V70R xenons

[will-g]

Hello.......

I am now the proud owner of a V70R ( 2004 ) my first volvo after a fair few Saab 9-5 aeros. Last night was the 1st time that I had driven it in the dark since purchasing the car about a month ago. The xenon lights on dipped were unfortunately pointing about 2 feet in front of the car.

Hopefully someone out there can help this Volvo newbie.

1. I assume that the lights are meant to self level and they will perform some self levelling test when first switched on ? Mine do not.

2. Assuming the car has levelling sensors, could someone tell me where they are ?

3. Is changing the above sensors ( assuming that is whats wrong ) a possible DIY job or am I going to have to root out a garage or specialist in the Glasgow area ( any recommendations ?? )

4. Where is the best place to source the sensors

Apologies for the mulititude of questions, apart from the lights it is a top car and I am loving the four C suspension

Cheers

W-G

[Libra]

I have a 2003 S60R and I sort of had a similar problem - where the lights apear to me focused about 2 foot infront of the car. This might seem that the lights are dipped too much, but it maybe that they are perfictly fine and they probably are. These D2R bulbs become blue with age and use and this reducing the light out put somewhat.

I had to have two new D2R blubs fitted two months ago and they are much better in colour. Instead of a blue tinge to nthe light out put they are white/yellow in colour and when country lane driving I do not really need to use main beam.

You also metion that you don't see the lights self level like you would with projectors. This is normal, well it is for me. Even at night they seem to remember from the last off position. Best thing to do is to book it into your local Volvo garage and let them have a look.

I hope that i have been some kind of help.

P.S. 4C is great when it is all working correctly. What setting do you keep it in most of the time? I keep it in Comfort 75% of the time. Sport, I think could do with being stiffer and Advanced is awesome, as it seems to make the throttle,steering, power of the car much more, or maybe that is just the placeboo (?) effectl.

[will-g]

Thanks for the info....... so it might be as simple as new bulbs.

The car does have the daytime running lights on, so perhaps it is just wear and tear on the bulbs.

So in normal use the bulbs do not perform a self level test ??

I will give the local volvo garage a call a see what they will charge me

Thanks again.....

[Libra]

Thanks for the info....... so it might be as simple as new bulbs.

The car does have the daytime running lights on, so perhaps it is just wear and tear on the bulbs.

So in normal use the bulbs do not perform a self level test ??

I will give the local volvo garage a call a see what they will charge me

Thanks again.....


The bulbs are expensive, £100 a go and more for fitting especially for the drivers side - bumper has to be removed and headlight unit as well to replace the bulb.

The lights do self level.

[will-g]

Libra,

thanks again.

excuse my ignorance. You say the lights do self level, but you just dont see them do it on start up of the car.

Do you happen to know where the level sensors are ?

WG

[Libra]

Libra,

thanks again.

excuse my ignorance. You say the lights do self level, but you just dont see them do it on start up of the car.

Do you happen to know where the level sensors are ?

WG

That is correct. When I have been sat in the car at night with the lights pointing at a wall, row of bushes, etc.. I have seen the lights move up then back again, very quickly.

No. I have no idea. But have a look at these attachments as there might be a section about the hight light leveling sensor - http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/information-s60.shtml

[PAVLIE]

That is correct. When I have been sat in the car at night with the lights pointing at a wall, row of bushes, etc.. I have seen the lights move up then back again, very quickly.

No. I have no idea. But have a look at these attachments as there might be a section about the hight light leveling sensor - http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/information-s60.shtml

i agree with Libra, park facing a wall and you will see them level themselves when you start up

[burchi]

Hi... Hope you are enjoying your new car.. Before you go spending money on changing out parts on this, I would suggest you get the following checked out as this is a quite common issue.

The SUM (suspension module) is loaded with software and if a new version of software is applied to it during routine service or software update process without the full ignition being turned on and the dipped beam lights turned on, they will end up pointing pretty much into the ground.

Get the car connected up to VIDA at a dealer/specialist with the ignition and dipped lights on and get them to reload the SUM software. It may well fix the issue for you!

Hope this helps

[will-g]

Thanks for the all the suggestions...........

[LeeT5]

Just had my SUM recalibrated and updated with the latest software and the lights were pointing at the ground afterwards. So i rebooked it back with my local dealer and it turns out the rear level sensors were 'out of spec' due to the car being lowered 30mm. All that was needed was to raise the arse end to what looked like oe height and then switch the car on with the lights switch in the 'on' position. Bosh!! up they came :) Then lower the car at the rear again and the lights automatically recalibrate themselves. A quick alignment check and all was done.

You could raise the rear of the car on two jacks at home first and then lower....before you go to the dealer.

Hope this helps.

[LeeT5]

Thanks for the all the suggestions...........

Will, assuming your car is NOT lowered then do not waste your money on new bulbs. If the beam pattern is blatently pointing at the floor then chances are your rear level sensors are not calibrated correctly. The REAR level sensors is where the headlight ecu gets it's level info from. As i said earlier, try jacking the rear of the car up first with the ignition switched off and headlight switch on. Once you have jacked up the car (only a few inches is needed) then switch on the ignition. The lights will come on and automatically do a self test/check and a level check. you may see the light beam go up and down briefly. If you do the lights ecu is working fine (£700 each as they are part of the light unit and not seperate). Then leaving the ignition and lights on you need to lower the car back onto the ground. Remove the jack and check now where your beam pattern is. Best to do this at dusk. If your lights still point at the ground then its a trip to the dealer for a diagnostic check via Vadis. If they raise up and point where they should then you have fixed it!.

Hope this helps.