3360695 - E2011 DIPPED HEADLAMPS - Description (Xenon Gas headlamps)
Description
The vehicle is equipped with two GAS DISCHARGE
headlamps.The electronic circuitry in each of the
two headlamps switches the software on and off at the appropriate
times and, in accordance with international regulations, the gas
discharge headlamps.The system consists of an ignition system
and ballast for each lamp which are activated when the dipped headlamps
function is requested.The left headlamp is the Master control
unit while the right acts as a Slave unit.The master receives the command for the
dipped headlamps and the vehicle speed from the potentiometers on
the wheel axles. According to the input, the switching on of the
left front headlamp (dipped headlamps) is controlled and likewise
that of the right headlamp via the serial line.The dipped/main beam switching is achieved
by means of a motor controlled by the electronic circuitry for each
headlamp.The dipped beam headlamps are switched on
through the steering column switch by turning the specific ring
to the position after the side lights.A special relay - in the underdashboard
control unit - controls the switching on of the dipped headamps
via two lines protected by special fuses.The relay for switching on the dipped headlamps
is managed by the Body Computer: the energizing of the relay is
activated by the go ahead signals with the ignition key in the ON position
(INT) and by the specific signal from the steering column switch
unit.The Body Computer also manages the 'dipped
headlampa maintenence' function: when the main beam headlamps are
on, the Body Computer keeps the dipped headlamps on.If the dipped headlamps and the main beam
headlamps are already on and the fog lights are switched on, then
the dipped headlamps are switched off. Similarly, if the dipped headlamps and the
fog lights are on and main beam headlamps are switched on, then
the dipped headlamps are switched off.In other words, with the main beam headlamps
and the fog lights on, the dipped headlamps are always switched
off.The dipped headlamps are activated automatically,
via the dusk sensor, if the AUTO function is set on the steering
column switch unit.The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted
via the MODE buttons in the left panel.The 'Follow me home' function is designed
to keep the dipped headlamps and the side lights on after the engine
has been switched off (key in OFF position) for a time of 30 seconds
or multiples thereof.Keeping the dipped headlamps on is signalled
by the side lights warning light in the instrument panel remaining
on.The funciton is switched on by operating
the flasher lever within 2 minutes: each time the lever is operated
the time the lights remain on increases by 30 seconds up to a maximum of
210 secs.Operating the flasher lever for longer than
2 seconds switches the function off; the function is also switched
off if the ignition key is turned to the ON position.