Nissan Pathfinder (2011 year). Instruction - part 395

EXL-6

< BASIC INSPECTION >

DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR WORKFLOW

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11.

REPAIR CHECK (OPERATION CHECK)

Check the operation of each part.
Does it operate normally?

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>> Inspection End.

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2011 Pathfinder

HEADLAMP

EXL-7

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

HEADLAMP

System Diagram

INFOID:0000000006247616

System Description

INFOID:0000000006247617

Control of the headlamp system operation is dependent upon the position of the combination switch (lighting

and turn signal switch). When the lighting switch is placed in the 2nd position, the BCM (body control module)

receives input requesting the headlamps and park lamps to illuminate. This input is communicated to the

IPDM E/R (intelligent power distribution module engine room) via the CAN communication lines. The CPU

(central processing unit) of the IPDM E/R controls the headlamp LH high, headlamp RH high and headlamp

low relay coils. When energized, these relays direct power to the respective headlamps, which then illuminate.

HIGH BEAM OPERATION/FLASH-TO-PASS OPERATION

With the lighting switch in the 2ND position and placed in HIGH position, the BCM receives input requesting

the headlamp high beams to illuminate. The flash to pass feature can be used any time and also sends a sig-

nal to the BCM. This input is communicated to the IPDM E/R via the CAN communication lines. The CPU of

the combination meter controls the ON/OFF status off the HIGH BEAM indicator. The CPU of the IPDM E/R

controls the headlamp high relay coil which supplies power to the high beam headlamps.

The combination meter receives a high beam request signal (ON) via the CAN communication lines and turns

the high beam indicator lamp ON.

Component Parts Location

INFOID:0000000006247618

AWLIA1715GB

WKIA4957E

2011 Pathfinder

EXL-8

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

HEADLAMP

Component Description

INFOID:0000000006247619

1.

IPDM E/R E122, E123, E124

2.

BCM M18, M20 (view with lower instru-
ment panel LH removed)

3.

Combination switch (lighting and turn 
signal switch) M28

4.

Combination meter M24

Part name

Description

BCM

• Receives lighting switch requests via BCM combination switch 

reading function.

• Sends headlamp high/low request signal to the IPDM E/R.

IPDM E/R

Activates the headlamp high and headlamp low relays upon re-
quest from the BCM.

Combination switch (lighting and turn signal switch)

Outputs lighting requests to the BCM.

2011 Pathfinder

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM

EXL-9

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

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DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM

System Diagram

INFOID:0000000006247620

System Description

INFOID:0000000006247621

The headlamp system for Canada vehicles is equipped with a daytime light control that activates the high

beam headlamps at approximately half illumination whenever the engine is operating. If the parking brake is

depressed before the engine is started the daytime lights will not be illuminated. The daytime lights will illumi-

nate once the parking brake is released. Thereafter, the daytime lights will continue to operate when the park-

ing brake is depressed.

OPERATION 

The BCM monitors inputs from the parking brake switch and the combination switch (lighting and turn signal

switch) to determine when to activate the daytime light system.  The BCM sends a daytime light request to the

IPDM E/R via the CAN communication lines.  The IPDM E/R grounds the daytime light relay 1 which in turn,

provides power to the ground side of the LH high beam lamp.  Power flows backward through the LH high

beam lamp to the IPDM E/R, through the high beam fuses, through the RH high beam lamp circuit to the RH

high beam lamp and on to ground.  The high beam lamps are wired in series which causes them to illuminate

at a reduced intensity. 

AWLIA1751GB

2011 Pathfinder

EXL-10

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM

Component Parts Location

INFOID:0000000006247622

Component Description

INFOID:0000000006247623

1.

IPDM E/R E119, E122, E123, E124

2.

Parking brake switch E53

3.

BCM M18, M20 (view with lower instru-
ment panel LH removed)

4.

ECM E16 (view with ECM cover re-
moved)

5.

Generator E205, E209

6.

Daytime light relay 1, E103

7.

Daytime light relay 2, E104

8.

Combination switch (lighting and turn 
signal switch) M28

9.

Combination meter M24

WKIA4958E

Part name

Description

BCM

• Receives combination switch (lighting and turn signal switch) 

inputs via BCM combination switch reading function.

• Receives parking brake depressed input from the parking 

brake switch.

• Receives engine running status from the ECM via CAN com-

munication. 

IPDM E/R

Receives daytime light request from the BCM and activates the 
daytime light relay.

Combination switch (lighting and turn signal switch)

Outputs lighting requests to the BCM.

2011 Pathfinder

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM

EXL-11

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

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Park brake switch

Outputs parking brake status to the combination meter which for-
wards that information to the BCM via CAN communication.

ECM

Outputs engine running status to the BCM.

2011 Pathfinder

EXL-12

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

AUTO LIGHT SYSTEM

AUTO LIGHT SYSTEM

System Diagram

INFOID:0000000006247624

System Description

INFOID:0000000006247625

The auto light control system has an optical sensor that detects outside brightness.

When the lighting switch is in AUTO position, it automatically turns ON/OFF the parking, license plate, tail and

headlamps in accordance with the ambient light. Sensitivity can be adjusted in four steps. For the details,

Refer to 

EXL-29, "HEADLAMP : CONSULT-III Function (BCM - HEAD LAMP)"

.

AUTO LIGHT OPERATION

The auto light system operates the low beam and high beam headlamps, parking lamps, tail lamps and license

plate lamps. The BCM monitors the combination switch (lighting and turn signal switch) position as a part of

the BCM combination switch reading function. When the lighting switch is in the AUTO position, the BCM auto-

matically turns the lamps ON/OFF according to ambient light brightness.   

NOTE:

Timing for when lamps turn ON/OFF can be changed by the function setting of CONSULT-III. Refer to 

EXL-29,

"HEADLAMP : CONSULT-III Function (BCM - HEAD LAMP)"

.

AWLIA1761GB

2011 Pathfinder

AUTO LIGHT SYSTEM

EXL-13

< SYSTEM DESCRIPTION >

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Component Parts Location

INFOID:0000000006247626

Component Description

INFOID:0000000006247627

1.

IPDM E/R E122, E123, E124

2.

BCM M18, M19, M20 (view with lower 
instrument panel LH removed)

3.

Combination switch (lighting and turn 
signal switch) M28

4.

Combination meter M24

5.

Rear door switch
LH B18
RH B116

6.

Optical sensor M145

7.

Back door latch (door ajar switch) 
D502

8.

Front door switch
LH B8
RH B108

WKIA4959E

Part name

Description

BCM

BCM (Body Control Module) controls auto light operation accord-
ing to signals from optical sensor, lighting switch, door switches, 
and ignition switch.

IPDM E/R

IPDM E/R (Intelligent Power Distribution Module Engine Room) 
operates parking, license plate, tail and headlamps according to 
CAN communication signals from BCM.

Combination switch (lighting switch)

The lighting switch outputs lighting requests to the BCM.

2011 Pathfinder