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Replacing headlight lens on a 1994 850

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

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » 850 Headlight Lens replacement
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zhenya
Posts: 588
Joined: 15 February 2008
Year and Model: 97 855 T5,98 V70 AWD
Location: Ithaca, NY

Re: Replacing headlight lens on a 1994 850

Post by zhenya »

The only way the reflectors are the same is if the bulbs are the same. Since US-spec and euro-spec headlamps usually also use different bulbs, the reflector must also be different, because the reflector and bulb are designed to work together. Prior to this research, I would have been inclined to agree with you, but after cleaning my old lenses well, and aiming them properly, along with new, high quality bulbs, the stock setup is truly excellent. Of course the wiring and reflectors must also be in great shape - any problem in any area will diminish output greatly.

Jorobles0
Posts: 5
Joined: 15 January 2012
Year and Model: 850 1994
Location: San diego

Post by Jorobles0 »

Thanks for the write up, very heful. For about $10 i picked up a lens at a local junkyard. It matched my original lens. However I noticed the used replacement lens was noticeably clearer than the other lens do to the cleaning I did. So I removed the other lense and cleaned the inside with orange degreaser. Now both lenses match. I noticed both of my lenses did not have clips on the side adjacent to the signal light so I added a clip.

96blue850turbowagon
Posts: 1
Joined: 10 June 2015
Year and Model: 1996 850 turbo wagon
Location: Kentucky

Post by 96blue850turbowagon »

I need to replace my passenger side lens and I found a new pair [both sides] on ebay for $25...
These lenses are injection molded from PMMA material.
Supposedly that is clear acrylic plastic material that is used in automotive industry for headlight lenses on all the new cars.
Anyone worked with these? I don't want to buy them if they are "cheap" plastic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEADLIGHT-lens- ... 6016.l4276

tryingbe
Posts: 1893
Joined: 18 June 2009
Year and Model: None
Location: Mesa, AZ, USA
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Post by tryingbe »

96blue850turbowagon wrote: Supposedly that is clear acrylic plastic material that is used in automotive industry for headlight lenses on all the new cars.

Have you seen those yellow/dull headlights from all the newer cars?

Yeah, they have the plastic headlight cover. I would stick with glass, given the choice.

https://www.google.com/search?q=headlig ... 00&bih=766
85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg

mika
Posts: 309
Joined: 29 October 2012
Year and Model: 97 850 NA 98 v70
Location: Midwest

Post by mika »

Plastic ones are much cheaper. You can get them on ebay. Obviously, a glass replacement from the yard would be ideal, but if that is not an option, hit up those 29.99 ones on ebay or directly from Swedish car parts in Bensenville, ILL.
'92 945 Turbo, 13lb boost on E85 with 54lb injectors, 230k
'98 V70 N/A 174K , Konis Sport + H&R Blue springs,16 inch Solars
'97 855 N/A


Previous: Honda Fit Sport (RIP), Kymco S200 (missed),
'86 244 DL M46 (restored and traded)

kahl
Posts: 943
Joined: 27 October 2012
Year and Model: 2000V70XC
Location: columbus ohio
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Post by kahl »

I have a set of nice glass lens you can have for the price of shipping. PM if you want them.

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