Fix for DIM/DIP! Switch off those lights once and for all! Easy!

**pzorb** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 13:16

For those of us with cars circa 1995/6 who cannot switch off the day running lights, regardless of the headlight grub screw...

THERE IS A SOLUTION!
and it only takes 10 minutes at most!

Open the bonnet, and locate the fuse box. Remove the lid on the fuses. Then unscrew the four torx screws, and pull the black plastic up and off. It should look like this:

Then, remove the green relay by pulling it up:

Next locate the pin "56B", and get some thin nose pliers. Bend the pin flat:

Plug the relay back in. Switch the grub screw over to \ if you want all the lights off.

You're now ready for some HIDs! WOOOOOHOOOOO

Many, many thanks to Simon who gave me the info here:
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/forum/sh...ad.php?t=15305

Disclaimer: you're removing pins from a rather crucial relay, based on the advice from some bloke off the 'net. It worked for my 1996 Volvo 850 T5 Estate, but if you're not sure ring round to see how much a new/used relay will cost.

**siamblue** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 16:30

Nice one Martin and Simon, It's great when you beat these little issues

Gary

**Tomcat** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 16:31

Can we have this put in the 'How To' section so its there for everybody to see. Well done that man!

**Andy** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 19:23

Cheers Pzorb!

What happens though if you have a 1994 850 without the grub screw?

I'd like my lights off during the day!!

**pzorb** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 19:33

Hmmn, I wouldn't like to say! The problem with mine was that somewhere between the switch and the lights a dim/dip relay was stepping in and powering the lights. Even without the switch plugged in, the lights would still be on.

I'd prise the switch out of the dash, and unplug it. Then see what the lights do when the car's electrics are started with the key. The pictures on this link might help.
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5040

If they stay off, then you're looking at new wiring at the switch end. You might get lucky and find that a newer switch sorts the problem. If they stay on, then it's somewhere else - maybe try the same trick with the relay pin... but I'd ask around to see if anyone else knows.

Good luck! Keep us posted too!

**LeeT5** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 19:47

Originally Posted by Andy

Cheers Pzorb!

What happens though if you have a 1994 850 without the grub screw?

I'd like my lights off during the day!!

get a new headlight switch for a late 850 ie '96 from main dealer (thats what i did) and problem solved.

Also this seemed to cure the daylight running lights problem! So for me i didnt need to muck about busting expensive relays. BTW get a price for a new relay b4 you mod cos you might think twice...they aint cheap

**Andy** · Sunday 29th January 2006, 19:57

Originally Posted by LeeT5

get a new headlight switch for a late 850 ie '96 from main dealer (thats what i did) and problem solved.

Also this seemed to cure the daylight running lights problem! So for me i didnt need to muck about busting expensive relays. BTW get a price for a new relay b4 you mod cos you might think twice...they aint cheap

Thanks mate, I will speak to salvo and see if they can send me one up.

**LeeT5** · Monday 30th January 2006, 00:57

Originally Posted by Andy

Thanks mate, I will speak to salvo and see if they can send me one up.

no probs.

**t5tart** · Monday 30th January 2006, 14:52

Originally Posted by LeeT5

get a new headlight switch for a late 850 ie '96 from main dealer (thats what i did) and problem solved.

Also this seemed to cure the daylight running lights problem! So for me i didnt need to muck about busting expensive relays. BTW get a price for a new relay b4 you mod cos you might think twice...they aint cheap

how much was the switch ?

**Vikingxl** · Monday 30th January 2006, 15:32

Glad you finally got it sorted.

**LeeT5** · Monday 30th January 2006, 21:09

Originally Posted by t5tart

how much was the switch ?

Sorry no. But the figure of £30 something quid rings a bell.

**Andy** · Thursday 2nd February 2006, 18:09

Originally Posted by LeeT5

Sorry no. But the figure of £30 something quid rings a bell.

Sounds about right through the likes of salvo etc.

**Andy** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 10:59

I done what Pzorb suggested this morning i.e. removed the headlight switch and started the car up.

I took the switch off with the headlight switch in 0. The only lights left on with the switch disconnected were the side lights in the main headlamp.

What does this mean then?

I checked the relay and mine is identical to the one in the pictures on this post.
I have ordered a 1996 switch with the grub screw to see if that turns the lights off (like lee suggested) but if this does not work then i think i might be inclined to snap the little leg off the relay (as long as i have a spare relay handy

)

**S60D5** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 11:05

Andy when we going to get some pics of her then?

**Andy** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 11:09

Originally Posted by S60D5

Andy when we going to get some pics of her then?

I'll get some today mate. Been working but am off now so have no excuse.

I'll go wash her (even though its baltic cold) and get some pics

**S60D5** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 11:11

Originally Posted by Andy

I'll get some today mate. Been working but am off now so have no excuse.

I'll go wash her (even though its baltic cold) and get some pics

Look forward to them mate!

**pzorb** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 11:25

Originally Posted by Andy

The only lights left on with the switch disconnected were the side lights in the main headlamp.

i think i might be inclined to snap the little leg off the relay

Sounds to me like the switch isn't fully in charge of the lights. Mine did the same without the switch plugged in, main beam stayed on. I hope the new switch sorts out your problem, or you'll have a new light switch with a novelty screw on it! Your car seems to be younger than when DIM/DIP regulation was breifly introduced; certainly if you have the additional module it's pin bending time. It's just so annyoing that for whatever reason Volvo have reworked the wiring at least three times in as many years!

Remember, you don't need to snap that pin off. Bending it offers you the chance to unbend it! Just be gentle.

Personally, I'd try bending the relay pin first before ordering the switch but hey you might break it off I guess and I'm assuming these aren't cheap. Disclaimer!

Keep us posted!

**Andy** · Thursday 9th February 2006, 12:31

The switch was only a tenner so i've scored on that one!

**Andy** · Saturday 11th February 2006, 18:23

Pzorb,

Just to keep you updated.

I got the new switch through the post this morning and tried it straight away the results were as follows:

The lights would stay on regardless when the switch was unplugged.
The only effect the grub screw would have is to turn the parking lights off.

Anyway the lights didn't turn off with the new switch so I got the needle nose pliers out.

56B pin was bent in and VOILA!!! Sorted!

Very Happy.

Thank you for the help.

**LeeT5** · Sunday 12th February 2006, 01:12

Originally Posted by Andy

Pzorb,

Just to keep you updated.

I got the new switch through the post this morning and tried it straight away the results were as follows:

The lights would stay on regardless when the switch was unplugged.
The only effect the grub screw would have is to turn the parking lights off.

Anyway the lights didn't turn off with the new switch so I got the needle nose pliers out.

56B pin was bent in and VOILA!!! Sorted!

Very Happy.

Thank you for the help.

Worth a shot though. (switch)