posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Thu Dec 20 18:11 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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Seems the low beam light on my 2001 V70 T5 burn out fairly quick, but this is the 1st time I've had a car that runs 100% of the time on lights. I seem to be averaging about 14 to 16 months between replacements. I'm currently running Sylvania Silverstar for what I thought was the brightest light I could find. However in some other threads I've seen some mention of other options I've not heard of. At about $20 a pop at the local auto parts store, I'd be interested in hearing how others have found good substitutes, and how long they are lasting and the cost.
01 V70 T5 (88K), 69 F100 (210K original), 59 Healey Sprite heavily modified to 150HP
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I'm a strong supporter of DRLs (I wrote an article on how to incorporate them in early 240s, in an issue of Rolling, Sep/Oct '87, pg 7).
Yet I've never liked the idea of using headlights -- at least, my headlights, because I always used more expensive H4s in either the Cibie e-codes that I've used since the 1970s or, later on my '86-on cars, Euroheadlights (as seen below).
So in my latest 240, the '93 shown below, I installed my DRLs in the front as a combination of LED-converted parking lights (my Rolling article, March/April 2007, pp 34-5, 37) and (to be even more noticeable) LED truck (rectangular) turn signals installed in the front grille.
It really catches the eyes of lazy/inattentive drivers, using a minimum of electricity. Perhaps a little "garish"? But I feel safer, and I won't burn out my Euroheadlights' H4 bulbs as soon, and will have them for when I really need them -- at night, when you want your headligths!
And it certainly isn't because of the cost of the headlights -- I could buy a lot of H4s for the cost of this 1 pair of LED truck lights, let alone the time and cost of fabricating the LED parking lights! It was just to save the headlight bulbs for when they're needed!
Regards,
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Thu Jan 17 09:14 CST 2008 [ RELATED]
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This is the final post to the issue of the short life low beams. It was suggested that there may be voltage spikes present causing the premature failure. In an attempt to determine if this was true I attached a digital voltmeter to the low beam fuse (left dash panel, I think the number one fuse). From there I ran the positive to the meter, and grounded the meter at the bolt at the bottom of the area of the fuse area on the door piller.
Immediately after starting voltage read about 13.8 volt with variation of about .1. With time the voltage would drop to 13.5 again with about .1 variation. Thus said, if there are voltage spikes, they are too fast for my meter to see, and I would guess not matter to a "light bulb's" service fife.
Again thanks to all members who contributed to the discussion, your input was much appreciated.
Jester
2001 V70 T5, and a now gone 1973 P1800ES (370K).
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While Silverstar bulbs are brighter than normal, they do burn out faster. If you want better light at night, I suggest looking for headlight cannisters with a flat beam cutoff rather than brighter bulbs which just cause more glare.
HID is also an option, but with your current beam pattern I wouldn't want to use the brighter lights in fog or snow.
Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Fri Dec 21 11:57 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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Actually I'm getting about the same life as the OEM the car came with in using Silverstars. Where can you get the flat beam cut off you mentioned. I drove an TSX Accura that had that and liked it, but it also had HID.
KSG make an excellent comment on the voltage. I've checked the system a few times, but not a long study. His comments on transiant voltage spikes has me interested in how one could tell if that is happening. I have both digital and analog meters, but would think the digital would be hard to read (although I've never hooked it up, I've only checked with the analog one) and it was well within what was expected (although I can't now remember the readings I got). I guess I'll check that out one more time, and report the results.
Jerry
01 V70 T5 and a now gone P1800ES (370K) :-((
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posted by
someone claiming to be MittenHed
on
Fri Dec 21 12:03 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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My 01 V70 was recalled due to a headlight life problem. There is, I think, some rewiring that was done. Since the upgrade, my bulb life has been much better. Check the records on the car. If the upgrade has not been done you may be able to solve the problem my favorite way. Zero dollars, zero time, clean hands.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Fri Dec 21 16:09 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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Thanks MittenHed for the comment on the recall. Interesting that the factory never notified me and I am the original owner. Most likely the comments from BG were accurate in that they probably just add a small resistor to decrease the voltage at the bulb some. Hay, it makes sense to me! I might experiment in adding a small resistor myself to drop voltage say .5 volt and see what happens or see what the dealer has to say. MittenHed, do you have the recall notice number?
'01 V70 T5 and a now gone P1800ES with 370K (dang I miss that car)!
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I don't have the recall nunmber. It was from maybe, 03, after I'd burned out a bunch of headlights. Never noticed a decrease in lighting. I had thought that the change minimized voltage surges rather than cut operating voltage.
--
01 V70 2.4 M5 and a Mini
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Sat Dec 22 13:08 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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Thanks again MittenHed, if the solution was to fix voltage spikes, then this would be an excellent solution. All I can do is ask the local dealership! Anyone know where you can get a listing of all applicable recalls for the applicable vehicle? I'll look around some tonight and see.
Jester
01 V70 T5 and a now gone P1800ES (370K) :-((
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posted by
someone claiming to be BG
on
Tue Dec 25 05:29 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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I found the letter that Volvo Cars of North America sent us about the headlights. It was dated May 2001. It applied to 1998-2000 S70, V70, and C70 cars and certain 2001 C70 coupes and convertibles. There is no recall number. Odd that Volvo did not contact you if you are the original owner. If you moved, maybe they did not record your new address when you wrote to update your registration.
Take a look at the NHSTA web page for recalls for all cars sold in USA.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Tue Dec 25 09:43 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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BG, thanks for going the extra distance to find what info you could on the headlight recall. Mine is a 2001 V70, so perhaps I just missed it. I did check the NHSTA sight, and Volvo's (Ford) sight, and they showed me as still needing the cooling fan fix, but I already has this done, so I guess someone forgot to update the data base.
Switching topics somewhat, I thought I remember reading on the forums that there was also a service bullitin to change the software for how the transmission acts. Can't remember too much of the details, but as I was searching around, couldn't find anything about this. I'm not having any problems, but it did get my curiosity up being able to search for other items of issue other than just NHSTA things. Has anything ever been published about the high incidents of the ABS module fialure? I know I reported mine to the NHSTA, and in seeing how often this subject comes up here, I'm surprised there has not been a recall on that item too.
Jester
01 V70 T5 and a now gone 1973 P1800ES (370K) :-((
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posted by
someone claiming to be BG
on
Tue Dec 25 15:00 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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My wife's car has manual transmission, so no need for software (except between our ears). I never heard of the fan problem, so I'm glad you mentioned it. I wonder if it applied to 1999 models? As for the ABS, you certainly do hear of the failure often. We have not suffered the failure yet, nor has the elec. throttle module malfunctioned yet.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jester
on
Tue Dec 25 16:51 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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The Fan Recall goes by Recall 141 per Volvo, or R24051 per the Ford linked Volvo recall sight. Not sure what years are applicable, so you might want to check further.
Per some service receipts I had they did the throttle when it was in for the 60K service, but up to that point I had not had problems. In fact the only problem I had was the ABS. Yea, I did have a power steering leak that took 3 tries under warrenty to finally fix, but since they fixed it no cost, who am I to complain, other than the small inconvenience of leaving the car there and getting a loaner. So far so good with this this car. I'll drive it forever if I can. Hay, I got 370K from my P1800ES unitl it was destroyed in a crash due to a steering failure that was undetected damage from a previous small fender bender.
Jester
01 V70 T5 and a now gone 1973 P1800ES (370K) :-((
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posted by
someone claiming to be BG
on
Fri Dec 21 12:10 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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The recall was another doofy response to complaints from users. They added a wire with possibly a resister in the circuit to reduce the voltage a nominal amount. Lower voltage = longer life = less light. The real value of the recall is that you get a set of headlight connectors in case you have to replace yours one day.
You can in effect turn off the daytime running lights by setting the headlight switch on position 2 (one click from the default position). At least that is possibly on the 1999 V70.
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posted by
someone claiming to be ksg
on
Fri Dec 21 05:01 CST 2007 [ RELATED]
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I think you guys/girls might want to check your charging systems carefully with an accurate meter for overvoltage. Do other lamps on the car burn out? Look especially for a bad ground associated with alternator/regulator/starter. Or a dry battery or poor battery terminal connections. Incandenscent lamps of all kinds can last shorter than normal with even a small overvoltage or excessive fluctuations/spikes in voltage.
I generally use a Sylvania light (on my 95-850) though I don't know the series. I think in having this car for 10 years and about 150000 miles (much city with long running and idling times with lights on) I have maybe replaced 3 or 4 headlamps total of both sides. This particular car has no history at all of charging system problems.
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My 2004 V-70 gets about 8 months/set of headloght bulbs. Use the Silverstar also. My 2002 V-70 gets about twice the headlight life-measured voltage and it is the same for both vehicles. Maybe some other bulb will last longer.
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