Xenon light problems

[expolicev70t5]

I have a 2005 ex polive V70 with Xenon lights, this has standard police spec suspension ( I assume nivomats) when I got it the head lights used to self level, however over Christmas this seems to have stopped working and I am left with a head light beam that lights the road about 8 foot in font of me, the lights obiously arnt lifting like they used to, I have had a look in haynes manual as I assumed it must be a fuse blown that operated the self leveling as both head lights aim down, however cant find any thing, anyone know a fix for this or what could be the problem?? as dark nights and mornings when I travel to work are a bit of a problem.

[JamesT5]

The self levelling motor may be at fault but there should be a fuse for the self levelling device. Sorry I can't be more help but try doing a Google search for a list of fuse numbers and locations, although this should be in the owners manual.

Regards

James

[silverhorse]

I have a 2005 ex polive V70 with Xenon lights, this has standard police spec suspension ( I assume nivomats) when I got it the head lights used to self level, however over Christmas this seems to have stopped working and I am left with a head light beam that lights the road about 8 foot in font of me, the lights obiously arnt lifting like they used to, I have had a look in haynes manual as I assumed it must be a fuse blown that operated the self leveling as both head lights aim down, however cant find any thing, anyone know a fix for this or what could be the problem?? as dark nights and mornings when I travel to work are a bit of a problem.

When you turn on the high beam, the dipped beam xenons should also raise automatically. Are they doing this? If so you have no problem with the motor. If not, you have.
If motor is working, there is a hexagonal white plastic adjuster above each headlight. Just wind the lights up (anti-clockwise iirc) manually.
Sometimes the levelling sensor gets a bit confused and drops the beam right down.

[expolicev70t5]

No the high beam lights the road to where the dipped beam should light to nothing appears to rise, based on this I assume the motor is the problem?

[silverhorse]

No the high beam lights the road to where the dipped beam should light to nothing appears to rise, based on this I assume the motor is the problem?

I don't think something is awry with the motors, probably a voltage supply issue. I would assume that each headlamp has its own motor, so for them to both fail simultaneously would be highly unlikely. Try winding them up manually to where they should be. If they are too low there may not be enough travel in the winding thread to get them to where they should be.
Go through all your fuses just to check.
Other than that you will need to take the car in to get it plugged in to have any fault codes read.

[expolicev70t5]

Well had a look at lights last night by switching from dipped to main beam and I can see diped beam rising as main beam comes on

[silverhorse]

Well had a look at lights last night by switching from dipped to main beam and I can see diped beam rising as main beam comes on

In that case, no probs with levelling motors.It is probably the levelling sensor at the back has got a bit confused.
Jack the rear of the car up a few inches, turn on ignition and let the lights do their thing. Turn off ignition and then lower the car. This might sort out levelling sensor. You may still have to manually wind up the lights.

Turn the little white plastic nut in the pic. Obviously you need to do this at night against your garage door to check your beam.
BTW, I had this exact prob with mine, and my local specialist said that if the bulb is weak and is not drawing the correct current, it can upset the whole system. When I had new bulbs installed, the problem was nearly sorted. Just a cou[ple of manual windings on that adjuster and I am sorted.

[Al115]

Mine did this when the SUM calibration was out. But maybe that is specific to the V70R/S60R, not sure.

[expolicev70t5]

Thanks for that much appreciated, will have a look over weekend

[LeeT5]

Mine did this when the SUM calibration was out. But maybe that is specific to the V70R/S60R, not sure.

That's because on the S60R/V70R when you calibrate the SUM you must make sure that the headlights are 'ON' otherwise the lights default to a minimum failsafe dipped beam.
To be honest, i never touch the lights on my car because to properly calibrate the SUM the vehicle must be parked on perfectly flat, level ground and the only place you'll get that is a Volvo workshop.
I have them aligned every Autumn thou cos the vibrations, pot holes and bumps can make them slowly drop over time.

Your better off just driving the car to your dealer and let them do it as using your garage door (such an amateur thing to do ) is not going to tell you if your beams are too high or not. Honestly, its only 15 minutes labour and i know my local dealer only charged me £20 all in to do it....and that included the SUM calibration.

[expolicev70t5]

Well, got to the bottom of the lights problem, there is a little metal bracket that bolts to level sensor and rear arm, the bracket has coroded and snapped to the light senor arm had dropped down, looks like a blob of weld is needed to fix the bracket, I have Tie wrapped the bracket back to the rear arm on temporary basis and this seems to have resolved the light problem, as they are now realining them selves each time the ignition is switched on, just need to get it booked in now at local garage to get it fixed on permanent basis.

[V70 Graham]

Glad to hear its not going to be a too expensive fix for you.

[LeeT5]

Excellent news!! My level sensor bracket came loose last year. It developed an annoying little squeak that only occurred going over small bumps. A little lubrication and retighten the two 10mm bolts and all is well.

[silverhorse]

Excellent news!! My level sensor bracket came loose last year. It developed an annoying little squeak that only occurred going over small bumps. A little lubrication and retighten the two 10mm bolts and all is well.

Ooh. I have the exact same issue. Go over a small bump or into a small pothole and a little chirrup can be heard, a bit like a wheel bearing squeak. I wonder if that is what it is.
Where can I find the level sensor?

[silverhorse]

Well, got to the bottom of the lights problem, there is a little metal bracket that bolts to level sensor and rear arm, the bracket has coroded and snapped to the light senor arm had dropped down, looks like a blob of weld is needed to fix the bracket, I have Tie wrapped the bracket back to the rear arm on temporary basis and this seems to have resolved the light problem, as they are now realining them selves each time the ignition is switched on, just need to get it booked in now at local garage to get it fixed on permanent basis.

Well done that man!! Glad it is a simple fix. Happy days

[LeeT5]

Ooh. I have the exact same issue. Go over a small bump or into a small pothole and a little chirrup can be heard, a bit like a wheel bearing squeak. I wonder if that is what it is.
Where can I find the level sensor?

At the rear of the car underneath. Its connects the rear axle to the main body of the car. You will see it.