Volvo RWD Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 9/2008

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




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

No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence

posted by  rstarkie on  Wed Jul 18 18:52 CST 2012
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:14 CST 2014
[RELATED]

1989 240 188K

Pulling into the garage tonight at dusk I realized the headlights were not working. All the other lights are functioning just the head lights are out.

I would appreciate any help in chasing this problem. Location of relay might be a good place to start.

Thanks in advance.

Randy








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

    No headlights: PROBLEM RESOLVED

    posted by  rstarkie on  Sun Jul 22 20:30 CST 2012
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:14 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Thanks for everyones suggestions in chasing this problem.

    The problem was at the step relay. When I checked there I noticed a bit of heat distortion on the connector around the gray wire. I think there must have been resistance building there.

    Whatever the cause it is now fixed. Thank you everyone.

    Randy








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence

    posted by  james_a_sousa on  Thu Jul 19 19:12 CST 2012
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Easiest steps 1 &2 - Check for voltage at the bulb connector and put your supposedly good lights directly across 12 volts at the battery to check them,

    In out '88 745 GLE I found that I had 12 volts at the connector for the bulb, but no lights!

    Eventually, I found that the wires had turned into black gunk inside the insulation about 6 inches from the bulb connector. There was one copper strand left.

    I had to go to the pick and pull and replace the wires to my right headlight from the firewall to the headlight.

    --
    '96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '12 XC70, the first three are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence

    posted by  porkface on  Thu Jul 19 08:05 CST 2012
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    86-ups have a relay above the steering column. i think it's a bosch 0 332 015 011. 2x15, 5 pins. typical FOG light relay on an older 240. make sure you have 1 good bulb in it. fixed a few no headlights with 2 new bulbs. good luck, chuck.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence

    posted by  planetman on  Wed Jul 18 20:37 CST 2012
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:29 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Hello,

    Do the high beams work?
    --
    Eric
    Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
    Torrance, CA 90502








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

      No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence

      posted by  rstarkie on  Thu Jul 19 05:01 CST 2012
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:14 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      At the time I hadn't thought to check that, but going back this morning I find that the high beams do in fact work. Thanks for your response.

      Randy







      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

        uid 27's pic
        posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Jul 19 05:05 CST 2012
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Randy, the relay you seek is at your feet. You probably won't need a new relay, just a replacement connector.









        --
        Art Benstein near Baltimore

        All the trouble I've ever been in started out as fun.....








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

          No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

          posted by  rstarkie on  Thu Jul 19 08:02 CST 2012
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:14 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Bulbs are good (continuity check with meter)and I get the same behavior with a relay swap: It clicks but still no lights.

          Randy








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

            uid 27's pic
            posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Jul 19 15:31 CST 2012
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            After the main relay, which you've found to look good, the next usual suspect is the bulb failure warning switch.



            There are quick checks, and after that, then all that's left is old fashioned circuit tracing.







            --
            Art Benstein near Baltimore

            Those of us who spent our allowance at the five and dime think we are getting a bargain at the dollar store.








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

          No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

          posted by  rstarkie on  Thu Jul 19 06:33 CST 2012
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:14 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          The relay and connector are OK visually; no sign of damage.

          When I operate the light switch I can feel the relay closing.

          Last night I did a visual on one of the bulbs and it appeared to be fine and the chances of both low beams going out at the same time would seem to be a long shot. However, they have been together for quite some time... perhaps one could not face the reality of going it alone.

          I will check the bulbs and swap out the relay just to be sure.

          Randy








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

            No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

            uid 18083's pic
            posted by  lucid on  Thu Jul 19 08:05 CST 2012
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:31 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            From the Main relay (terminal 87) a Yellow wire goes into terminal 56 the Hi/Lo step relay on the left inner fender. The two outputs are:

            56b Two Red wires to headlamp High Beams

            56a ONE Gray wire back inside to the Bulb Failure Sensor relay (56b), then out to the Low Beam on two separate Blue wires.

            The 56b step relay output can also be powered internally (by a different source) when the High Beam flasher switch is operated.

            If flasher beams works OK, and the Main relay is OK (use a test light Yellow output wire), the problem would seem to be at the HI/LO relay, if both High And Low beams are out.


            --
            Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.








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

            No headlights: seeking troubleshooting sequence 200 1989

            posted by  TONY H on  Thu Jul 19 07:12 CST 2012
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 17 16:39 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            I hear that Headlights often share a longtime relationship and love lost suicide is a Real issue with them.

            Sorry I can't help, I was betting on the Burnt connector at the headlight relay

            --
            '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/







<< < > >>



©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.