Introduction - exterior lighting
- Make
- Alfa Romeo
- Model
- GT Factory Service Manual
- Year
- 2003–2010
- Section
- Exterior lighting › Introduction - exterior lighting
INTRODUCTION - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOCATION OF COMPONENTS ON VEHICLE
The vehicle components and their location are illustrated below.
1 - Right front light cluster
2 - Left front light cluster
3 - Left front direction indicator
4 - Right front direction indicator
5 - Right rear light cluster
6 - Left rear light cluster
7 - Third brake light
8 - No. plate lights
9 - Rear fog lamp
10 - Reversing light
COMPOSITION
The vehicle''s exterior lighting system has been designed with two aims in mind:
- to ensure maximum efficiency in terms of complying with international regulations which define the illumination specifications of the various components
- to blend in with the design of the vehicle so that the various components reflect the image.
REAR LIGHT CLUSTER
The vehicle''s exterior lighting system has been designed with two aims in mind:
- Ensuring maximum efficiency in terms of complying with international regulations which define the illumination specifications of the various components
- to blend with the design of the vehicle so that the various components enhance the overall image.
- The exterior aesthetic appearance is polychromatic in line with the vehicle. The light cluster on the fixed section contains the following signals:
- Red incoroporated side light and brake light.
- Orange direction indicator and reflector grouped together.
The following are contained in the two small units incorporated in the rear bumper:
- 1 red coloured (left) rear fog lamp
- 1 white coloured (right) reversing light
Light cluster on fixed section
A - Direction indicator: 12V - 21W H21 halogen bulb
B - Side light and brake light: 12V - 21W bilux bulb (P21W-5W)
CONNECTOR C PIN OUT
1 - Direction indicator
2 - Earth
CONNECTOR D PIN-OUT
1 - Earth
2 - Brake light
3 - Side light
Light clusters in bumper
A - Rear fog lamp: 12V - 21W bulb
B - Reversing light: 12V - 21W bulb
C - Number plate light: 12V - 5W all glass bulb
D - Number plate light: 12V - 5W all glass bulb
No. plate light
The no. plate light is illustrated below.
1 - Casing
2 - Lens cover
3 - Spring
4 - Bulb holder casing
5 - Contact
6 - Seal
7 - All glass bulb 12V - 5W
8 - Connector housing
The number plate light function is achieved by means of two single bulb lights fitted by a metal spring.
Each light has an all glass 12V - 5W bulb which is replaced by removing the light from the trim and the bulb holder from the number plate light.
FRONT DIRECTION INDICATORS
Below is an illustration of the front direction indicators.
1 - Lit surface smoked lens cover
2 - Bumper grille
3 - Supply terminal
4 - Earth terminal
5 - Casing
6 - Left front direction indicator 12V - 21W
7 - Attachment spring
8 - Screen
9 - O-Ring
10 - Bulb holder
11 - Bulb holder cap
Use a screwdriver when replacing the front direction indicator bulb applying leverage at the point shown by the arrow to extract the complete lens cover outwards. This operation should be carried out very carefully in order not to damage the paintwork. Place a cloth between the screwdriver and the actual bodywork.
SIDE DIRECTION INDICATOR
The side direction indicator is illustrated below.
1 - Grey casing
2 - Orange lens cover
3 - Bulb 12V - 5W
4 - Bulb holder
5 - Contact terminal
6 - O-Ring
7 - Prism
8 - Fastening spring
To replace the small bulb, push the lens cover, by hand, in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the vehicle in order to compress the fastening spring (8). Release the front section and extract the unit. Rotate the bulb holder in an anti-clockwise direction and extract it from the lens cover.
ADDITIONAL BRAKE LIGHT
The additional brake light function is achieved through a multi-bulb lamp and light beam coming out of the rearscreen serigraphy, fitted on the upper part of the tailgate trim which has a luminous surface.
1 - All glass bulb 12V - 2.3 W
2 - Lens cover (red)
3 - Parabola body (black)
4 - Connector
5 - Bulb holder cover (black)
6 - Bulb attachment housing (2-way)
The casing is made of black bayblend, it contains the bulb holder which is in one piece and is fastened to the actual casing. The internal current carrier tracks are made from brass with a copper covering and, with the circuit activated, supply 10 small all glass type 12V - 2.3W bulbs. The light cluster has two housings for fastening to the tailgate. The red coloured acrylate lens cover is fitted to the light cluster casing and its shape and outline give a masked effect with the light off if viewed from outside the vehicle.
The bulbs can be changed, with the light cluster fitted, through the service cover by opening the tailgate.
Fitting brake lights (left/right)
The BRAKE switch has three functional stages:
- (1a) first condition: with the pedal released the pins (1 and 3) are closed:
- (2a) second condition: during the travel of the switch there is an intermediate position in which the pins (1 and 3) and (2 and 4) are simultaneously closed;
- (3a) third condition: with the pedal depressed the pins (2 and 4) are closed.
Brake light switch PIN-OUT
1 - From fuse F35 dashboard junction unit: INT ignition controlled supply
2 - From fuse F37 dashboard junction unit: INT ignition controlled supply)
3 - To the ABS for VDC, to the i.e. control unit for Cruise
4 - To the Body Computer for brake lights, Selespeed control unit, ABS control unit and i.e. control unit
The brake lights function is activated with the ignition key in the ON position (INT)
Position of switch 1 - 3 normally closed (n.c.) with pedal released
Position of switch 2 - 4 normally open (n.a.) with pedal released
The body computer (NBC) is capable of recognizing the following irregularities:
- Open circuit (bulb missing or wiring broken) which can be diagnosed if there is no command
- Short circuit to earth (bulb short circuited or wiring short circuited to GND)
- Short circuit to +VB (wiring short circuited to Vbatt)
The continuity of the fuse protecting the bulbs is also checked.
Brake lights position check
The diagram below illustrates the position of the brake lights.
A - Switch
B - Bracket (seen from Y housing detail)
C - Load application point
D - Retaining tooth
1 - Press the brake pedal and fit the brake lights switch (A) on the bracket (B).
2 - Position the switch on the bracket rotating it about 90° in an anti-clockwise direction until you hear the retaining tooth D click which means it is attached to the fitting on the bracket B.
3 - Release the brake pedal and pull it backwards with a load applied at point C of 4 ± 20% daN so that the brake servo push rod is in the end of travel position (rest position) and the button is in the correct position in relation to the switch casing.
this operation must be conducted carefully because if the switch is not correctly retracted it could keep the brake pedal in an advanced position with the risk of residual torque at the wheels which could cause the brakes to lock.
4 - Move the brake pedal through its full travel to allow the switch A to bed in.
5 - Connect the electrical connection.
6 - Check that the brake lights switch is correctly adjusted in the following conditions: brake lights off with brake pedal released in rest position and pedal capable of completing its entire return travel allowed by the brake servo without being prevented by the switch.
STRUCTURE OF FRONT LIGHT CLUSTER (HEADLAMPS AND FOG LIGHTS)
This unit consists of:
1 - Main beam headlamp
2 - Concealed source side light
3 - Dipped headlamp with dimmer
4 - Fog light with dimmer
5 - Bevel pinion / adjustment screw for headlamp horizontal axis
6 - Bevel pinion / adjustment screw for headlamp vertical axis
7 - Lens cover
8 - Headlamp casing
The front light cluster is constructed using a fixed, transparent lens reflection technology for all functions (side light, dipped headlamp, main beam headlamp and fog light).
The casing is made from grey coloured polypropylene and has three points with metal inserts to guarantee the torque tightening on the metal crossmember. It contains two labyrinths in the lower part and a vent in the upper part which allow effective ventilation and drainage of condensation. It contains special housings where the parabolas and the vertical and horizontal adjustment units with direct systems without idlers are mounted. The unit incoroporates an automatic type electric corrector (electric motor) for controlling the headlamp alignment with the controls in the dashboard. The reflecting parabolas are made from a metallic, heat resistant material and are covered in clear paint which has a protective function.
There are 3 mm cylindrical prisms on the lower parts of the reflector to reduce the static light. There are housings in the parabolas for the bulb holders and the retaining springs.
Bulbs present:
- 1 - H7 halogen for main beam headlamps 12V-55W
- 2 - All glass for the side lights 12V-5W
- 3 - H7 halogen for the dipped headlamps 12V-55W
- 4 - H1 halogen for the fog lights 12V-55W
There is a dimmer in front of the dipped headlamp and fog light bulb to prevent direct and static rays.
The side light is the concealed source type with the reflection as even as possible throughout the reflector.
The (glass) lens cover is made from colourless, lacquered, polycarbonate which has undergone scratch-resistance treatment; it is fastened to the casing by means of butyl adhesive to ensure that it is impervious to water. It has the task of guaranteeing even, standardized light without any light escaping outside of the designated areas.
Lastly, there are two openings with cover at the rear; one for access to the fog light, the other for access to the other three bulbs (side light, main beam headlamp, dipped headlamp); the cover for the fog light is fastened by an attachment/release mechanism. The other cover is fastened by two springs and has a seal.
Front light cluster
Rear view.
A/B/C - Plastic tabs with metal bushes for fixing headlamp
D - Bevel pinion/adjustment screw for headlamp vertical axis
E - Bevel pinion/adjustment screw for headlamp horizontal axis
F - Cover and seal for fog light housing
G - Clips for fastening cover with seal
H/L - Labyrinth openings for draining condensation
I - 10-way connector for headlamp supply
M - Alignment motor (incoroporated in light cluster)
O - Bodyshell support point
PIN OUT
1 - Earth connection for headlamps
2 - Light cluster alignment earth connection
3 - Left/right fog lights control (12V - 55W)
4 - Side lights control (12V - 5W) _ 5 - Main beam headlamps control (12V - 55W) _ 6 - Dipped headlamps control (12V - 55W) _ 7 - Headlamp alignment correction supply _ 8 - Light beam vertical correction signal - There is a kit for the tab (C) to replace it if is broken. If tabs (A-B) are broken, then the light cluster is changed.
ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED HEADLAMP ALIGNMENT
The diagram below shows the location of the components.
1 - Front light cluster (with headlamp alignment motor incorporated)
2 - Bevel pinion/adjustment screw for headlamp vertical axis
3 - Bevel pinion/adjustment screw for headlamp horizontal axis
4 - Headlamp positino display area on milometer display
5 - Milometer display in instrument panel (NQS)
6 - Adjustment button in left panel from position 3-2-1-0
7 - Adjustment button in left panel from position 0-1-2-3
8 - MODE functions and headlamp alignment control panel
Operation and adjustment (headlamp alignment)
The headlamp alignment adjustment device is designed to correctly position the dipped headlamp light beam, in a vertical direction, irrespective of the load on the axles.
When the ignition key is turned to the ON position, the instrument panel (NQS) does not display either the position (0, 1, 2, 3) or the symbol until the dipped headlamps are activates (lights on).
The condition that appears is the last value memorized when the key was turned from ON to OFF.
When the key is turned ON and the dipped headlamps are on, when the two buttons (5) and (6) in the panel (7) - driver''s side to the side of the front air vent - are pressed, it is possible to alter the inclination/orientation of the light cluster in 4 standard positions. The value of the positions is memorized and shown in the milometer (5) display together with the symbol in the instrument panel (NQS).
In practice, when the instrument panel connector receives the increase signal (CAF +) or descrease signal (CAF -) from the driver''s side panel (7) buttons (5) and (6), it checks, via a control and adjustment module, whether there is a positive supply for the dipped headlamps coming from fuse F13 of the dashboard control unit (from relay T01); if this is the case, it produces and sends an adjustment signal to the headlamp alignment motors. The instrument panel (NQS) electronic circuitry output signal has a maximum voltage value for position (0) and decreases for the subsequent positions (1- 2- 3) with an identification level which allows the actuator incorporated in the light cluster to be operated to move the parabola.
WARNING:
- It is not possible to carry out any adjustments with the ignition switched OFF.
- The prolonged operation of the buttons (5) and (6) does not lead to a gradual adjustment.
- Disconnecting the battery or resetting the system causes the value memorized to be lost and a value predefined by the manufacturer, in this case zero (0) to be assumed (predefined = default = standard).
Headlamp alignment position according to vehicle load
The following loads correspond to the four positions:
- (0) - 1 person (driver), 2 persons (in the front seats)
- (1) - 5 persons, 2 persons (in the front seats), 3 persons (in the rear seats)
- (2) - 5 persons plus maximum load
- (3) - 1 person (driver) plus maximum permissible load in luggage compartment without backrest folded over
The maximum load refers to: the maximum permissible load on the rear axle or: the total permissible load for the vehicle. The weight of a person is considered to be 75 kg.
Headlamp alignment pin-out
The pin-out and the wiring diagram are illustrated below:
A - MODE function control panel
1 - Km zeroing button
2 - Headlamp alignment control
3 - Clock/brightness adjustment controls
B - View of connector
C - Wiring diagram
1 - Controls light +15
2 - Earth
3 - N.C.
4 - Headlamp alignment control
5 - N.C.
6 - MODE control
7 - KM ZEROING control
8 - N.C.
Headlamp alignment
Each light cluster, depending on its function, is distinguished by one of the following markings on the glass:
- C or HC: light cluster for emitting dipped beam
- R or HR: light cluster for emitting full beam
- CR or HCR: light cluster for emitting both dipped beam and full beam
- B or HB: front fog light
Preparation of the vehicle
Position the vehicle ''empty'', with tyres inflated to the full load pressure and with a person in the driver''s seat (the weight of a person is considered to be 75 kg), on a flat, horizontal surface, with the reference centre of the headlamps 10 m from the screen. The vehicle should have all supplies (fuel, water, oil) and be equipped with all accessories and tools.
Screen
This should consists of an opaque surface on which the following lines have been traced:
- V-V: verticala, coresponding to the trace of the plane of symmetry of the vehicle;
- C-C: traces of the vertical planes passing through the reference centres of the light clusters C-CR-HC-HCR;
- Hc-Hc: horizontal corresponding to the height from the ground of the reference centres for the light clusters C-CR-HC-HCR;
- Ac-Ac: horizontal 13.6 cm below Hc-Hc (value for new vehicles corresponding to a lowering of 1.36%)
The values given are valid for a screen positioned 10 m away from the light cluster. If the screen has to be positioned closer, then these figures should be reduced proportionally (for example: for a screen half the distance away, the figures should be halved). A vehicle should be considered as run in if it has completed about the mileage for the first service.
1 - Bevel pinion/adjustment screw for headlamp horizontal axis
2 - Bevel pinion/adjustmtne screw for headlamp vertical axis
Alway start with the horizontal adjustment of the headlamps and then move on to the vertical adjustment. Finer operation than the previous one.
Orientation
Carry out the adjustment of these light clusters on the dipped beam by adjusting the height from the ground for the demarcation line between the area lit up and the dark area and the position of the point where the horizontal section crosses the inclined part of the demarcation line for both the left and right light clusters.
Before proceeding with the adjustment, place the headlamp alignment corrector (if fitted) in position ''0''.
To adjust, proceed as follows:
- (I) Horizontal adjustment: act on the horizontal adjustment device 1 for the light cluster so that the point where the two horizontal and inclined demarcation lines cross over coincide with the point where lines C - C and Ac - Ac cross over on the screen. The maximum permissible movement of the vehicle towards the outside of the screen is 175 mm max (1°).
- (II) Vertical adjustment: act on the vertical adjustment screw for the light cluster so that the horizontal section of the demarcation line between the area which is dark and the area which is lit up by the luminous beam coincides with the line Ac - Ac on the screen.
Rapid adjustment (with photometric equipment)
It is possible to use optic devices to speed up the operations of adjusting the light clusters which reproduce the features on a screen 10 m away. The reference lines conforming to the values for the different vehicles must be traced on each screen for these devices according to the reproduction scale for the actual device.
TYPE OF BULBS FITTED
The diagram below shows the types of bulbs fitted.
A - All glass bulbs. (12V-2,3W) (12V-5W) They are a press-fit. Pull them to extract them.
B - Bayonet fitting bulbs (12V-21W) (12V-5W) (12V - 21/5W) To extract them from the bulb holder: press the bulb, rotate it in an anti-clockwise direction, then extract it.
C - Cylindrical bulbs. (12V-10W) (12V-5W) To extract them, release them from the contacts.
D-E - Halogen bulbs. (12V-55W H7) (12V-55W H1) To remove the bulb, release the spring fastening the actual bulb to the housing.
When handling halogen bulbs, only touch the metal part. Touching the transparent part of the bulb with your fingers reduces the intensity of the light given off by the bulb and can also adversely affect the life of the actual bulb. In the case of accidental contact, clean the bulb with a cloth soaked in alcohol and leave it to dry.
Halogen bulbs contain pressurized gas; if they break, fragments of glass may be projected.
Bulbs which are not working properly should be replaced with ones of the same type and rating. After this operation, check the headlamp alignment.
SPECIFCATIONS
GAS DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS
Introduction
The lights play an important role among the vehicle''s active safety systems.
The need to improve the performance of current systems, based on halogen lamps, in terms of light energy emitted, spectral range and bulb duration has led to the technological development of gas discharge headlamps and the relevant devices which permit their operation on the vehicle.
Three main advantages have resulted from the development of this technology:
- more efficient brightness permits a reduction in electrical energy when in steady state;
- the high light emission allows the size of the lights cluster to be reduced (particularly the height) offering greater freedom of design of the front;
- on average, the life is double that of a halogen bulb.
The gas discharge headlamp technology has led to the development of a set of devices which, in short, comprise:
- xenon bulb;
- reflecting surface of the headlamp;
- control electronics, consisting of a reactor (igniter) and control unit (ballast);
- automatic light beam adjustment
Light beam (isolux curve) of conventional headlamp
Light beam (isolux curve) of discharge headlamp
COMPLETE LIGHTS CLUSTER
Each lights cluster contains the components necessary for the operation of the discharge lamp (bulb, reactor, control unit, control motor); the conventional components are also present (side lights, direction indicators, fog lights, main beam).
Cross section of headlamp showing the gas discharge bulb
1 - Main beam
2 - Side light
3 - Gas discharge bulb
4 - Fog light bulb
XENON LAMP
The xenon lamp comprises a bulb containing two electrodes a few millimetres apart, and filled with xenon gas at low pressure.
The emission of light is brought about by the striking up of an arc between the two electrodes, which is maintained during the operation of the bulb; this process is similar to what happens in neon tubes in civil applications.
Unlike neon tubes, however, in an automobile application, however, it is unthinkable to have to wait for some minutes before the process stabilises, so the lights cluster has an electronic control device which permits operation, with regard to warm-up time, comparable to conventional headlamps.
REFLECTIVE SURFACE
The xenon bulb requires a new reflective surface, as the light emission point is shaped and positioned differently compared to the halogen bulb.
The reflector used is of the complex surface type, so with no spherical lens. This surface receives light beams coming from the bulb and orientates them so as to provide a correct light beam distribution.
Control electronics
Each bulb is controlled by electronics consisting of two devices: the control unit (ballast) and ignition reactor (igniter).
The purpose of the ballast is to convert the low-voltage direct current coming from the vehicle''s battery into medium-voltage alternating current, and to control the subsystem''s operation in closed loop.
The ballast is thus able to control in an optimum way the characteristic voltage-current in the ignition stage, and can deliver to the bulb the power required to for operation in steady state.
The igniter is controlled by the ballast and can generate the high voltage (max 25 kV) necessary for striking up the arc between the electrodes.
The ballast in the left headlamp acts as ''MASTER'': it receives the signals from the sensors, processes them and re-transmits them also the ballast of the right ''SLAVE'' headlamp.
Wiring diagram
The figure shows a general diagram of the electrical connections
A, MASTER headlamp
B, SLAVE headlamp
Sa, Front sensor
Sb, Rear sensor
DIA, Diagnostic socket
Operation
The operation of a xenon bulb is divided into four phases
Ignition
In this stage, the ballast generates a voltage which can strike up a specific device located in the igniter. A voltage step-up circuit transfers the overvoltage, suitably amplified, to the lamp, thus causing a discharge between the electrodes.
Maintaining the arc (take-over)
During this stage (a few seconds), the bulb is supplied with extra power which is necessary to cause the rapid evaporation of the metallic halides contained in the bulb, so as to quickly reach the brightness steady state. Under these conditions, the lamp emits a flash of light of double the normal intensity for a period of about 100 microseconds.
Warm-up
For a period of about two minutes, the ballast regulates the light intensity by measuring the physical state of the bulb from its impedance characteristics (closed-loop check).
Steady state
The light beam is continuously checked in closed loop even in steady state conditions.
1 - Supply (12 V)
2 - High-voltage generator
3 - Square-wave generator
4 - CPU
5 - Voltage step-up circuit
A. Ballast
B. Igniter
C. Bulb
Automatic headlamp alignment adjuster
Because of the brightness of the beam emitted by the bulb, the vehicle must have an automatic headlamp alignment adjuster to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles because of changes in alignment. The device intervenes in certain conditions:
- static type, due to load distribution;
- dynamic type, due to acceleration and deceleration.
The automatic adjuster also ensures greater driving comfort, as the lit area remains stable and the eye does not have to constantly adapt to variations in illumination.
The device comprises:
- a stepper motor for each headlamp;
- two load sensors, connected to the front and rear suspension, right side.
Adjustment
This is achieved via the signal of the load sensors which, connected to the suspension, give an indication of the vehicle''s load condition.
The control unit is ''activated'' whenever the ignition is turned ONand resets the headlamps to the corrrect hight (calculated in relation to the vehicle load), which consists of the full tilting and subsequent positioning of the reflector.
The signals of the load sensors are periodically acquired and suitably averaged so as to proceed, if necessary, with an adjustment of the headlamp position (e.g. fuel consumption during driving). This adjustment is not immediate, but is filtered over time to avoid unwanted adjustments (e.g. potholes, rough road surface, etc.).
This adjustment is also carried out when the lights are off, so that the beam is correctly positioned the moment when the lights are switched on.
Load sensors
The sensors are fixed to the vehicle body, while an appropriately shaped lever follows the movement of the suspension.
The sensor is supplied by the headlamp control unit, and supplies as an output a linear signal proportional to the position of the suspension in relation to the body.
A - Part secured to the body
B - Part secured to the suspension lever
a - Angle of inclination of the lever
V - Voltage of sensor''s output signal
Adjustment actuator
A stepper actuator inside the lights cluster carries out the adjustment. This consists of a stepper motor and a screw-nutscrew reduction gear, which transforms from rotary into linear the motion of a pushrod hinged via a spherical ball to the reflective surface.
1 - Stepper motor
2 - Manual headlamp adjuster
Self-diagnosis
The electronics which manage the system include a self-test function which continuously checks its operation.
The control unit carries out a continuous autodiagnosis of the system operation. In particular, it detects and memorises any faults.
Faults stored in the control unit memory can be analysed by the Examiner or other diagnostic instruments.
Recovery
The self-test management logic also has the ''recovery'' function: if errors are detected, the system no longer works correctly, and so incorrect orientation of the light beam could dangerously dazzle other vehicles.
The light beam is then positioned low so it cannot dazzle under any circumstances, but permits sufficient illumination for safe driving to a garage on the Service Network.
Zeroing
In the case of replacement of a component in the system (headlamp, sensor, etc.), it is necessary to connect up the diagnostic instruments and carry out a self-learning procedure, to automatically reset the system, which must recognise the headlamp correctly algined position (position ''0'') from which it must make the appropriate adjustments.
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