Winter, early nights and lights on. The usual story: you park up, lock up and go off.

But you forgot to turn off our lights. No good!

I'm always doing this. So I rang up Volvo to ask why there was no warning buzzer.

"But there is" says the VovloMan. "Oh yea? " says I, "So how do I activate it?"...

"You got to reprogram the control unit"

"And?"

"It costs £60 plus tax (17.5%)" [about $145 in real money]

"S#d that, good bye"... click...

Out comes the tool kit, spare parts and the manual...

1 relay,
1 12v buzzer
1 earthing strap
1 lead from the tail light/number plate light fuse
1 lead from the cabin 12v supply fuse
2 diods PURELY for safety

Hey presto, problem solved in less than 1 hour and $140 saved...

POWER TO THE PEOPLE (especially brickies...

Andy
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Flame Trap UK

Here in the U.S., our lights (at headlight position) can't be left on if the engine is turned off. You can leave your parking lights on (light switch set to parking lights) for safety if you have to leave your car lit for safety (e.g., parked alongside the road), but if your switch is set for the headlight position, all the lights will go off when you shut down the engine. This has been the case for all Volvos here since the '86-on 240s.

In Canada we've had daytime running lights for quite a while, and the headlights in my '98 S70 automatically turn off with the car, whatever position the light swith is in. Idiot-proof (seems we need that more here...).
So I leave the headlight switch in the "on" position full time.

I think the USA version of the V70, at least for 1999, automatically turns the lights off when the ignition in off. I'd better check again....

In USA 2001+ it'll turn them off if your switch is set to DRL. DRL pretty much behaves as "lights on" (the only difference between DRL switch position and "lights on" is that you can't set high beam on, only blink it). However if you set the switch to "lights on" explicitly then it won't turn them off once the engine is stopped.

A "DRL" switch, or a "DRL" position on the light switch? Where have you seen that?

Yes, I admit that the 'off' position of the lights is virtually "DRL" when you turn on the engine, in that the low beam headlights will turn on (even though the high beams won't stay on, but only allow flashing), but only while the engine is on. But even if you turn the switch to "headlights" (in which case your can have your high beams work), the headlights will still turn off when you turn off the engine (at least, that's the case in all the cars Volvos I've owned from model year '93 to 2007). The only way you can leave any lights on with the engine off is by turning the light switch to "parking" lights.

"DRL position" on the switch is what I meant.

I stand corrected - you're right about the headlights, they go off with engine off in any position. My bad, haven't switched from "DRL position" for like five years, I guess. ;-)

re: "...haven't switched from "DRL position" for like five years, I guess. ;-) ...."

If you only drive in the city, I guess I can understand that.

But if you live in suburbs or rural areas, haven't you ever felt the need to put on your high beams, to have some earlier warning by seeing deer or other animals that may jump in front of your car? or other dangers such as a pothole or other road debris? Driving at night at suburban speeds, I'm sure you know that low beams don't illuminate far enough ahead to give much warning.

With the headlight switch as you've been leaving it, your high beams don't work (except for brief signaling/flashing). But as long as you're considerate of others and dip (switch back to low beams) for oncoming drivers, you're much safer with a reasonable use of high beams.

I've followed drivers who refuse to put on their high beams on otherwise empty roads, seeing much the same as they do, and I'm amazed at how they can stand being virtually "blind" as they drive along with only a mere few seconds of warning time.

So may I suggest to you to try them out? You may actually like them :-)

Talking of deer...

I was driving back to London from the south coast through Ashdown Forest by night, in our 850 T5 GLT with full beam on, doing about 45mph...

First time ever - I saw two deer crossing the road 1/4 mile ahead and slowed down.

As I reached the point where the animals crossed, suddenly a third deer sprang across the road and WHAMMED into the side of the car. Bang! Some noise, and shock.

I stopped some 150 yards further, to inspect the damage and see if the animal was OK thinking to call for help...

Not a single sign of deer or damage!!! I think it must have glanced off.

Just as well as less than a week later, the car's new owner came to pick it up and drove away delighted by a bargain beautiful car.

Any one out there got similar / interesting driving experiences you want to share?

Cheers

Andy
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Flame Trap UK

re: "...Any one out there got similar / interesting driving experiences you want to share?..."

Here in New Jersey -- i.e., in the "colonies", not the island off U.K.'s coast :-), or is that "the Isle of Jersey"? -- we have a lot of deer -- I think it's the highest deer density of any state. Anyway, anyone here has seen a lot of deer on the roadways, and I've had my several really close calls with them (thankfully, in good handling Volvos), but here's a story:
Almost always, the time to see and have close calls with deer is at twilight or evening hours, but this was in broad daylight, close to noon. I was driving along on a one-way road (actually the ramp off a divided highway) at about 50 mph following two cars, and as we entered a left curve (which allowed me a clear view of the incident), the first car passed a pillar supporting a bridge when suddenly, a deer running full-bore ran out from behind the pillar (no chance for anyone to have seen it). The first car (some small one with a low hood line) scooped it up and the deer slid up over the hood and roof, and landed, spinning, on the hood of the second car; it then barrel-rolled up and over that car, too. Since I saw everything from the time it hit the first car, I was braking hard, and fully stopped before I became the third car to hit it. So, right in front of me, the deer got up and bolted (still in the same original direction) into the woods, seemingly none the worse.
A very acrobatic deer! I was prepared to expect that it had broken legs (at least from the first car, but I think it was in a mid-air leap (legs curled up) when it was scooped by the first car's hood. Actually, I don't know how it kept on the two cars (momentum pushing it transversely across the road), but that's what happened. Astonishing.
But the astonishing thing was the lack of serious damage, as I saw when we all stopped together for a breather (and a "would you believe that?" pow-wow)! No windshields (windscreens, that is) cracked, and no serious dents. The first car had visible scuff marks in the paint on the hood and roof, and same with the second car, which also suffered a broken off side-view mirror.

Another couple of times, in my Volvos, I had to swerve (what Volvo calls a "moose maneuver", I think) out of lane to avoid a deer that suddenly jumped into the road from cover, too close to stop. Thankfully, the car's understeer (and the second time, IPD's antisway bars as well) kept the car stable and under control.

And a third example, I'm driving to work on a country lane in the pre-dawn hours, and on a left curve in the road while doing about 30+ mph on four studded snow tires I suddenly find a buck (antlers prominant) coming from the right side and running alongside my car neck-and-neck, trying to accelerate and pass in front of me! Immediately, I decide that I'm not letting him pass me in front (e.g., what if he then decides to stop one foot in front of me?!!!) and I push in the button (AW70) to downshift and hold my own against his increasing efforts! Finally, after a few seconds (or years, depending on who's counting) he drops back and crosses the road behind me instead!

Finally, a reason to always have a camera with you. Picture a very cold, winter early morning, as I'm driving along a largely deserted road to get the morning newspapers. As I round a curve, a magnificant buck, in hoary gray (from frost? or age?) fur, with a huge rack, is standing tall and stationary in the middle of the road in front of me, staring at me with wild eyes and huge frosty breaths coming out of flared nostrils. I slow to a stop, and he's just glaring at me like I was a mere spike buck! He's holding the pose, and I'm dying -- no camera! What a magnificant picture this would have made.

Best regards,

Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for sharing these... shame about the camera; there most be a moral there!

We have a strange law in this country - something to do with Royal Privilege I think, were, if you hit something (i.e. road kill) you may not stop and pick it up, but anyone following you can pick it up...

So one day I'm bombing down a country road going to work and hit a pheasant.
So, I turn around, go back a quarter mile, turn again and OH WOW WHAT'S THIS in the middle of the road? Better stop and remove it.

Pheasant is best pot-broiled very slow and in a quart of cider. YYYYUUUUMMMMMMY



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Flame Trap UK

I live in rather dense suburb where there's always either car before you within 100 yards (even at 2 AM) or traffic signal gives enough light etc etc. Whenever I really need high beam it's only for 3-5 seconds to estimate the curve radius etc... I just push it. Blinding oncoming traffic is more of an issue here. ;-)

re: "...Blinding oncoming traffic is more of an issue here. ;-) ..."

Glad you use the high beams prudently and considerately -- at my age, bright-to-dark vision adjustment comes slowly, and abusers are a particular gripe of mine (along with those kids who use fog lights aimed too high (even more than those ahead (in my lane) not using high beams when they should :-).

Regards,

Ken, I think he is just confused. With the light switch off and DRLs on, he will not get any instrument lights.
As far as using the high beams, I seldom get to any roads where traffic allows me to use the high beams for more than a few seconds. That is why I switched lenses to E codes, a much better light pattern.
BTW, I have switched the DRLs off on both of my cars. Most of my driving is on multi lane roads with limited access. I turn on my lights whenever I get on country 2 lane roads.

I am sorry to hear that the Brits have to endure dead batteries because they forget to turn off the lights during the daylight hours.

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

Klaus - HI! Good to read your comment.

Question... what's this about E code lenses?

Most Brits are pretty inconsiderate on the road and either blind you or don't bother with proper lights at all.

Personally, I prefer not to inconvenience other drivers, cyclists, bikers, pedestrians etc because it costs nothing and makes everything much safer.

Moreover, my friendly Volvo mechanic suggested driving on side-lights during daylight hours is less wasteful.

Andy
--
Flame Trap UK

Our wonderful government used to regulate our lights and beam patterns a long time ago. All headlights needed to be seal beamed, meaning the bulb and reflector had to be one unit, to keep the dust out or some other silly reason.

Some time in the 1980's our DOT (dept of transportation) relented and allowed bulbs to be replaced without replacing the entire light fixture. But, the light pattern was still the same, lots of diffusion and terrible for seeing down the road or in fog.

The E code lenses are "european" flat cut off light patterns. They give a lot of light from the top of the hood down with very little diffusion above that point. Very similar to the new xenon headlights, but not quite as bright.

We have a lot of white tail deer in Minnesota. About 25 or so in our little neighborhood, and watching out for them is required. They drive the pet dogs crazy! I haven't had one hit me yet, but the odds are getting better every year.

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

re: "...That is why I switched lenses to E codes, a much better light pattern...."

I wholeheartedly agree: since the early 1970's, I've used Cibie e-codes in my "sealed-beam" designed cars; and since more-recently owning non-sealed beam-styled cars (i.e., my '93 240s) I've also promptly spent the high costs of putting in Euroheadlights. I just can't feel safe at night (driving as I do in suburban/rural roads) without their assymetrical low-beam cutoffs. But don't fail to acknowledge the superiority of these lamps' high-beams, too! They're extraordinary even with mere 55/60W H4s* compared to any sealed beams, and living where I do**, I have ample opportunity to use them properly. :-)

[ * On my wife's car (with Euroheadlights) as well as all my earlier cars with e-codes, I've only used ordinary 55/60 H4s -- they're more than adequate. But on my own car (also with Euros) now, I've finally upgraded to using 80/100 H4s with 10 gauge wiring and relays -- a bit overkill, but since I drive a bit faster than my wife, a bit more reassuring on our local roads.]
[ ** with many dead deer (and other wildlife) strewn along the roads as ample proof of the dangers here. Thus, my inclination to suggest using high beams wereever and whenever feasible to provide earlier warning of what's farther ahead.]

Best regards,

Not confused at all. Instrument cluster is always lit up.

Yes, that is exactly how the light switch in my wife's 1999 V70 behaves.

way to go.feels good doesn't it.

I've left my sidelights on by accident a few times and completely flattened the battery. This will not do it any good discharging a battery that far. I have been meaning to wire a buzzer across the door and light circuits to warn me they are still on. Must do it one year LOL. I have fitted HIDs and disabled the DRL by bending pin 54b(IIRC) on the headlight relay.
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Tek

Hey Tek,

As I say, its easy, cheap AND effective.

I've done this to all my vehicles since 1989.

Let me know if I can help.

Cheers

Andy
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Flame Trap UK

HI FT UK. That's a lot of passive components just to make a buzzer go. In my previous cars it was a case of tap a feed off the sidelight supply to the buzzer and then tap a feed off the door switch, (which normally switched to earth) et voila!
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Tek