I'm the original owner and have gone over 152,000 miles. Suddenly today, the high beams stay on after the engine is shut off, the key is removed and driver's door is closed. I tried but could not get the high beams to go off; so I drove over to my mechanic who had never heard of the high beams staying on. The only thing that I can do to get the high beams to go off is to remove the fuse for High Beams, and search for an answer. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you, Sandy
High Beams stay on even after 2003 XC70 is shut off
High Beams stay on even after 2003 XC70 is shut off
Previous Volvos owned: 245, 850GLT and Bertone 262C
- abscate
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I think on your 2003 the lights are controlled by modules rather than switches and relays so troubleshooting is a bit more complicated. Are you sure the lights don't go off after a few minutes ??
The CEntral electronics module controls lights on these cars, it's rare for them to fail like this
The CEntral electronics module controls lights on these cars, it's rare for them to fail like this
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
The module is enabled by the command of the driver. The driver moves the switch that tells the module to do a job.
in short, check to make sure the lever is operating correctly. Tension might not be there to disengage the HB's.
in short, check to make sure the lever is operating correctly. Tension might not be there to disengage the HB's.
ugh smh 850 Turbo fridge
Hi abscate,
The headlights do not go off after a few minutes. On my 2003 XC70 the headlights have always gone off after the driver parks, removes the key and/or opens the driver's door.
Turning the daylight control knob to the parking lights mode should turn off the high beams, but it no longer does that. The high beams stay on.
Another problem with the high beams that I have had for about 6 mos. is that the blue dashboard indicator light does not always light up when the high beams are on.
Thank you, Sandy
The headlights do not go off after a few minutes. On my 2003 XC70 the headlights have always gone off after the driver parks, removes the key and/or opens the driver's door.
Turning the daylight control knob to the parking lights mode should turn off the high beams, but it no longer does that. The high beams stay on.
Another problem with the high beams that I have had for about 6 mos. is that the blue dashboard indicator light does not always light up when the high beams are on.
Thank you, Sandy
Previous Volvos owned: 245, 850GLT and Bertone 262C
Here's some additional info:
Turning the daylight control knob to the parking lights mode should turn off the high beams, but it no longer does that. The high beams stay on.
Another problem with the high beams that I have had for about 6 mos. is that the blue dashboard indicator light does not always light up when the high beams are on.
Sandy
Turning the daylight control knob to the parking lights mode should turn off the high beams, but it no longer does that. The high beams stay on.
Another problem with the high beams that I have had for about 6 mos. is that the blue dashboard indicator light does not always light up when the high beams are on.
Sandy
Previous Volvos owned: 245, 850GLT and Bertone 262C
Reviving this thread. My 2003 V70 has the same issue. I changed the stalk, but it is still happening. Does anyone have any insight into this? I can still turn them off by wiggling the stalk, but they will randomly turn on at any given time. Any ideas?
- abscate
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I believe lights are controlled in the Central Electronics Module - you need VIDA to troubleshoot.
Gone are the days of analog electronics in P2 world
Gone are the days of analog electronics in P2 world
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- mrbrian200
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Yes the main and high beam lamps are controlled on the CEM with separate relays.
Switch the high and low beam relays to see if the low beams begin acting wonky instead. If they do, replace the bad relay.
If the high beams continue to be the problem after switching the relays then you most likely have a problem with the stalk switch or the steering wheel module.
2003 still used external plug in relays that are easily replaceable. Disregard the red arrow in the picture You're looking relays CMI4 and CMI7 second row in from the left half way down and bottom.

FYI On later models these relays were incorporated inside the CEM and are not easily replaceable.
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When you say you can get them off by wiggling the stalk, that rather makes me think of either a stalk or a stalk to steering column connection issue.
Maybe I would also try getting a used headlight switch unit from the junkyard or Ebay, give it a try.
As for the blue dash light it's a common DIM problem on 2001-2003, it's not the bulb, just the board gets an issue unfortunately.
Maybe I would also try getting a used headlight switch unit from the junkyard or Ebay, give it a try.
As for the blue dash light it's a common DIM problem on 2001-2003, it's not the bulb, just the board gets an issue unfortunately.
Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... s0FSVSOT_c
- mrbrian200
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On my sisters XC90, with a blue high beam indicator lamp that works intermittently, I traced it to what looks like some sort of inrush current limiting device (resistor or NTC) in series with the bulb. But it's not a DIY repair for most people being a SMC board level component. I was unable to idenfity what exactly it is with confidence (resistor-value or NTC specification) so I put the dim back together and left it alone until maybe someday somebody else figures out an exact part to order from mouser/digikey/ebay.
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