2006 V70 -- Low Beam Blues

Post by **E Showell** » 28 Jan 2018, 18:59

So passenger side low beam (H11 bulb) is out. I suspect is goes out frequently. By feel only, since I can't see anything in there given tight clearance between brain box and headlight unit, I am betting the bulb retainer clip springs were broken or mangled and there is some sort of jury rig arrangement holding the bulb. What makes me say this is I can get in there and wiggle the bulb and I feel a lot of what seems like masking tape in there. My dear departed neighbor would have referred to it as a kludge job. Vibrating bulbs make for short filament life in my experience.

Couple questions:1) can the bulb retainer clip be bought as a separate replacement part and 2) given the absolute miserable working clearance in there, has anyone contemplated actually removing the passenger side headlight unit just to replace the low beam? I am definitely considering it.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jan 2018, 23:25

Get your self a nice inspection mirror so you can see what you are doing

That job is a pain on P2 s

I remember it was the very first thing I had to do on my 2005 and s badly made headlight socket made it s 3 hour job

Post by **Rattnalle** » 29 Jan 2018, 01:22

abscate wrote: 28 Jan 2018, 23:25 Get your self a nice inspection mirror so you can see what you are doing

That job is a pain on P2 s

I remember it was the very first thing I had to do on my 2005 and s badly made headlight socket made it s 3 hour job

You just need to accept that you'll cut yourself and it will go a lot faster

I've got the xenon low beams. They make the halogens seem roomy in comparison.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 29 Jan 2018, 05:21

Get your self a nice inspection mirror so you can see what you are doing

A Endoscope can go where an Inspection mirror cannot. Even a cheap USB Endoscope off eBay makes a difference.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 29 Jan 2018, 06:23

OP said, "I am betting the bulb retainer clip springs were broken or mangled...."

There are no clips involved. The H11's lock in with "1/8" turn.
The wise thing to do is see how the old bulb is oriented before you remove it. A mirror can help here. Also, a mirror can help you see the lugs. I key in on the wider lug.
Another challenge is that the fixtures are made of layers of material such that rotating the bulb once in its hole and hoping it will fall into position can't be done easily.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jan 2018, 06:38

Way before WWII when the French navy ruled supreme, when you were demasted you rigged a day mast - one that only lasted for the day. French 'jour' for the day became Jour rig which we stole of course.

My Latin teacher will also be proud if jury Latin roots in help or alleviate -

Like most word origin fights, There are as many theories as etymologists - but I like my sailing one.

MVS - car repair, humor,and intellect (?) all for the same low price..

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 29 Jan 2018, 07:06

I've stricken my etymological offering for two reasons.
1) I'm not 100% sure.
2) 'Twas a highly questionable source who told me about "gerry vs. jury" rigging.

The next time Patricia T. O'Conner (The Word Lady) is on the radio, I'll ask. She knows everything!

Post by **E Showell** » 29 Jan 2018, 09:22

FCP's website says my car takes the retainer clip.

Ringo · Post by **Ringo** » 30 Nov 2018, 17:21

My 2006 xc70 2.5T has the 1/8 COUNTER-clockwise turn. Put the electrical connector on first. I found a YouTube video that showed a guy taking the brain box out (leaving the ECU and TCM in place) but I didn't want to mess with that ( starting at 3:50 )

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 01 Dec 2018, 14:57

If I have to work on the passenger bulbs on my '06 S60, I pop off the ECU lid, and raise the rectangular ECU sleeve as shown in the video above at 4:00. There is one clip at the base of the sleeve at front and as well as one on each side holding the sleeve down. I just tried it now and it was much easier than shown on the video - removing the sleeve is quite straight forward. Doing this gives you a lot more access to the bulbs.

Note the sleeve is shaped like a boot. As you raise it, and once it is up about 4 inches, you can tilt it towards the front of the car to avoid the projection getting stuck. No need to force it, and take note of where the ECU and TCU mounting module edges fit in the sleeve's grooves for when you replace it. There is an extra groove on the front corner of the sleeve that is not used.

I also remove the windshield washer fluid fill tube to get at the corner behind the lights for the passenger turn signal and position marker bulbs.

Interestingly, the manual does not provide explicit instructions for the passenger low beam bulb replacement - no picture and has the following line:

"Certain bulbs not listed here should only be replaced by an authorized Volvo service technician. "

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... .htm#pg150

Accessing the bulbs can be quite aggravating.