Fog Lights

gwoiler · Post by **gwoiler** » 04 Oct 2006, 21:42

I have a fog light that is not bright like the other side. I replaced the 55w bulb and no difference. It is orange / yellow in color. So I am thinking it needs to be taken apart and cleaned? Is that possible?

Also... many thanks to all the info here. I just bought this 1995 Turbo Wagon off ebay and have replaced the rear hatch struts, flushed the auto trany, changed the oil, and am just having fun driving this car. It had 126,000 miles when I picked it up in Florida, and then drove it home to Spokane, WA. Nice trip. I like this over my 760 wagon that I have had since 1996. Its for sale!

Why has Volvo not upgraded to adjustable intermitant wipers? And why no 2nd gear on the shifter? Many down hills here where 2nd gear would be nice so I can stay off the brakes.

Thanks,
Glenn

Post by **mrreilly** » 04 Oct 2006, 22:05

gwoiler wrote: Why has Volvo not upgraded to adjustable intermitant wipers?

IPD Sell this Wiper Delay Control. I don't have one, but may look into getting on. All though... I put some Rain-X on my windshield. And I now hardly use my wipers. the water glides off even in heavy rain, and you don't even need the wipers on to see. it's truely amazing.
http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx? ... RootID=629

gwoiler · Post by **gwoiler** » 04 Oct 2006, 22:22

Wow.. that wiper delay relay looks good. I'll order one. Volvo should have done it.

Glenn

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 05 Oct 2006, 06:28

http://www.quickbrickmotorsports.com/pr ... relay.html

^^^ You can get the wiper relay for quite a bit cheaper here.

About the foglight, taking it apart certainly can't hurt, but don't ever expect the fog lights to put out a bunch of light. I don't think Volvo spent much time on them, probably due in part to it not even being legal to have foglights on unless conditions permit in Europe.

If you want to get a replacement, Erie Vovo usually has them in stock.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 05 Oct 2006, 07:14

If you are getting a yellow light from the bulb, then I would suspect there is a poor circuit connection somewhere.

Take the foglight bulb out and connect it to a reliable 12 volt source (e.g. your car battery).

If it glows brighter then previously, you will have proved the bulb is O.K.

You will then have to check the wiring for a loose or corroded connection.

Once you establish which one is the positive (+) connector on the bulb, attach a positive (+) 12 volt source straight to that point.

If it is still glows yellow, then most likely the negative (-) connection is faulty. Closely inspect the negative (-) connection to locate the fault.

However, if it glows bright, you will have to move back along the circuit in the direction of the switch injecting a positive (+) 12 volts at various points along the circuit until the light suddenly glows yellow (i.e. the fault is somewhere between that point and the bulb). This will be the area where the fault is.

You can also purchase a 12 volt test light to check for voltage continuity. This tester has a needle sharp point that pricks through the insulation and penetrates the wire. It is relatively easy to find where a circuit goes faulty with one of these handy little devices.

gwoiler · Post by **gwoiler** » 05 Oct 2006, 13:41

There is abrasion on the bumper near tyhe fog light and even wheni it is off it looks like there is orange crud in the glass. Something is up with it. I have not removed it from the car because I need to buy some torx drivers, but just looking at it looks like it should separate into 2 pieces. But I could not do it under the car. I had thought of low voltage until I saw the colored glass.

Glenn

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 05 Oct 2006, 22:57

Be very, very, careful dis-assembling the foglight as the external protective glass cover is very fragile.

Yes, it is possible to pull the foglight apart.

If it is like mine remove the plastic beam adjustor handle by preventing the threaded shaft from turing with a phillips screwdriver and winding the plastic adjusor off.

After this is done, the two main halves of the foglight should/will separate.

It is now easy to access the lens that magnifies the light beam. Carefully prise up the three retaining clips and remove the magnifying lens.

Clean and dry this lens with a soft cloth dipped in methylated spirits (is perfect for doing this).

Next, remove any accumulated road dirt/watermarks from the inside of the glass protective lens. Over time it is possible for muddy water to get past the rubber seal ring (something like an old toothbrush and luke warm soapy water will clean the lens beautifully).

But please be careful with the glass lens as it will shatter very easily if you inadvertently bump it against something hard (e.g. a porcelain hand basin).

If the lens gets damaged then you may as well throw away the rest of the foglight as I'm reasonably certain you cannot to buy the glass replacement lens anywhere.