Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 10/2004 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

posted by  whitedavidp on  Mon Oct 25 05:11 CST 2010
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
[RELATED]

This is a continuation of my older thread which is now read-only. See
for the history.

I have followed the advice of Art and others. I found that the connector behind the headlamp was somehow melted and this seemed to have caused a connection problem. I cut out the connector and replaced it with some fully insulated, crimp-on spade connectors. This immediately restored my headlight function.

But a mystery still remains for me. Seems like since I did this, the bulb failure warning light comes on when the headlights are turned on. However, I not that: (a) This only happens when the engine is running and (b) When the high beams are turned on, the bulb warning light goes out.

I have checked all the other bulbs on the car and they seem to be working just fine. I suppose I can learn to live ignoring this but I would rather see if I can resolve this issue. So thanks for any suggestions.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

    posted by  B.C. on  Mon Oct 25 15:40 CST 2010
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Wed Mar 28 22:28 CST 2012
    [RELATED]

    However, I note that: (a) This only happens when the engine is running and (b) When the high beams are turned on, the bulb warning light goes out.

    For the above:
    (a) The Bulb Failure Warning System relay is operative only with the engine running. The key in Position II with engine not running is the bulb test position, including the bulb failure light.
    (b) The BFWS checks only the low beams, rear marker lights and three brake lights.

    The BFWS relay trips when one of the pairs of lights has a current draw on one side unequal to that of the other side (rights side vs left side.)

    Other posts have what you need - replacing in pairs, checking for good grounds, etc.

    Good Luck,

    Bob

    :>)







  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

    posted by  Chris Mullet on  Mon Oct 25 05:45 CST 2010
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Missmatched (or one older and one newer) headlamps can trigger the bulb failure indicator, even though both headlamps are functioning. I'm seeing that situation on my mother-in-law's 740 right now. One of the headlamps burned out and I only replaced that one. Now the new one is slightly brighter than the old one on the opposite side, and the bulb failure indicator is illuminated.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

      posted by  whitedavidp on  Mon Oct 25 06:01 CST 2010
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Thanks for the response. Interesting. This certainly is the case with mine. One low beam headlamp is certainly newer than the other. I will check them out for differing brightness. David








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

        posted by  Chris Mullet on  Mon Oct 25 08:51 CST 2010
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        My fear would be that even if one is not noticably brighter than the other, they still may be drawing enough different amperage to trigger the warning. You may end up having to replace both sides with two new (matching) bulbs. I notice they are starting to sell them that way.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

          More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

          posted by  whitedavidp on  Mon Oct 25 09:23 CST 2010
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Thanks. I had not noticed the change in selling habits. How odd all this seems to be. David








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

            More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

            uid 27's pic
            posted by  Art Benstein on  Tue Oct 26 04:33 CST 2010
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            I had not noticed the change in selling habits.

            David, I think the responses are for the capsule bulbs coming two-to-a-pack, like 9004 headlamps, not your glass sealed beams. Advice is still good, to replace in pairs, but I haven't seen anyone try to package sealed beams in pairs.
            --
            Art Benstein near Baltimore

            "You can observe a lot just by watchin'."








            •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

              More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

              posted by  whitedavidp on  Tue Oct 26 04:37 CST 2010
              Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
              last visit: Fri May 23 10:44 CST 2014
              [RELATED]

              Thanks Art. That makes sense to me now.








              •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

                Oooops - Sorry 200

                posted by  Chris Mullet on  Thu Oct 28 08:54 CST 2010
                Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
                last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014
                [RELATED]

                I didn't know you had sealed beams. You're right, two to a package would be pretty wierd.

                However, the problem I outlined with the mother-in-law's 89 740 IS with sealed beams. I guess I should take another new bulb over to her house and see if I can get the warning light to extinguish. But then she puts me to work changing light bulbs all over the house as I'm her tallest relative.








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            More Bulb Failure Light When Headlamps are Turned On 200

            posted by  james_a_sousa on  Tue Oct 26 04:06 CST 2010
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            Whenever I lose a headlight bulb, I replace both if I do not have a used spare.

            After I replace both, I keep the used one as a spare, that way, when one of the "new" bulbs lets go, I can kind of match it with a used partner.

            Since we have 3 850s, I have a spare headlight bulb inventory.
            --
            '96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '95 855, '95 854, the first three are mine, heh, heh, 485,000 miles put on 9 bricks







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.