V70 with constant bulb failures

Frustrated · Post by **Frustrated** » 15 Mar 2005, 15:39

I am happy to have stumbled upon your forum while searching the web for Volvo complaints. I'm trying to compile some information before the warranty runs out on my 2001 V70.

I have bulb failures about every 2 months, usually a "position light". The dealer assures me this is a common problem with Volvos and that have done all they can. They disable my DRL so I can turn them off, and installed some new and improved socket (or something) that was supposed to fix the problem. This was two months ago, at which time they also replaced ALL the driving bulbs on the car. Well, yesterday..."position light failure".

Can anyone that has had this problem, or knows if it stems from a design problem please reply? I'm at my wits end with the dealer, and haven't had much help from Volvo US either. I'm trying to find out if this really is a common problem, or just a problem with my car. Any information you could give me would be helpful.

Thanks!

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 16 Mar 2005, 10:13

You're talking about your headlight bulbs, correct? It is good that they replaced the headlight switch, but another thing you may want to consider is a faulty light relay. You should be able to find it under the fuse box cover held in by 4 torx screws. Constant headlight failure is not something I've really ever heard of on these cars. You may want to also replace the lighting fuse as it could be allowing too much current from the potentially faulty lighting relay. Tell the dealer to test your lighting relay. They should use a multimeter to test the electrical specs of it versus originally specified data provided by Volvo.

Frustrated · Post by **Frustrated** » 16 Mar 2005, 11:44

Thanks so much for the reply.

Actually, it's not the headlights...it's usually a tail light or the side bulbs on the front of the car. That's why the dealer blames it on the lights being on all the time and disabled my DRL for me.

We had an 850 turbo for several years (until the turbo went) and loved it...no problems like this at all.

No one else out there with this sort of problem? Is the dealer pulling my leg by telling me this is a common issue with all new Volvos?

Post by **dosbricks** » 16 Mar 2005, 12:57

There was a recall on S70s where they replaced all the outside bulbs and sockets. They removed the plastic spade type sockets and bulbs and put in the old style round metal base bulbs and sockets like the 850s.

Our S70 was eating bulbs all the time before this. It was because the contacts in the spade sockets were to flimsy and allowed the bulbs to wiggle around and start arcing at the contacts until they carboned up or burnt out.

If you have the plactic spade sockets on your V70 and Volvo won't change them, then take out the offending bulb and clean the contacts in the socket and bend them in a little until they grip the bulb firmly. It'll work.

Frustrated · Post by **Frustrated** » 17 Mar 2005, 06:56

Thanks dosbricks!

Plan on taking on the dealer again today, so I'll definitely take this information with me.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » 23 Mar 2005, 11:20

I also have 2001 V70 with message display reading 'Bulb Failure Position Light' have checked all light around outside of car and cannot see any that have failed.
Have you had any luck in resolving your problem. If so how??

Frustrated · Post by **Frustrated** » 23 Mar 2005, 13:49

I am still working with the dealer for resolution, trying to get them to replace the sockets under warrantly. Wish me luck on that one. Since the recall was only for the S70s, they're giving me a pretty hard time.

Harry - usually when you get a position light failure, it's a minor side light or tail light. Try turning on only the parking brakes, and check back and forth from side to side, seeing if the same lights are lit up on both the drivers side and passenger side. Then check with headlights on.

The bulbs often die slowly, or work intermittently before they fail for good. Maybe your computer is giving you a warning because the bulb is drawing too much voltage? Your Volvo mechanic can find the bulb and replace it for you.

s70w/issues · Post by **s70w/issues** » 19 Apr 2005, 11:40

my bulb failure light flashes like a strobe on my 98 S70. on/off on/off etc... I traced it to my right rear tail and brake lights. the bulbs get loose. they are the round twist in types too. I am constantly tighening them, but they keep coming loose. I think I will replace the bulb housing and see it that helps. And, as for headlights, they burn out about twice a year. I too have lost my shifter panel light and one for the channel preset numbers on my radio.

between the constant check engine lights, the service light, and now the bulb lights, my dash looks like a xmas tree at times.