Dim Headlights 2000 Volvo S70

koala61 · Post by **koala61** » 19 Oct 2010, 15:14

Hello,

I am a new Volvo owner. I purchased a used 2000 Volvo S70 Turbo. It had one owner and 112,000 miles when I bought it two months ago.

I put it into a local repairshop for state inspection sticker/inspection and they told me Volvo needed front ball joints. I replaced those and they supposedly did the 110,000 mile check up. $985 total.

My ABS light is coming on sometimes. I am going to put the car into a local Volvo mechanic (not a dealership). He comes very highly recommended by a neighbor who has been going there for 10+ yrs with her two volvos.

I have a question regarding my headlights. When I am driving at night - they are VERY DIM. So dim I cannot see the road in front very well at all. I have wiped the outside covers but they are still dim. Do I need to replace the bulbs seeing the car is 10 yrs old?

Oh, and my check engine light comes on and off also. Of course I will mention both ABS and check engine light to mechanic, but does anyone have any idea why those would be going on/off? I know NOTHING about cars and do not want to appear "a dumb blonde" LOl when I go to the mechanic.

Thank you very much for any and all advice.

Jacquie

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Oct 2010, 15:30

Welcome, Jaquie.

Buy Sylvania Silverstar bulbs for your S70. Post again when you have them and we'll show you how to put them in. You can get them as most auto parts stores, or use one of my sponsors, the large ads at the top of every page. Tell them I sent you. More -> https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 9&p=145346

...front ball joints. I replaced those and they supposedly did the 110,000 mile check up. $985 total.

Yikes, kinda expensive. Maybe stay away from that shop.

My ABS light is coming on sometimes. I am going to put the car into a local Volvo mechanic (not a dealership).

Your ABS module may be failing. It happens in 100% of 850/S70 Volvos, given enough time. Search here for "ABS rebuilder" and you'll see several for $50-125. Not too hard to take out/replace yourself, if you're mechanically inclined.

He comes very highly recommended by a neighbor who has been going there for 10+ yrs with her two volvos.

If this guy works out for you, would you do us a favor and post his name/contact info in the Recommend a Volvo Mechanic sub-forum?

My check engine light comes on and off also.

Have the mechanic read the codes, write them down for you, explain what needs to be done and how much, then post that information here for us to consider. We will steer you in the right direction, no pun intended.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 19 Oct 2010, 15:47

+1 on what he said

Even if you know nothing about cars, this site will help tremendously. This past year I’ve dropped about a grand worth of parts into my ride and easily saved at least 2 grand in overpriced parts and shop fees. This site helped with every repair I did. Growing up I changed brake pads, but never anything else. This site has taught me a lot!

Many repairs can be handled by us non-mechanics; these cars are pretty easy to fix yourself. If you’re so inclined to learn, this is the place.

What Matt said about getting the codes; you’ll be able to use this site to figure out what the code is telling you, even find some write-ups that’ll show the step-by-step process for the repair, and give you a good idea what the repair should cost so you don’t get ‘hosed’ by a mechanic.

You ABS light; if you have the shop perform the repair, make sure they clean the magnetic pick-ups on each wheel. They tend to get dirty which can prevent the sensor from working properly.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 19 Oct 2010, 16:30

+1 on the silverstar bulbs. There are pricey but are the next best thing to HIDs. If you can afford the HIDs, then I would get them though.

twncty · Post by **twncty** » 19 Oct 2010, 19:25

Advance Auto Parts as well as several others have hand-helds that you can plug into the ODBII port to read the check engine codes for free. They'll even show you how.

jlrsn · Post by **jlrsn** » 19 Oct 2010, 21:17

Hi Jaquie,
Last week on my 98 S70 I replaced my Lo-Beam Headlight Bulbs with new Sylvania H7 ST SilverStar Bulbs, and my Hi-Beam Headlight Bulbs with new Sylvania H7 SU/2 Ultra SilverStar Bulbs. They are well worth it as they turn a dark night in a Rocky Mountain Canyon into a bright day. They are easy to replace if you take your time. Practice by changing out the Hi-Beam Bulbs first just in case if you get in over your head you'll still have you Lo-Beam Bulbs to drive with. Don't hold the glass part of the bulb with your bare fingers..

Bear in mind that the SilverStar and Ultra SilverStar Bulbs have a shorter useful life than a normal H7 Bulb but are well worth it!!

Good luck,
Jim

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 19 Oct 2010, 22:35

Sorry to disagree with the post about but without actually seeing your headlights and bulbs its not possible to sensibly say replace the bulbs as the problem could be with the reflectors which is more likely.

My headlights are not that bright or focused on the road at night as well. The reflectors on mines have faded with UV exposure over the years. I recommend having new reflectors over any bulb no matter how expensive. HID bulbs are not designed for the reflectors on the 850 Volvo. They scatter the light dashing oncoming drivers.Very annoying.

koala61 · Post by **koala61** » 20 Oct 2010, 06:05

WOW!!! Thank you all so much for all of your advice and help.

I will definitely get the codes from the mechanic and I will also post his name/contact number etc on this site after he works on my car.

I just checked on the web after googling sylvania silverstar bulbs and it came up with another volvo forum with ppl saying they prefer OSRMA Silverstar. Before I buy my new bulbs (hopefully today as I cannot drive at night with the ones I have), can anyone tell me which they prefer and why? I also googled phillips vision plus but if I am correct they cannot be put into the regular halogen light 'housing'?

Also, I'm off to advance auto parts today to ask them about the check engine light handheld reader. I'm hoping to buy my lights there. I will of course check your forum sponsors too but I really do need my lights done asap.

Thanks so much again. I really appreciate your help.

Jacquie

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Oct 2010, 07:30

I found this somewhere:

Even though Osram and Sylvaia are the same company the Silverstars from Osram are superior to the Sylvania's Silverstars. The sylvania versions have the coating to give it a white look. The OSRAM silverstars have no coating and, therefore, less white.

But whatever. I'm very happy with my Sylvania's. I happen to like the much whiter light they put out

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 20 Oct 2010, 09:35

For a really nice bulb, try the PIAA instead of the Silverstar. I have found that all of these bulbs fade with age (including OEM), mine get replaced about every 4 years or so.