. The headlamp dimmer switch allows the operator to select between full time high or low beam operation. Unlike the flash to pass switch, it is not a momentary switch. When the headlamp dimmer switch is in the high beam position, the headlamp dimmer switch high beam signal circuit is grounded. This prompts the BCM to turn on the high beam lamps.

The BCM controls the headlamps based on the inputs explained above. When a low beam request is received, the BCM grounds the headlamp low beam relay control circuit. This energizes the coil in the LO BEAM PCB Relay, causing the relay switch to close. This then applies B+ to both low beam headlamps through the LT LO BEAM and RT LO BEAM fuses, illuminating the low beam headlamps. When a high beam request is received, the BCM grounds the headlamp high beam relay control circuit. This energizes the coil in the HIGH BEAM PCB Relay, causing the relay switch to close. This then applies B+ through both HI BEAM fuses and the high beam headlamp supply voltage circuits, illuminating the high beam headlamps.