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High Beams Won't Stay On 850 1995

posted by  someone claiming to be garyfoote on  Sat Jan 5 01:59 CST 2008 [RELATED]

My high beams work but I have to hold the lever to keep them on. The light switch is set to the 'full on' position [the position where they go on with the car and go off when the car is shut off].

Mechanical? Electrical? Operator error?

Thanks for your help,

Gary

'95 850 wagon








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    High Beams Won't Stay On 850 1995

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Jan 5 05:12 CST 2008
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    It is always frustrating to me to hear people complain about instrument panel lights burning out when they always have their headlight switch in the noon position. Just because Volvo turns off the lights when you turn the car off, doesn't mean that you have to be lazy and not turn them off yourself. Give your battery and bulbs a break.

    Now, to your problem. If the headlight switch doesn't point to 12 o'clock, your high beams will not stay on. The Daytime Running Lights are always on, because the little screw switch is also in the 12 o'clock position.

    So, if your headlight switch is "on", then you will need a new relay to make the high beams work. And get some micro bulbs for your dash switches, because they are also burning out.

    Klaus
    --
    The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)








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      High Beams Won't Stay On 850 1995

      posted by  someone claiming to be garyfoote on  Sat Jan 5 06:01 CST 2008 [RELATED]

      Thank you Klaus. Just to clarify... In the 12 o-clock position the high beams will work properly. In the 9 o-clock position it doesn't work properly.

      How does switch position affect the instrument panel lights and running lights? [Panel lights have never worked since I bought the car last April.]

      Finally, you are saying I should switch to 9 o-clock position when shutting the auto off?

      I have to get an owner's manual...

      Thanks again for your response,

      Gary








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        High Beams Won't Stay On 850 1995

        posted by  TomL on  Sun Jan 6 12:22 CST 2008
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Sun Jul 25 18:24 CST 2010
        [RELATED]

        Gary,
        Owners manual can be downloaded from the Volvo web site,pdf.
        When the headlight switch is in the 9 o'clock position the dash lights and the high beams won't come on, except for "flash" when you lift the lever. When the headlight switch is in the 12 o'clock position everything will work normal including DRL.
        --
        Tom 69-1800S, 72-1800ES, 96-850T,2000-S70 GLT-SE








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        High Beams Won't Stay On 850 1995

        posted by  KlausC on  Sat Jan 5 07:36 CST 2008
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Volvo's version of daytime running lights(DRL) is headlight/tail light on, but not the instrument lights. When the headlights are switched off (DRL on), the highbeams only work when pulled. When the headlights are switched on, the highbeam switch works like a switch, on until you pull it again to turn them off.
        The instrument panel lights only work when the headlight switch is turned on, either parking lights or headlights. Above the headlight switch is the cluster brightness switch and should be set at about 80% brightness to save the bulbs from burning out.
        Dealers sell 850 manuals for around $25. Or go to http://www.volvocars.us/NR/exeres/56FFA9AB-A0D2-4E56-B982-A0003C98D68B.htm
        Which is owners info, fill in your email address, register, then go to owners library and find the owner's manual.

        Klaus
        --
        The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)







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