I was driving on a rural road a few weeks ago, and when I turned on my high beams, I noticed that only one side seemed to be working. Since I don't often drive outside the city,and I was planning to go into the dealer soon anyway (my thermostat was starting to fail), I thought I'd wait, and have them pop in new bulb. When I went in yesterday, we discovered that the bulb was fine, but the high beam was aimed down to below the level of the low beam. After what seemed like everyone in the shop had a crack at re-aiming the high beam, I was told that it could not be re-aimed. Its position was fixed. The whole thing would have to be replaced. A Volvo rep. will look at it to see if a free replacement is possible. The dealer claims its not a warranty item. Has any one out there had a similar experience? If they don't replace it free of charge is it possible to fix it? A brand new headlight assembly can't be cheap. Thanks for any imput.

Koz.

Kosmas-

The bulbs are tricky to install correctly in the S/V/C 70 series headlights. The H7 bulb has a locating tab that goes at the top and a wire bail that retains the bulb in the reflector. Both halves of the bail must be clipped into the retaining hooks. If the bulb is not installed correctly, the light is directed/focused incorrectly, usually way high. The low and high reflectors are one piece and adjusted as a unit. If the low beam is aimed correctly, most likely the problem with the high beam is bulb orientation/installation.

Dave the Volvo Tech

'99 V70R AWD, '93 854 GLT, '82 242 DL

Dave,

Firstly, thanks for your reply, and Bob for yours as well. What you said about bulb instalation being tricky got me thinking. About two months ago, I replaced the low beam bulb on that side. It was getting dark, and the temp. was below freezing (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). After instalation, I noticed that the beam was aimed quite high. Thinking I had somehow jarred something off kilter, I re-aimed the beam. Since it was too dark to see the level indicator, I just loweed the beam till it was even with the other side.

After reading your message and going out to check, I've found out that I did exactly what you said. I missed one of the retaining hooks, and aimed the beam too high (higher than the high beam!). When I lowered it to match the other side, I in turn lowered the high beam to below the level of the low beams. After re-installing and re-aiming my low beam, all was well.

I'm surprized that they did't catch it the dealership, at least four guys had a try at fixing it. The big clue was that the level indicator was way off on that side. If both sides were leveled, it would have been apparent that the problem was with the low, not the high beam. O well, it was my mistake that started it all, so I really can't complain.

Thanks again.

Koz.

I have seen several S/V 70 headlights where the reflector assembly inside the housing has popped off of the ball sockets that keep in in the proper position. It should be possible to remove the retainer clips that hold on the lens, remove lens, and reattach the reflector assembly to it's retainers. Have'nt tried it but seems possible. If this is indeed the case with yours, and there are no external signs of impact or other broken components, I would press the dealer to repair it under warranty. This is not normal wear and tear but defective workmanship/ material on the part of the lamp manufacturer. These lamps run around $300.00 US + labor.

I agree with bob, sometimes if you take off the cover for the high beam bulb (in the back) you can see where the du da has come off the thig a ma jig, fairly easy to pop back on.

Excuse me but the correct spelling is "doo-dad" and "thingamajig".

Some of my words come oud dat way when I've got a colg. Y'know, a ruddy dose, etc...