I Recently bought a v70 2.4 from the dealer here in Florida. This was a 2002 left over and I am interested in putting on a set of factory fog lights and was wondering if there is connections for the wires in the wiring harness or if I would have to run new wires from the lights to the switch on the dash. Not having a wiring schematic or a shop manual where does one go on the Internet for factory parts and manuals for a reasonable price? Just thought I'd ask after reading your helpful post on wiring trailer harness and thanks for your time…

Yes, the wiring should be already in place. You can remove the two plastic inserts and 2-pin connectors should be securely attached to mounting points behind the bumper. If you buy the factory fog light kit, it includes the 2 lamp assemblies, a switch (mounts in the headlight switch assembly), a fuse, and a relay. You also have to visit your dealer for a software download to activate. The installation is not a difficult DIY job, but you need a flexible shaft Torx driver to affix some of the lamp assembly mounting screws easily. The entire headlamp switch assembly pushes out from the rear, and has just one connector. I removed it to mount the fog light switch (much easier than trying to do it in the vehicle).

If you are adding fog lights for appearance, you will be happy. If you are adding them to improve visibility at the sides of the roadway, you will be dissapointed. The factory lamp mounting point is recessed to far to direct any light to the sides. You would be better off to cut the plastic inserts and mount good quality aftermarket lamp assemblies (and save money to boot). DavidM is an expert regarding the best aftermarket lights to suit your driving needs. I would buy whatever he recommends.

I have the V70 factory wiring diagrams and can send you jpg images as e-mail attachments.

Finally, as DavidM advises, you can bypass some or all of the factory wiring, and avoid the expense of the software download. I took this approach because I wanted to be able to use the fog lights independent of the head lights. I replaced the single rear fog light (which I never used in the 4 years I owned an S70) with 2 additional tail lights, one on each side (the wires and sockets were already there). I prefer hazard flashers to a single bright tail light for visibility by other drivers when driving in a thick fog; I don't want truckers to think my S80 is a motorcycle. I ran a wire from the rear fog light socket to a point behind the instrument panel, where I added a $5 relay. From there I plugged into the factory relay socket with standard 1/4" blade connectors to "tap in" to the factory connector wiring and fused power feed. I now use the rear foglight switch to turn on the front fog lights. A nice Volvo feature is a yellow indicator that appears on the instrument panel when the fog lights are on. With the factory arrangement, you don't have this. I can send drawings and instructions if you elect to go this route.

n0v8or@cox.net

Hey nOv8or…
Crawled under the front end this morning and seen both connections under the bumper. Looked like they were installed into a dead end jack (plastic). Figuring not much to an install of the lights, so I pulled off the fuse panel for a quick look at the switch. Not being able to see much without my mirror I just snapped on the cover and hoped someone would have more info when I came into work to check on the Internet. I would have never figured a program to install via computer software to operate a set of fog lights. What are they thinking?? Having just come from Alaska and all the darkness I still have a set of PIAA 60’s, but still leaning on the factory. Just feel the 60’s are toooo much. You had mention they are for appearance only. Can understand your description of this set up and was wondering if these just snap in or do they have some type of adjustment?


Great tip on the fog light conversion and would be grateful for that there file attachment. Still not having a wiring schematic or a shop manual where does one go on the Internet for factory parts and manuals for a reasonable price?? And thanks everyone for the quick response….Homebrew

What are you trying to accomplsih? If you're looking for better night lighting and your car doesn't have E-code lenses, I'd start there. Also get European spec halogens (such as Philips VisionPlus or Hella LightPower) to add 50% more light output. This combination will make an *enormous* difference, and it will render meaningless the deficiencies of the OEM foglights if you'd still like to add them. If money's no object, upgrade to HID's and get Mercedes-grade lighting. (The Volvo E-codes are outstanding.)

Today, Volvo's OEM foglights are designed to achieve two objectives: cosmetic appearance, and oncoming visibility. I suppose they also provide under-the-drizzle illumination, but on US-delivery Volvos, the foglights only work when the headlights are on thus negating this benefit. Aftermarket top end foglights provide up to 180 degree sweep of light, more even pattern of illumination, and a lot of light intensity beneath the horizontal cut-off.

In the US, saddled as we are by inferior DOT lighting standards, this makes the highly-recessed Volvo OEM foglights less useful than in Europe where current E-code lenses disperse light to the sides of the roads. Get behind a BMW, Audi or Mercedes at night and notice all the light they have beside the car! Prior to the current ECE (E-code) specifications, this was primarily accomplished with auxiiliary lighting such as foglights, cornering lights, etc.

If you're looking for foglights to reach their full potential, only aftermarket lights will get the job done. There are plenty of high-quality performers that will fit snugly into the airdam openings, and adapting the mounting point is usually not difficult. With n0v8or's help, you can patch into the OEM wiring harness and switch to gain independent control of the new lights - you can run them as DRL's and save wear and tear on headlamps, tail lights and instrument panel bulbs.

Should you decide throw caution to the winds, Hella has just announced auxilliary lights that use accelerometers to detect your turning radius and re-direct the light accordingly.

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David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)

David;

Where did you get the E-Code headlamps and how did you get them installed?

Rich

Hey DavidM..
What I would like to accomplish is good lighting while driving at night. You suggested E-code lights and bulbs. Being new to this manufacture, I just was thinking fogs might be the way to go due to the option being there. I am looking for that *enormous* difference you talked about and with Money’s always being the object especially with this car payment,I feel this can happen. Thanks for the information and the help from n0v8or.

So where’s the best place to get these Lenses and bulbs??

Again thanks for your help….Homebrew

First, go look at the bottom of your headlight. In the row of numbers and letters is there an (E) or (E2) in a circle? Or do you see a US DOT embossed in the glass?

I checked only to see DOT. Any suggestions where to buy?? Thanks for your time.

I got e-codes from Precision Volvo, in Mass. 978.948.7778. Independent shop. I also think Borton Volvo sells them, a dealership, at a fair price. About $250/pair.
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David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)

Homebrew,
You noticed that Volvo does a nice job of protecting the optional fog light connectors from corrosion or damage; they don't just leave them hanging there. A clear advantage of the factory lamp assemblies is that the mounting points already exist, so installation is straightforward (though the top screws may be a challenge unless you have a flexible Torx driver). The factory lamp assemblies also include vertical and horizontal beam adjustment screws. If you decide to use aftermarket lamps, you will have to design and make some sort of adapter or bracket (I did this on my S70; not that hard), and cut off the factory connectors.

My comment about the factory fog lamps being primarily for appearance reflects my personal opinion, not Volvo's intent. I like to use fog lamps not only in the fog, but on country roads to light the edge where roaming deer and racoons suddenly jump into your path. The factory fog lights are fine as an aid to oncoming drivers seeing you, but do not meet my expectations overall. Does this mean they are inferior? No, it just means that my personal needs differ from what Volvo intended to accomplish. City and Autobahn drivers have different priorities. The reason we have such a huge after-purchase market for non-replacement parts is that many drivers like to personalize their vehicle to match their preferences. Volvo designed the S80/V70 features as a compromise to attract buyers in all of the entire world's markets; they cannot be faulted for not satisfying everyone. The choice of OEM or aftermarket lamps is your decision. If you prefer to avoid the hassle of customized mounting, then the factory lamps are probably the way to go.

As far as needing a software download to activate the function, in the future this will be common to most cars. 25 years ago, who would have thought most cars today would require a separate computer to operate the engine, transmission, and brakes? As the use of the technology matures, you will be able to download the software over the internet yourself, or perhaps at the "cyber counter" at your local Pep Boys store. For now, it's Volvo-proprietary.

For many years, Volvo has not made a comprehensive shop manual available to individual buyers. I can only speculate on the reasons. They operate a web site (www.volvotechinfo.com) where you can purchase wiring diagrams and service bulletins. They are expensive. Eventually, once their are several hundred thousand of a model in service, the market size will stimulate Chilton's or Haynes to publish a manual. For this very reason, I would never own a Volvo that is out of warrantee. Unless Volvo perceives their policy is limiting new car sales (I do not think it is today), they have no incentive to change it.

There are several dealers in the USA that sell factory parts (such as filters, brake pads, and spark plugs) by mail order at a discount. Volvoparts.com and Borton Volvo are two that I am aware of. I purchased replacement cabin filters and brake pads from Borton.

Send me a message at n0v8or@cox.net, and I will reply with images attached.

The car is pre-wired however it needs software DLd from the dealers PC or it won't work.

We're talking about a new car, not some old beater so why not do it how it was designed to work and avoid network problems, false codes, etc........which is likely to occur if done incorrectly.

You'll return no codes because you'll have a completely independent wiring system. Power goes from battery to lights. The relay tap draws no noticeable current. The entire system is 'off the grid' as they say in Wyoming.

To answer your question as to WHY: 1) so the driver can operate the foglights independently of the headlights. Stock Volvo setup is foglights on when the headlights are on, period. But I like to run them as DRLs, sometimes in conjunction with parking lights....in a Volvo you have to hardwire your own circuit to accomplish this. (I'm doing this with OEM foglights and switch.) 2) Volvo OEM foglights look good, but on the new models they're far too recessed to be of any practical use, they're more of a decoration. 3) Becausue running foglights (or any lights) from a computer is needless, electronic trickery. You know how we're replacing $400 ABS modules in our S70's? Wait till you're replacing $600 modules because the lights won't work!