SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

headlight leveling system

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Old 12-06-09, 04:16 PM
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dbronw000a
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Default headlight leveling system

Just had to replace the sensors for the automatic headlight leveling system at a cost of over $1,100. No warranty coverage since it was corrosion. The car has always been garaged and it only has 25,000 miles.

Is this a common problem? Will Lexus offset any of the cost if so? Are there cheaper solutions if it happens again?
Old 12-06-09, 04:51 PM
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that's the first time i've seen it posted. so i'd say it's pretty rare. i doubt lexus will pay anything towards it.
Old 12-07-09, 08:26 AM
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laptop4dug
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Dbronw00a - My dealer told me that both of my leveling sensors are bad too, but I have not replaced them yet (2004 with 32,000 miles). I have seen several posts here with regards to the headlight warning light being illuminated (occasionally), so probably a lot more have this problem then what is currently known. I found the sensors for $330.00 each (plus shipping ~ $10.00) compared to $447.30 each at my dealer. How much did they change you for the labor? I wonder if this repair can be a DIY????
Old 12-07-09, 09:24 AM
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tromly
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Welcome to CL, what year is your car, any warranty remaining??
Old 12-07-09, 01:53 PM
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Harold57
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Originally Posted by laptop4dug
Dbronw00a - My dealer told me that both of my leveling sensors are bad too, but I have not replaced them yet (2004 with 32,000 miles). I have seen several posts here with regards to the headlight warning light being illuminated (occasionally), so probably a lot more have this problem then what is currently known. I found the sensors for $330.00 each (plus shipping ~ $10.00) compared to $447.30 each at my dealer. How much did they change you for the labor? I wonder if this repair can be a DIY????
Any repair can be DIY. It depends on the complexity of the repair and the skills of the technician.
Old 12-07-09, 03:10 PM
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Solman
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How can you tell if they are bad-where is the warning light? Is that the only reason the light would be on?
Old 12-08-09, 04:41 AM
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laptop4dug
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Here's a few other reports of this problem:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...ing-light.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...ing-light.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...t-working.html
Old 12-14-09, 06:48 PM
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I had a headlight levelling system warning light last year. It was fixed by the dealer under CPO warranty with no trouble at all.
Old 11-21-10, 05:48 PM
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VVTiBob
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While I have not experience this problem, this was a very nice write-up on the issue.
Old 11-26-10, 11:13 PM
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scooby113
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hey i have that problem now an the dealer wants a arm an a leg to replace can you refer me to where your getting them at that price of $330 pm me please!!!
Old 11-27-10, 08:56 AM
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alamberth
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I had a similar problem over the summer with my RX; ended up finding out that it shares the same sensor with other models...the only differences (that I can tell) are the mounting brackets. Basically it's a poorly designed electronic part that lets water and other foreign substances in and corrodes the guts of the sensor - great living in Chicago with the winters full of road salt!

Needless to say I found a used one on eBay for $100 or so from a scrapped ES in Texas, pulled the sensor, popped it into the bracket from the RX and it worked! (I should note, I caulked the hell out of the "new" one to try and preserve it.)

I was thinking of getting under the SC and LS to clean/check and possibly caulk those - basically a maintenance thing - to try and save those from becoming toast. I was lucky the RX only had one sensor, the SC has 2 and the LS has 4...this could get expensive quick!

Hope that helps a little anyway but if anyone has any ideas how keep these sensors clean and dry let me know.
Attached Thumbnails headlight leveling system-075.jpg   headlight leveling system-076.jpg  
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