04 S60 HIDs not working

StreetKing · Post by **StreetKing** » 23 Jun 2013, 18:44

I have searched and searched for a fix to this issue, but to no avail. During my search, I have found numerous Volvo owners with the same problem, but no answers.
On my 2004 S60 2.5T, with the Bi-Xenon headlight option, the right side bulb went out. I ordered a set of D2R bulbs and replaced both sides. After the careful and proper install, both sides worked well. Later that evening, both sides went out and the message center says "Bulb failure-Low beam".
Thinking I may have gotten bulbs from a bad lot, the seller was kind enough to send another pair. Still no work, and same message.
I checked all related fuses, both inside the cabin and under the hood. I also pulled the CEM down and checked the shunt connector, but all looks new.
What are the odds of losing both ballasts at the same time?
Before I spend my paycheck on a set of ballasts, I pray there is something else going on that I can fix. Any ideas would be vastly appreciated.

draser · Post by **draser** » 24 Jun 2013, 18:21

Not sure why you lost both HL, do you have any lights (lows, highs)? If you have a digital meter you can check for shorts at the bulb, bulb removed. If there are no shorts at the HL then you can check for voltage. Put meter on volts, key in pos 2, check for battery voltage at the HL connector. If no voltage is found try the 2 fuses in the CEM. A wiring diagram will be very helpful, can find one on the net. If you do have battery voltage at the HL connector and no light then your ballasts are gone - but I doubt that.

StreetKing · Post by **StreetKing** » 25 Jun 2013, 12:15

Thanks for the reply. I don't have hi/lo beams. I have the motorized reflectors that look up for hi and down for low beams. DRLs work, as does oem fogs. Everything works but the actual headlight bulbs. I heard the voltage can't be checked at the bulb because the bulb socket is actually a hi voltage igniter. But I don't know for certain...I know it's an igniter and it's hi voltage, but unsure if I can safely put a meter on it.

Post by **jimmy57** » 25 Jun 2013, 15:08

Yes both can fail at the same time.

Your car uses Valeo LAD5GL ballasts that are used on other makes and models.

I got two new ones not long ago for $115 each.

StreetKing · Post by **StreetKing** » 26 Jun 2013, 09:03

jimmy57 wrote:Yes both can fail at the same time.

Your car uses Valeo LAD5GL ballasts that are used on other makes and models.

I got two new ones not long ago for $115 each.

Thanks. I'm afraid to order them, in case that's not my problem, but I may have to.

draser · Post by **draser** » 26 Jun 2013, 17:13

Again, you can measure voltage at the connector - see wiring diagram, which is only battery voltage. That'll tell if you if a fuse is blown or not. If you do then it's the ballasts.

StreetKing · Post by **StreetKing** » 26 Jun 2013, 18:00

draser wrote:Again, you can measure voltage at the connector - see wiring diagram, which is only battery voltage. That'll tell if you if a fuse is blown or not. If you do then it's the ballasts.

Ohhhh...are you talking about unplugging the igniter and checking voltage at the connector?

draser · Post by **draser** » 27 Jun 2013, 15:50

Looking at the wiring diagram I see a 5-pin connector for each headlight assembly. That's a good measuring point. The ballasts/igniter, etc are downstream from there.

draser · Post by **draser** » 28 Jun 2013, 16:36

Here's the wiring diagram for the HL. You can see the connectors coming from CEM, and the fuses that power the hi/low's. The high voltage happens in HL assembly, past the conn. Good luck!

HL.pdf: (374.65 KiB) Downloaded 198 times

StreetKing · Post by **StreetKing** » 29 Jun 2013, 08:32

Thank you much. I will have a look.