How hard is it to retro-fit headlight wipers? 2007 XC70

AylmerQc · Post by **AylmerQc** » 30 Sep 2024, 03:45

I've been going to the local auto recycler and some of the Volvos I see have headlight wipers.
The only time I figure I wished I'd had them on my car was a number of years ago, late October evening on the expressway through Montreal and heavy traffic, especially semi-trucks continually spraying dirty wet snow on front of the car as they are overtaking or driving side by side.
Obviously not a thing that happens too often but when it does, it's nice to have something to deal with it.
How hard would it be to retrofit wipers to a car that didn't have them factory installed?

Post by **vtl** » 30 Sep 2024, 04:55

Headlights wipers came with glass lens (2001-04). Can't have those with polycarbonate lens (2005-07). 2005+ have powerful headlights washer that is glad to empty almost 2 gallon reservoir in no matter of time.

AylmerQc · Post by **AylmerQc** » 30 Sep 2024, 05:42

Thanks. My 07 has had retro-fitted glass lens. From what the previous owner told me, it used to have Xenon headlamps but when those failed, standard glass ones were fitted. (just wondering by the way if the polycarbonate ones could have been fitted instead..?).
It does have the headlamp washer spray. Not sure if it works as folks who don't seem to know any better tend to put water in the washer reservoir which is fine in the warmer months but come winter, those little pumps get busted real quick. I'll need to check that...

Post by **vtl** » 30 Sep 2024, 05:45

You can't mistaken when headlight washer works. It sprays like crazy, your car and everyone around.

These pumps die, yes. But they are cheap and easy to replace.

Post by **scot850** » 30 Sep 2024, 08:32

There is also as you mention parts that like to break when owners don't put winter wash fluid in. I leave winter fluid in year around as we do so little mileage we don't use a lot of fluid. Our P2 started to use a lot of fluid at one point and on removing the front bumper the valve on the RHS looked like an alien explosion like in the movie. It presumably froze and exploded.

It would be interesting to see the glass lensed headlights in the later car. I was always told that you could not fit them as they were shaped differently. Maybe the only difference is the front bumper cover with the cut outs for the wiper arms? Perhaps the mounting connectors and wiring harness also need to be changed too?

Neil.

Post by **vtl** » 30 Sep 2024, 08:37

scot850 wrote: ↑30 Sep 2024, 08:32 There is also as you mention parts that like to break when owners don't put winter wash fluid in. I leave winter fluid in year around as we do so little mileage we don't use a lot of fluid. Our P2 started to use a lot of fluid at one point and on removing the front bumper the valve on the RHS looked like an alien explosion like in the movie. It presumably froze and exploded.

It would be interesting to see the glass lensed headlights in the later car. I was always told that you could not fit them as they were shaped differently. Maybe the only difference is the front bumper cover with the cut outs for the wiper arms? Perhaps the mounting connectors and wiring harness also need to be changed too?

Neil.

They are shaped slightly different, but with enough butyl tape they can be fitted.

Post by **cn90** » 30 Sep 2024, 08:52

And when it empties the reservoir so quick you wish you didn't have that HL wash feature! Now it is even more dangerous bc you are out of washer fluid...

I decommissioned my HL pump (simply unplug the relay in the fuse box)...I never look back.

PS: I used to live in Montreal so I know the winter there...

Post by **BlackBart** » 30 Sep 2024, 13:46

I believe the bumper cover is different on wiper cars (mine is '04). There is a plastic divot in the bumper below each headlight where the hub of the wiper arm comes through from the backside.

AylmerQc · Post by **AylmerQc** » 30 Sep 2024, 15:38

cn90 If that's the case, regarding the HL washer jets using up a good chunk of the fluid, ideally, a separate switch should or could be installed just for this purpose so that the headlights are cleaned only when necessary.
I imagine Volvo engineers figured that if the windshield/windscreen is dirty, then the headlights must be as well, which makes sense yet it's more important to have fluid to spare for a clear windscreen than for headlights.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 30 Sep 2024, 20:08

My ‘03 has a flow reducer/ restrictor in each line that goes to the headlights. I have not experienced an excessive use of washer fluid. I wonder if someone removed this from your car?