Login Register

98 V70: Headlight Reflectors Toes Up Topic is solved

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 » Headlight Reflectors Get Dull and Light Output Degrades
Post Reply
User avatar
sleddriver
Posts: 975
Joined: 8 April 2010
Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
Location: Tx
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Re: 98 V70: Headlight Reflectors Toes Up

Post by sleddriver »

bmdubya1198 wrote: 01 Sep 2017, 07:50
sleddriver wrote: 31 Aug 2017, 21:26 The TYC prices are reasonable and found them for ~ $158/pair. Many sell these as Volvo replacements (IPD, FCP, etc.) That maybe my best bet now.

I'm rethinking searching a PNP due to time.

DEPO "Depo 373-1124R-AS Volvo C70 Passenger Side Composite Headlamp Assembly with Bulb and Socket" has clear glass; Are $277/pair. Odd driver is more $$$ than pass? Also not sure what bulb these use? Not listed, though 'bulbs are included'.
They most likely use the stock H7 bulbs being that they're stock replacement type assemblies.
I'm not sure the DEPO's use an H7. I think Volvo moved away from the H7 to another bulb when the jewels were avail in 03/04 C70.
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

User avatar
BEJinFbk
Posts: 4067
Joined: 5 January 2008
Year and Model: '98 V70 R
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Has thanked: 93 times
Been thanked: 146 times

Post by BEJinFbk »

IIRC, it's an H11...
But from what I hear everywhere,
the jewels are totally worth it!
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... ;)

User avatar
FLXC90
Posts: 1132
Joined: 18 August 2014
Year and Model: 98 V70 T5
Location: Florida Panhandle
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 45 times

Post by FLXC90 »

I had a pair of Depo replacements for my 06 bug 'vert, they were fine. Other JY upgrade is 03-04 C70 jewels. not too hard to find, just gotta be quick.
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

User avatar
bmdubya1198
Posts: 6338
Joined: 30 December 2014
Year and Model: 2K V70R M56
Location: Charlotte, NC
Has thanked: 304 times
Been thanked: 517 times

Post by bmdubya1198 »

FLXC90 wrote: 01 Sep 2017, 17:43 I had a pair of Depo replacements for my 06 bug 'vert, they were fine. Other JY upgrade is 03-04 C70 jewels. not too hard to find, just gotta be quick.
My local Pull a Part has a 2004 C70 right now, which is normally a good thing, except is had a pretty bad front end collision. Jewels and egg crate are destroyed :(
At least I got an SC-901 out of it.
00 V70R Venetian Red/Charcoal M56 Swapped 214k
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
93 944
98 S90
95 850 GLT
01 S60 2.4T
05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
88 744 Turbo M46

User avatar
sleddriver
Posts: 975
Joined: 8 April 2010
Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
Location: Tx
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Post by sleddriver »

Update:
While apart, I did take a minute to clean the inside of both HDLT lens' using distilled vinegar. There was a slight, white, dried film that was visible when the lens was held up to clear, blue sky. A toothbrush will be useful to get down into the inner glass ribs. This made a slight, but noticeable, improvement.

One lens had been protected for 15? yrs with a rather thick protectant film. I removed it last year as it had noticeably yellowed. I'll replace with something like XPEL. I'm also researching & experimenting with ways to polish tempered glass.
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

User avatar
sleddriver
Posts: 975
Joined: 8 April 2010
Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
Location: Tx
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Post by sleddriver »

Today, my first of two packages arrived with a new TYC HDLT assembly. Second is due to arrive tomorrow.

Upon removal & inspection, I discover:
Volvo_Cracked HDLT 001.JPG
Volvo_Cracked HDLT 001.JPG (180.63 KiB) Viewed 1324 times
Looks like it cracked while in the TYC box, rather than from FedEx shipment. (It was double boxed and well padded).

Bummer......
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

User avatar
rspi
Posts: 7303
Joined: 5 November 2011
Year and Model: 850 T-5R Wagon
Location: Cincinnati OH
Has thanked: 34 times
Been thanked: 72 times
Contact:

Post by rspi »

I believe that Swedish Car Parts sells some improved TYC lights which carry a forever warranty. I got a set of their eCodes which do well (H1), I plan to run HID's in them.

The jewels I installed in our S70 have H11.
'95 855 T-5R M, Panther - 22/28 mpg, 546,000 miles
'95 955 T-5R Yellow Wagon, Lemonade, 180,000 miles
--------------------
Volvo's of past: '87 740 GLE, '79 262C Bertone, '78 264, 960's, '98 S70 GLT, '95 850 T-5R YellowVolvo Repair Videos

User avatar
sleddriver
Posts: 975
Joined: 8 April 2010
Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
Location: Tx
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Post by sleddriver »

FedEx delivered a single-boxed TYC driver HDLT assembly today. Fortunately it isn't cracked! It came equiped with two Osram H7 bulbs, a nice surprise rather than cheap junk. I swapped them for the new Voslas I recently bought.

Still daylight here. I did a beam pattern test. There's just no comparison between new & 20yr old. Night and day is not exaggerating. What really stands out is that when your reflectors are shot, the lens patterns have little effect. It's a specular vs. soft light source: The later is flat and has no edges. While the former sparkles and casts hard, clean, clear shadows.

Point being, not only is your light output way down, the light beam itself isn't being 'steered' properly either. The effect is similar to viewing a flourescent bulb/tube through a HDLT lens vs. a 55W halogen source, like a MR22.

Looking forward to receiving the pass. side replacement.
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

User avatar
sleddriver
Posts: 975
Joined: 8 April 2010
Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
Location: Tx
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Post by sleddriver »

FedEx delivered the passenger HDLT assembly today..lens intact! Just finished the install as above. Now I'll need to do a rough alignment, go to a nearby parking garage and do it properly. I also need to correctly aim the fog lights.

I'm so used to driving with dull reflectors for so long, I'm very much looking forward to brighter nightime driving!

Update:
I drove to a nearby parking garage to perform an alignment, then toured a bit after dark. What a difference! I now have lots of reach down the road, sharp contrasty light, with a sharp cut-off, excellent side light on both sides. When I turn on the brights, WOW...

Obviously, I was WAY beyond needing new reflectors. I should have checked them first. Could have saved $48 on new bulbs & applied that to the new HDLT assemblies....which came with new Osram H7 bulbs.
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post