One night I turned on the headlights. The right (low beam) headlight failed and the bulb failure light came on in the dash. Shortly thereafter, I bought a halogen sealed beam headlight and replaced the failed one with the new one. However, the bulb failure light still comes on when the headlights are on (low beam, not high beam), even though both headlights work. All other exterior lights work, and the bulb failure light does not come on when just the parking lights are on.

Could it be just that the two sealed beam headlights are now slightly different and that could be causing the bulb failure light to light up? Would replacing the left headlight with the same type as the new right headlight fix it?

It is a US-model 1982 245 with the four rectangular sealed beam headlights.

Yes...and it could even be something else other than the headlight...could be a failed signal/running/brake light.

hi there,

when replacing headlights, its best to do both at the same time. otherwise the voltage difference between the old and the new headlights makes the warning light come on. (a recent post explained this phenomenon more completely than i am).


so if you replace the older one, that should turn off the 'idiot light'.

good luck

susan.
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Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)