S60R headlamp

[spencem875]

Bit of a long shot. The main beam has stopped working on one side after getting soaked from a puddle. The bulb works fine on the other side and the full beam, side and indicators are fine too. Is there anything else I can check? I have had the back off and dried it out as much as possible but it is full of condensation again.

[Harvey]

The ballest in the headlights do fail at times,and if it's got wet that won't help,if there power getting to the headlight it could be the ballest unit.

It's not volvo part.

On eBay uk. 271147835747

[spencem875]

Does the ballast unit also control the full beam? Because the light unit inside is moving when you put full beam on.

[Harvey]

All it does is make the bulb work,so if it's not on and you have power going into the Ballest ,and the bulb ok
The high beam side of things is the motor just moves the bulb up.
The high beam bulb is the next one over they are both on when high beam is wanted.

[spencem875]

Have you got to remove the whole headlamp unit to change this?

[spencem875]

Yes you do

Attachment 22965
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[Harvey]

So what was the damage ,did it dry out or a new unit.

[spencem875]

New unit from link you gave

[Harvey]

New unit from link you gave

I think one from volvo is silly money,any idea how the water got in ?.

Nice plate....

[volvokid]

I think one from volvo is silly money,any idea how the water got in ?.

Nice plate....

I have S60 R U in my drawer. I still need to send it back.

[spencem875]

Volvo is about 250 or so. I had to drive through a large puddle to get to work and the water went in through the back where you remove the bulb. Plate was a bargain from DVLA

[julz]

The ballest in the headlights do fail at times,and if it's got wet that won't help,if there power getting to the headlight it could be the ballest unit.

It's not volvo part.

On eBay uk. 271147835747

Hello all, hope you don't mind me jumping into this topic.

I have a 2004 S60R and my passenger main headlight has stopped working. The dash message reads dipped headlight bulb not working.

I took it to a garage and they tried to change the bulb but it didn't work and now they're saying I need to replace the whole headlamp unit which costs over £800!!!

From my understanding of this thread am I correct in thinking that the whole unit might not need replacing? That it might just be the ballast?

Harvey mentions that if power is getting to the headlight it could be the ballast unit, is there a way I can check if the headlight is getting power?

Am I also correct in thinking that the whole unit needs to be removed to replace the ballast? Spencem875 says he fixed it by replacing unit from a link provided in thread (271147835747). That ballast unit is still available and it says it's compatible with a 2004 S60R.

Do you think I should purchase the ballast, try and replace and see? it's mentioned that the ballast can get damaged if it's gets wet, well we've had horrendous rain here (I'm in Berkshire), with roads flooded and I've had to go through quite a few flooded areas over the past few weeks.

I've looked for a 2nd hand unit with no luck. There is a unit, minus the ballast on eBay but it's from Estonia 271370862978. It's for a right hand drive though so I think it's the right one.

Finally, the mother of all stupid questions. They say this unit is for the left side of the car and I'm not sure if this is the passenger side which is the one I need replacing since which side of the car is the left side depends on whether you're inside the car or looking at it from the front lol

Many thanks in advance for any help folks.

[stribo]

Yes, sounds like you need a new ballast, definitely not a complete headlight. To test if power's getting to the headlight you're best off using a multimeter to test for voltage. The headlight needs to come out to change the ballast, which means taking the bumper off. Left side is nearside, or passenger side in a RHD car.

[julz]

Yes, sounds like you need a new ballast, definitely not a complete headlight. To test if power's getting to the headlight you're best off using a multimeter to test for voltage. The headlight needs to come out to change the ballast, which means taking the bumper off. Left side is nearside, or passenger side in a RHD car.

Thank you! I've ordered the ballast. Even in the unlikely event I end up needing to replace the complete headlight I'd need to buy the ballast anyway since the one on eBay doesn't come with the ballast.

Fingers crossed it works!

[Harvey]

Thank you! I've ordered the ballast. Even in the unlikely event I end up needing to replace the complete headlight I'd need to buy the ballast anyway since the one on eBay doesn't come with the ballast.

Fingers crossed it works!

Just to add the easy way is to swap the bulbs over n/s to o/s if the fault stays the same then at least you know it's not the bulbs.
It is a very good chance it will be the ballast unit as they have a short live span of 2000 hours. If you look at the photo in the eBay page top left on the sticker on the ballest says 2000h.

The head light supply plug going into the head light you could test for 12v supply, but don't try to test for voltage at the bulb plug that is up around 25000 volts not good for you or most test meters.
If the unit has got damp/wet it won't like it and could have damaged it,when you fit the new unit make sure it's nice and dry inside.

[spencem875]

Good luck mate!

[julz]

Good luck mate!

Thank you

She's in the garage again today and they have the ballast so fingers crossed it's all okay. I could've changed it with your photos, I've had to remove front bumper before to fit a custom mesh to cover intercooler fins but it's a major pain in the backside and she's in to have front lower arms and bushes replaced.

[Harvey]

Thank you

She's in the garage again today and they have the ballast so fingers crossed it's all okay. I could've changed it with your photos, I've had to remove front bumper before to fit a custom mesh to cover intercooler fins but it's a major pain in the backside and she's in to have front lower arms and bushes replaced.

Any photos of the custom mesh ?. Would be nice to see.
Did the garage get it fixed yet .

[julz]

Any photos of the custom mesh ?. Would be nice to see.
Did the garage get it fixed yet .

Hi Harvey, the new ballast control unit suggested in this thread works like a charm.

I'm trying to upload photos of the mesh but haven't figured out how yet...... watch this space :-)

[julz]

Ok, I think this will work..........

First 2 photos are the grill just after I installed it. I've since had the whole car vinyl wrapped in black carbon effect and sprayed the mesh matte black to blend in, had windows tinted, and had the alloys done in a gun-metal grey colour. The standard bright silver of the pegasus alloys didn't go with the wrapping.