Headlights for Daylight Running Lamps = Trouble

Post by **dosbricks** » 04 Mar 2005, 18:20

I always thought it was stupid of Volvo to use the headlight system for daylight running lamps. Last night I got that opinion confirmed.

I never used them on my 850 but since my wife commuted in heavy traffic until recently, she has had them on for 128K on her S70.

I did a routine bulb change, but because of the poor work light conditions I didn't notice that a lot of the insulation on the low beam wires had become brittle from the heat and flaked off. A bare spot on each wire must have been touching, because the new bulb fried the instant I turned it on.

After closer inspection I removed the headlight assembly and detached the wires from the bulb connector. I sleeved them with some 1/8" heat shrink insulation tubing I happened to have, then soldered them back on. So far, so good.

So, if you have a lot of miles running the low beams as DRLs (Canadian friends are required to use them) check your wires carefully the next time you have to change a bulb.

Special note to UncleBoost: Have you ever wondered if Volvo gets some of their electrical design inspiration from the Brits? .....i.e. Lucas electrics.....Ha!

rogoal1 · Post by **rogoal1** » 08 Mar 2005, 22:58

My wires on my son's 99 S-70 were in the same shape. I just bought the harness wires and it fixed the problem. I also turned the screw so that the day lights do not come on. What part of South Texas are you from? I am from San Bene.

VolvoFreak · Post by **VolvoFreak** » 09 Mar 2005, 08:11

Wait, what screw? My parents have a '95 850 and want to turn the day-time running lights off.

STLOZA · Post by **STLOZA** » 09 Mar 2005, 11:27

VolvoFreak wrote:Wait, what screw? My parents have a '95 850 and want to turn the day-time running lights off.

small plastic screw on the switch housing bottom right i think u can see it if u look hard turn it on way or the other

Post by **dosbricks** » 09 Mar 2005, 11:58

rogoal1 wrote:My wires on my son's 99 S-70 were in the same shape. I just bought the harness wires and it fixed the problem. I also turned the screw so that the day lights do not come on. What part of South Texas are you from? I am from San Bene.

Yeah, I turned the lights off also. Did you have to take the headlight assembly apart to get the harness out?

San Bene.....San Benito? I'm in Portland, across the bay from C.C.

DCintraining · Post by **DCintraining** » 09 Mar 2005, 18:33

I agree that the 850's headlights in earlier models were not designed well to be day time running lights (DTRL). But, much of the research I've seen is that day time running lights increase your visibility from much further away. Other studies in the UK and Canada indicate that although there is an increase in visibility cars not running DTRL tend to get masked by cars that are running DTRL. Many European countries require their use as does Canada.

So when the majority of the vehicle on the road have DTRL does it make sense to turn them off. We spend thousands of dollars to buy the safest cars on the road, why would you not want to run your headlights during the day if it would provide even 1% more protection?

Personally, I've gone thru 3 sets of headlights in the past 3 years. (193K means more vibration and burned out bulbs). But I'm willing to pay for it if it mean no one gets hurt.

I'm currently studying to be a Chiropractor, treating motor vehicle accident injuries particularly whiplash and high velocity extension/flexion injuries is something we talk about on a daily basis. I would do anything to reduce my risk of getting hurt.

Anyone else have any comments on this?

Thanks,

Eoin

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 10 Mar 2005, 17:36

DCintraining wrote: So when the majority of the vehicle on the road have DTRL does it make sense to turn them off. Anyone else have any comments on this.
Eoin

I agree with you in principal, but the majority of vehicles on the road don't have DLRs. In fact Chrysler stopped putting them on their new cars ???

Running the headlights all the time puts more strain on the charging system, but if Volvo used a separate running light like GM, I would use it.

Also, we bought white cars. Studies show white is 8 times more visible (in the daytime) than any other color except yellow.

Nevertheless, I respect your opinion about injury.

Post by **dosbricks** » 10 Mar 2005, 17:40

Sorry, my wife did updates and I wasn't logged in.