I've got a '97 850 with sandblasted headlights. I've had good luck w/ecodes in other cars, and thought I'd put them in the volvo. Haven't had any luck getting them, though, w/o outrageous money. FCP Groton is out of stock.

Anyone know who might have them?

Thanks

I got genuine Volvo Ecode lenses from Precision Auto, an excellent Volvo independent, Main St., Rowley, MA 01969, tel 781.948.7778. I think I paid about $200 for the pair about 18 mos ago.

Check with Swedish Engineering. They sent an e-code for my 1993 a few years back.

Phantom

ScanTechSweden.com is what it says on the box that FCP sent mine in. They are not leagal in the USA, of course. If your state inspects for such things, beware and don't throw away your old scratched ones.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

k,

I'm a keeper; the old one's will hang around till well after the car goes if history is any indicator ;-)

FCP is out of stock. Have you found much improvement w/your lenses? D.Stern thought that the assembly mounting for the bulb was different between the ecode and dot. He thought the ecode lense would fit, but the axis for the bulb was different.

In my saab 9-5 the difference is HUGE, but I know it's the same reflector and bulb mount in the saab.

thanks,

m

I just put them on this afternoon. Very easy, except for the outside bolt... hard to get fingers onto.

I did have to adjust the bubble to the very top, what a difference in visability! I used to live in Europe and can't stand how Americans always drove around in the dark. I CAN SEE AGAIN!

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

I have the factory Volvo E-code lens in my '95 850 (years ago from FCP...), and there's a significant improvement in overall lighting. Just replacing the lens requires re-aiming of the headlights with an eyeball or an optical aiming device like service stations use (I've only been able to find one at PepBoys locally...). Since the stock aiming bubble doesn't work with E-code lens, it will leave it way too low. I was able to ballpark the aim with a laser level, then had it fine tuned at the local PepBoys optically. The bubble level aiming mechanism is way way up off the scale. I suppose you could shim the whole headlight assembly to get it to where the bubbles would be useable, I haven't tried. Anyway, they're well worth the investment. I also use the Sylvania Silver Star bulbs in there too.




Mike
'95 850T

Mike--I found your epost unsettling. I shipped my 97 850 wagon to Norway several years ago and only recently, within the last month, did I change out my SAE lenses for e-code lenses from Volvo, and installed them along with some Sylvania Silver Stars I brought with me from the States. It never occurred to me that the bubble wouldn't work with e-code lenses. I set the lights with the bubble and nobody is high-lighting me, but I would like to set them right. If I set up a laser level to aim the lights I need to know a couple of things. Where on the car would you set the level to know that the car is level to begin with? Under the door channel? Once you've established the car is absolutely level, where and how far down the road do you aim the laser dot, or do you set the lights parallel to the road, rather than a point severeal hundred yards down the road? I really need to know, and would appreciate your advice. Email me at jadvis@lewiston.com if you would, as well as the BB for others who might have the same question. I'm writing on a borrowed computer. Thanks in advance. Dick

It's less complicated than that. Engineers! Find a wall and a place where you can back up from it for about 25 feet. Pull up to the wall so your bumper almost touches; tape a piece of paper to the wall where the bright pattern is for both lights; Trace the bright part of the beam left to right and up the 45degree angle; back the car up straight about 25 ft; now, adjust the pattern so that it is still at the same place it was when you were against the wall.

I always use a fat black majic marker on the paper, better to see. This also works for aiming the lights left and right.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

thanks for your reply. I bet the aiming is partially due to the bulb's axis relative to the lense (like stern was saying.) I'll try the other sources, too. thanks.