My son was driving home tonight and said after exiting the turnpike headlights went out. Parking lights and tail lights come on when in parking light position; brake lights work. Nothing comes on when switch is in headlight position. High beams come on when turn signal lever is pulled, but will not stay on. Relay or switch? Where is relay panel located?

The problem was the headlight switch. The bottom plastic retainer that holds the switch together broke and the switch spread apart at the bottom and did not make contact inside.

I disassembled the switch and it was in good condition otherwise. I also removed the small rectangular cover on the bottom rear of the switch that houses another switch for the daytime running light option. I removed the long plastic actuator that turns the daytime running lights on and off, reassembled the contactor and plastic actuator so the daytime running light switch could be set from the rear. I then put a drill bit through the actuator hole and drilled a hole through the back cover.

I inserted a 6X32 screw long enough to come out through the back and put a washer and nut w/ locktite and drew the switch together. I then used a Dremmel tool to grind the washer and nut flush with the case so it would fit through the dash. It works perfectly.

This sounds more complicated than it actually was. After I figured out what to do and got everything I needed it took about 5 minutes.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Thanks for the follow up, we all learn that way! I also appreciate the creativity for the solution, sounds like something I might have done, and I'll keep it in mind for future reference!

Jerry
01 V70 T5a

The next time you come across a pick&pull, stop and get a new switch :) Your solution is pretty good, but I don't know if I would trust it for a long time.

Klaus
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Volvoless. Sold the R. There is now a void...

one other easy thing to check is the headlight relay....look on ebay for headlight relay for an example...I'm not positive, but I think it's under the fuse panel.

It's on the top section of the fuse panel, the large relay closest to the driver's fender.

Be careful with Ebay. While it is normally cheaper, it can be a headache.

Klaus
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Volvoless. Sold the R. There is now a void...

Just a quick thing to check......look to the left of the battery (standing in front of the car) and follow the wires from the right headlight to a 4" connector grid....It has a silver locking arm that locks the wiring harness from the lights into the harness on the car. If it came loose, you might have a problem like your describing, but it wouldn't affect your dash lights I don't think.

My guess would be the headlight switch, pried out with a small screwdriver under the middle of the bottom of the switch. The relays are pretty reliable. The ignition switch can develop a problem also.

Did you try "giggling" the ignition (key) and headlight switches? They often fail mechanically and will go intermittent.

Wait for a second opinion before you go buy a switch. I could be wrong and they aren't cheap.

Don