V70 s70 has multiple issues...

Ruth123 · Post by **Ruth123** » 14 Nov 2011, 19:58

Cold, rainy night in Buffalo NY, and two babies. The defroster/heater which has been laboring, quit and my lights went out. When I stopped, and got back in the car, lights came on again, but before I could get home they went out again EXCEPT the High beams, which probably saved my life. One of the head lights had gone out a few days ago, but tonight they all just shut off. Do I have to replace the whole headlamp ($295.00 for an aftermarket) or can I just replace the bulb inside. Any idea's on why nothing is blowing? Thanks, anyone

Post by **rspi** » 14 Nov 2011, 20:20

Multiple issuse point to other problems. Please list all of the problems that you believe you have. If all of your lights went out you likely have a problem with the light switch, happened to me once. If you have mulitple electrical problems you likely have a problem with your ignition switch which is a $59 part. List the problems and lets take it one issue at a time.

Also, when you unload after letting several problem go untouched it makes people think that some things are related to others when they are not. So if something broke last week and another thing broke last year try to explain that.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Nov 2011, 20:48

I would check out your grounds and alternator connections.

I'm wondering if perhaps your positive battery cable is overheating. I had a Buick that did similar things and would completely shut down system by system as the cable heated up.

Ruth123 · Post by **Ruth123** » 14 Nov 2011, 21:07

Thanks RSPI. Could they be related? Headlight goes out because of water, causes shorts in torrential rainstorm? I was driving with all lights but one head light. Then, all the lights went out, including my interior lights when I opened the car door. They all came on again when I got in my car to drive home, but before I completed the 30 mile drive, they went out again.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 14 Nov 2011, 21:39

I think Justin has the right idea here.
Check your entire charging system first.
Battery, alternator, connectors, cables - All of it.

If it's out of your comfort zone, call an electrically
inclined friend and break out the pizza and beer!

( Or find yourself a respectable Volvo indy shop.)

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 14 Nov 2011, 21:51

Ruth123 wrote:Cold, rainy night in Buffalo NY, and two babies. The defroster/heater which has been laboring, quit and my lights went out. When I stopped, and got back in the car, lights came on again, but before I could get home they went out again EXCEPT the High beams, which probably saved my life. One of the head lights had gone out a few days ago, but tonight they all just shut off. Do I have to replace the whole headlamp ($295.00 for an aftermarket) or can I just replace the bulb inside. Any idea's on why nothing is blowing? Thanks, anyone

You may have one blown lamp and other issues that cause voltage to NOT get to the others.
You may have a bad voltage regulator that's causing the alternator to provide too high a voltage.
You may have a problem with your ignition switch or some other switch or relay.
There are plenty of possibilties for a 13 year old car.

You DON"T need to spend money on entirely new headlights.
The individual lamps are pretty easy to replace. You'll want H7's
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... 6.htm#pg98
After you've solved the problem at hand.

See the suggestions about having the primary charging system checked.
The battery, alternator and all the stuff in between is critical - So:

Step one - Check the car's power supply.
( Essentially, "Is it Plugged In?" )

Step two - CHECK THE CAR'S POWER SUPPLY!

Ruth123 · Post by **Ruth123** » 15 Nov 2011, 06:08

Thanks all. I'm on it. Step one, Electrical troubleshooting.

Ruth123 · Post by **Ruth123** » 15 Nov 2011, 10:14

electrical check, battery alt. Good. The only diagnosis code is something that translates into: probably gas cap leak or pin hole leak in the neck. Light bulb replaced and it comes on. I read the Chapter 6 that bejenbfk provided. I can get a temp. defroster fan at autoparts BUT both the power access points (lighter) are not working. I would check the fuse, but I am not sure which fuse would be for that. Why would only a dealer change some fuses? Now: Blower not blowing. Thanks! Ruth in cold, rainy snowy Buffalo.

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Nov 2011, 10:39

Fuse #30 should be for your power outlets.

Does the blower fan come on and then stop working later or just not work at all at this point? Any weird noises coming from it?

You can see if any problems start cropping up again with electronics dying out. If that happens, even though the system may be charging now, that would point to a bad battery cable overheating and restricting current flow. Think what happens when you kink a hose.

Ruth123 · Post by **Ruth123** » 15 Nov 2011, 19:12

jblackburn, the blower fan was working intermittently, it came on when I hit a bump...now nothing. I hear a "whiney" sound. Perhaps I think I will just change the positive battery cable. Today, my "fixed" lights are acting a little .....haunted. thank you all for giving me such great support and help.