Automatic headlights - Stalk & sensor transplant into an S

[tk1971]

Stalk pn: 25560-3KA8E combination switch

Optical sensor pn: 28576-1HH0A

I'm going to try installing the combination switch and sensor to see if I can get auto headlights in my '15 S.

I have an independent mechanic who says his Nissan Consult works on a 2014. Anyone know if that will work on a 2015? I think the BCM needs to be programmed to turn on the auto headlights.

Don't even know it the wiring for the sensor is there. If not I'll wire it up to the BCM.

Let's have some fun.

[tk1971]

Here are my notes on how to make the connections.

Unfortunately, there are no wires on the M24 BCM harness for the Optical Sensor input (#14) and the Sensor Power Supply output (#17). There is however a wire for Sensor Ground (#18).

I wired everything up and cut the hole out for the Optical Sensor next to the AC sensor.

Here are some pictures:

Combo switch (stalk) - no need to remove the steering wheel. Just remove the top/bottom covers (2 screws) and there are 4 screws holding it together, 2 each on the left/right sides.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Here's the Leaf with the Glove box along with the inner glove box panels removed,

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

The BCM on the far upper left (mounted vertically).

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Connector M24. The paperclip is on Optical Sensor Input # 14.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Cutting the trim that holds the Optical Sensor. There's a pattern of the sensor hole on the bottom of it, which make it easy to cut.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

My notes on the connections:

auto lights 1 by tk_1971, on Flickr

Here's what needs to be done in Consult 3+ in order to turn on the Auto Headlight feature:

consult function BCM head lamp by tk_1971, on Flickr

I now need to find someone with a Consult 3+ to make this work.

[tk1971]

So I contacted Jim (aka WattsLeft of LeafSpy) and asked if LeafSpy Pro is able to turn on the Auto Headlight function.

Turns out the newest version is capable of doing just that.

I have an older version on an Android phone that I bought just for LeafSpyPro when I wanted to change the settings on the door locks. I haven't looked at it since.

I'm going to check it out when I get home.

Here is an image I got off the web of the appropriate service screen:

leafspypro by tk_1971, on Flickr

Either this will work, or I did something wrong with the wiring. We'll see...

[tk1971]

Got the Beta version of LeafSpy Pro and although I can change the settings, the auto light function still doesn't work.

I've done some more homework on the Auto Light feature. I even went so far as to track down the different versions of the BCM which I found out should not be program-specific but instead build-date specific (ie. 284B13NF0B for 10/2014-8/2015, and 284B13NF0A for 12/2012-10/2014).

After looking at the combo switch inputs/outputs thinking that maybe certain wires could be missing, I've concluded that it can't be because other common functions are associated with Output 4 / Input 3.

I found a manual setting for this feature in the BCS manual. Apparently, I need to manually set the "Auto Light" under the BCM configuration to a setting of "With".

The next step is that I need to get this setting manually set and try again.

autolight by tk_1971, on Flickr

[thebard]

Hi, have you made any progress on this? I'm curious if the stalk you are putting on has the "tap to lane change" feature?
I have a '13 SV and I have the auto headlights feature, but I'm wondering if I transplant a newer stalk, if the tap feature will work. Does anyone know if that's built into the stalk, or would it require programming?

[tk1971]

Hi, have you made any progress on this? I'm curious if the stalk you are putting on has the "tap to lane change" feature?
I have a '13 SV and I have the auto headlights feature, but I'm wondering if I transplant a newer stalk, if the tap feature will work. Does anyone know if that's built into the stalk, or would it require programming?

Sorry, I don't even know what that feature is...

My stalk was from a 2012-2014 Nissan Pathfinder (Nissan Part #: 25560-3ka8e). The owner added factory foglights which required the stalk to be upgraded to one with the fog controls on it.

But I did get the Auto Headlights feature to work with the help of Jim the "LeafSpy" guy. He helped me "activate" the option in my car with a little program and the ODBII bluetooth connector that I use with LeafSpy Pro.

I'll post more pictures in a separate thread.

[tk1971]

Here are some final pictures of the install. Please note that on the back of the sensor there is a "3" molded on it which I mistakenly took for a label to pin #3. This is incorrect, as that is actually pin #1, which connects to the +5V from the BCM. Pin #2 connects to the Optical Sensor input on the BCM and the real pin #3 connects to sensor Ground. I initially had #1 & 3 reversed, so the in Auto mode, the headlights were always on (no voltage going into the sensor, which would then get attenuated by the light sensor and routed to the sensor input). So, it acted like it was always dark. Here's a picture of the back of the sensor and the "3" which is really a "1":

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

For the connector to the sensor, I took a 4 pin JST style connector, removed one of the wires and took it to my bench grinder until it fits:

Description
Brand New
Male & Female 4Pin Connector With Wire for 5050/3528 RGB LED Strips
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282118967273?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Here it is all ground down and test fitted:
Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

I zip tied the wire to the sensor so that the connector won't fall off since it doesn't have the proper mating locking stuff.

Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr

Making use of more connectors and used cloth tape to prevent stray noise:
Untitled by tk_1971, on Flickr


I'd like to take some time to thank Jim from "LeafSpy Pro" who made this possible. Even with all the hardware installed, without activating the "AutoHeadlight" feature and having LeafSpy Pro set the options/settings for this function, the upgrade would not be possible.

Thanks Jim!!!

[thebard]

Thanks for the pictures, that's awesome!

The "tap" feature let's you depress the stalk momentarily (without activating the constant turm signal) and will blink the flasher 3 times & then automatically turn off (for a lane change). Looking at the Leaf manuals, it looks like they included it in the '14 & '15 model years and then stopped.

Maybe they test marketed here in California, & realized nobody actually signals for lane changes here...

[gshepherd]

Wow great work!

After your mod, do you now have auto dimming of the cluster/touchscreen as well? I believe auto headlights also enables auto brightness of the dash as ambient lighting changes.

One of my peeves is having to manually adjust the instrument lights when driving at sunset or on a wet day with the headlights on. On the LEAF it means pressing the instrument lighting button many times to cycle through the levels.

[tk1971]

Wow great work!

After your mod, do you now have auto dimming of the cluster/touchscreen as well? I believe auto headlights also enables auto brightness of the dash as ambient lighting changes.

One of my peeves is having to manually adjust the instrument lights when driving at sunset or on a wet day with the headlights on. On the LEAF it means pressing the instrument lighting button many times to cycle through the levels.y

I don't know. The wife drives the car mostly, so I'll ask her and report back.

Ok, she says the instrument lights dim like it normally does when the headlights are turned on. Whatever setting it's set to. Doesn't appear to have "active" / varying dimming like with some other cars.