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Active headlights

Fig 1: Identifying Headlight Control Module (HCM) System Communication Links
GLL156305Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Active headlights are an intelligent headlight system that optimizes illumination of the road surface at night by turning out the light beam. The motorized headlights are controlled by the headlight control module (HCM), which retrieves signals from the CAN network.

In order to activate the active headlight function, the headlight control module (HCM) (4/118) needs information on the following: vehicle speed, current gear, light conditions.

The headlight control module (HCM) receives information from the following control modules: 

The headlight control module (HCM) is activated automatically when the ignition switch is turned to position II. In order to turn out the light beam, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

The switch for active headlights on the climate control module (CCM) (3/112) can be used to disable/enable the function.

When the function is active, the headlight control module (HCM) receives continual information on vehicle speed and steering angle. Vehicle speed is obtained from the brake control module (BCM) while steering angle information comes from the steering wheel angle sensor module (SAS) (3/254). This information enables the headlight control module (HCM) to calculate the current turn-out of the light beam.