Position Light Out

IslandV70 · Post by **IslandV70** » 31 Oct 2020, 10:36

This is REALLY annoying - I get a brief flash of a message that says "Position Light Out", but the message only lasts about 0.5 seconds. It can flash 10 or 20 times on a 30 minute drive.
None of my lights are out either. My two guesses are the car has gone senile or a light has a slightly bad connection. Does anyone know which lights even trigger this? The orange parking lights (position??) at the outer edge of the headlights have been replaced. All the lights on the back of the car work including the LEDs. One of the city lights - those dim extra little headlight bulbs - was off once and I whacked the hood and it came back on. Do those lights set off the position light error? Do I have to take the front bumper off to replace them?
THANKS!
* 2005 V70

Post by **volvolugnut** » 31 Oct 2020, 11:03

My 2001 V70 has occasional position light out problems. Mine is clearly a bad connection at the bulb holder at the rear. Wiggling and electric contact grease helps, but the problem always returns. Position lights are called the clearance lights in US.
There was a recent (yesterday?) post on how to add a soldered wire to jump from bulb holder to bulb holder contact plate. I cannot find it today.
volvolugnut

Post by **ljsommar1** » 31 Oct 2020, 16:23

The circuitry used to monitor the lights, looks at the difference in current between two matching lamps, or so I have read. If one of the lamps(bulbs) has more or less resistance it can trigger the warning when no problem exists. I have experienced the same problem. One time removing the sockets and cleaning them with a pencil eraser seemed to fix it, another time, I had to replace a set of 2 lamps with the same brand to eliminate the annoying message. Also bending up the contact tabs on the bottom and side of the socket can help assure a good connection.
Hope this helps.

IslandV70 · Post by **IslandV70** » 31 Oct 2020, 18:31

Thanks - does anyone know which lights can trigger the warning? I would hate to take the front of the car off again if only the lights in the back can cause this.

Post by **ljsommar1** » 31 Oct 2020, 20:34

Not positive but I think that is the rear position lamp, the hardest one to replace. One might call then running or marker lights.
It is a PITA unless you have tiny hands .
Good luck.

Post by **darrylrobert** » 31 Oct 2020, 21:07

its likely the one you "whacked" AKA Fonzied to get working again. The car doesnt like being hit and is upset.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Nov 2020, 02:50

I think the official MVS term in 2020 is now “ borked”

IslandV70 · Post by **IslandV70** » 01 Nov 2020, 06:31

But the question is - do those front city light things trigger the warning? Also note whacking it to make it come back on was about a year ago.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 01 Nov 2020, 07:03

Personal experience is it is likely the rear lights. Although the rears are hard to remove, it is easier than diassembly of front. Hint: remember the orientation of the bulb holder when removed so you know how to start when reassembling.
volvolugnut

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 01 Nov 2020, 08:34

Your original Q's are vexing because I've been there.

The front "position light" is the small 5W5 (or W5W?) tucked into the front light's corner. My right one went out but I cannot remember if a message appeared in the window or if I caught it during a bulb inspection...and yes, my life is that dull.

I did get the message when my right, rear R5W went out. This is a metal based bulb with a small, round globe. It's position in the lower red plastic housing -near reflectors- and can be easily missed. I bought a pair at the Volvo dealer.

I still have a "stop & tail light" bulb holder I cannot seat successfully. Seems the PO liked to sit with a foot on the brake pedal.