High beams randomly switching on itself

svetjana · Post by **svetjana** » 08 Dec 2025, 15:06

Recently had this problem that my high beams randomly goes on. Is this common symptom in these cars and where should I look for? Could it be just relay?

Post by **jreed** » 09 Dec 2025, 05:31

I haven't heard of this symptom before. The closest description I could find:
viewtopic.php?t=40098

Post by **volvolugnut** » 09 Dec 2025, 07:36

I think the switch may have gone bad. I have had to replace a couple headlight switches on other cars at high mileage because they started to malfunction.
volvolugnut

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 11 Dec 2025, 09:40

Not on my Volvo, but on my Cadillac... the high beams would come on with my right hand turn signal. Apparently, the switch shorts internally. It suddenly started doing it, and got worse over a period of a couple of weeks. I pulled the high beam fuse until I could get a new headlight-switch/turn-signal-stalk installed.

I've never had a Volvo headlight switch out before. I wonder if it could be disassembled and cleaned. I did have to do that with my truck many years ago. That was a dome light problem. If you do, do that... don't lube it with Vasoline, like I did. It melts.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Dec 2025, 12:10

The actual headlight switch was a recall issue many years ago for the units failing and causing random issues.

Try to find a junkyard one and swap it in and see if that fixes the issue.

Another other issue can be the stalk itself. The contacts can become worn or dirty. It is worth removing and cleaning the contacts.

Neil.

svetjana · Post by **svetjana** » 11 Dec 2025, 12:22

Seems like it worked when I opened headlight relay and soldered some bad connections. On Monday it happened at least 5 times, on tuesday one time when driving to work. But at work i did this and to this day it hasnt happened. I will reply asap if it comes back.