Head & tail lamp suddenly out after recent replacement..

lisadimatteo · Post by **lisadimatteo** » 15 Jul 2007, 09:15

Problem: Head and tail lights blown out MUCH sooner than expected.

I changed both the headlamps on my 2001 S40 (78Kmi) less than 6 months ago, and my left tail light less than 3 months ago.

1 week ago I successfully passed my annual state safety inspection where all lights were working properly.

Last night I was pulled over by the local police for having my front right headlamp and rear left tail light out.

My directional indicator (turning signal) is blinking very, very fast (more than normal) when I indicate a left turn. I thought this somehow meant that there was a fuse problem...does anyone have any advice on what this may be?

I don't want to go out and replace bulbs only to have them go out again. Is there any easy way a non-technical - not-that-handy driver can check the fuse box easily?

Any 'for dummies', detailed info provided on this would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Jul 2007, 12:28

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Unfortunately, by their very nature, bulbs can go out at any time so it is impossible to say that 2 bulbs replaced at the same time will have the same life.

A couple of years ago I had my car tested, OK. 20 minutes later one of my ex-colleagues pulled me over as one of my rear lights was not working. At least you got a week. Sorry for the light tone here but replacing bulbs on cars is a fact of life. I suggest that you replace them and see how long they last. If the same lights go out again soon post again so we can look for a possible cause.

Checking the fuse box would do no good because a bad fuse would not affect the two lamps that are out, they are on different fuses.

A fast flashing turn signal usually means that one or more of those bulbs is not working. Put your left turn signal on and check that all the bulbs are OK.

Bill.

addiligence1 · Post by **addiligence1** » 25 Mar 2010, 06:10

My husband was replacing one bulb right after another on my S40. Finally discovered that if you use original volvo bulbs you won't be replacing them for a long time.