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1999 S70 GLT - Headlight dilemma

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Grantkat  
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Year and Model: 1999 s70 GLT
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1999 S70 GLT - Headlight dilemma

Post by Grantkat »

Ok guys - my headlights are just not cutting it. Driver side projects decently but the lens is cracked. Passenger side lights up and thats about all I can say on the positive side of things. I have read through quite a few threads on fixes, upgrades etc.
From what I can tell there is a standard headlight and a Halogen Headlight - each designed to reflect according to its associated intended bulb.
Question 1 I think mine are standard, though I am unsure how to the tell the difference in the assemblies. How can I confirm which ones I have?

Question2: Assuming the answer is that mine are STD. what option(s) do I have for a better beam without major modifications?
1999 S70 GLT ~193k
2014D VIDA/DICE
2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ~ 315K
2008 Lincoln MKX ~130k
2008 Toyota Sequoia ~ 252k

Powered by coffee, stripped bolts, and questionable decisions.

scot850
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Year and Model: 2000 V70 R
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Post by scot850 »

The only 'different headlights I know of are the late 'angle eyes' fitted to C70 P80's. My buddy fitted LED bulbs to his car and the difference to standard bulbs is amazing, even with tired lenses. I think Abscate has sung the praise of TYC branded headlights.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

Grant - the silver reflective surface in the P80 headlights eventually dulls and the lights then suck. A new bulb wont help, as the light doesnt get gathered up and sent forward. IF we had some optics people here we could get a more technical explanation, but here is a massive thread on it.

viewtopic.php?t=86287&start=90

TLDR

New TYC headlights are , today. $78.00 on amazon. Ive got them on most of my P80s now.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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454cid
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Post by 454cid »

I had the TYCs on my 99 S70 GLT, and was pleased with them.... unfortunately, they don't handle deer very well. I wish I could buy them for my 96 850.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
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abscate
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Post by abscate »

“deer in the headlights?”
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread

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Grantkat  
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Post by Grantkat »

I sort of figured that was the case. Thanks for the info!! I think I will just go with the TYCs. simplest and most str8 forward solution
1999 S70 GLT ~193k
2014D VIDA/DICE
2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ~ 315K
2008 Lincoln MKX ~130k
2008 Toyota Sequoia ~ 252k

Powered by coffee, stripped bolts, and questionable decisions.

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rolsen11  
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Year and Model: 2000 V70 SE
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Post by rolsen11 »

I have the TYC lights on my car as well. I bought them as a set of both headlights and both turn signals. The passenger side headlight arrived broken and I had to get that replaced under warranty. Since then though they've been good. The passenger turn signal has a big rock chip in it already...
2000 V70 SE - Bought sight unseen in Cleveland, currently my only car. Looks identical to my profile picture

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wizechatmgr
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Year and Model: 1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4T
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Post by wizechatmgr »

454cid wrote: 19 Nov 2025, 10:23 I had the TYCs on my 99 S70 GLT, and was pleased with them.... unfortunately, they don't handle deer very well. I wish I could buy them for my 96 850.
Next time pamper yourself and order the "deer free" version =)
Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles

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