Does anyone know if there are aftermarket light bulbs available for the climate control unit on a 2001 S80? The local Volvo dealer wants $12 each for these little buggers!!! And I need 4 of them! I have searched/called numerous Volvo parts websites to no avail.

There are 6 of them that are recessed into the back of the climate control unit. They are removed by turning the slot in the base with a small screwdriver 1/4 turn. The bulbs are attached to a little plastic base. Four of them have a "gray" base and the other two have a "white" base. I need the four gray ones. There does not appear to be a way to seperate the bulb from the plastic base (I tried) -- it is one unit.

The bulbs also have a teeny-weeny little blue plastic sleeve on them, presumably to dim them a bit. The bulb and base is 1/2 inch long, measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the bulb.

Any help greatly appreciated.


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2001 S80 2.9 (non-turbo), 115K miles

After a lot of research on the internet, I found some aftermarket bulbs that are drastically cheaper than the $12 each that the Volvo dealer charges (as low as 20 cents each!).

The type of these bulbs is called "neo-wedge". Neo wedge bulbs are designed to attach directly to a PCB (printed circuit board) as is the case for the Volvo ECC unit (climate control unit). These neo wedge bulbs are found in many different car brands both domestic and foreign and are massed produced by the zillions. There is no reason in the world why Volvo needs to charge $12 a piece for these things...ridiculous!

The ones you need have a 10mm base. Here are three places to get them cheap!

1. http://autolumination.com/74.htm

Scroll way down to where you will see the below:

Type B Neo - Wedge Instrument Panel Bulbs are 10mm (3/8") diameter x 12mm (1/2") high
Blue Red Amber Green Purple
Order Neo Wedge Based Incandescent Bulbs (shown above): $1.49 ea.

2. http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/LP-70/14V-NEO-WEDGE-BASE-LAMP/1.html

Note: 14V bulbs are designed for automotive applications with a 12V system
20 cents each from this place.

3. http://www.opamp-electronics.com/catalog/14v-80ma-neowedge-base-incandescent-lamp-pack-p-1191.html

A 5-pack is 99 cents from this place.

Hope this helps!!!

One word of caution...when removing and unplugging the climate control unit and bulbs, be sure to disconnect the battery for 20 minutes beforehand. I have heard if you don't do this it will screw up the on-board computer and then it must be reprogrammed by a Volvo dealer for lots of $$$.

Also, when you reconnect the battery and if you find that some things don't work anymore (like the door locks, sun roof, and/or other power accessories), then you must reset the electrical system by locking and unlocking the doors with the key in the driver's door 5 times in a row. Then everything will work again. I have to do this pretty much every time I disconnect the battery.

Good luck.
G Squared







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2001 S80 2.9 (non-turbo), 115K miles

Thank you, thank you!! A great writeup and big help for all of us.
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My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

Try your local HONDA dealer :)

Klaus
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Volvoless. Its been 90 days...

Dash/accessory bulbs used to cost about ¢.89 a piece. Starting about 1989 many of the dash bulbs on my volvo 240 began costing like $6+ each. I found I could get a handful of them at the junkyard for a couple bucks, usually free if was getting something else. It helps if they allow you to walk the yard and pull them yourself.