Front indicator bulb

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:57 am

Hello, team. Been a while since on here.
Question is this. Front indicator bulb gave up, so got the New Zealand Volvo folk to order a new one. As the original one I removed was a clear bulb, I was a bit puzzled the replacement they supplied was orange/yellow coloured.
Anyway, it doesn't work. Turn the indicator on and I hear the ticking at twice the speed of the correctly working other one. And the rear flashed at that fast speed. But nothing from the front.
Any ideas?
Many thanks from All Black land.

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:59 am

Only a few days left to get this sorted before MOT.
Cheers.

kev · Post by **kev** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:45 am

Can`t they supply you with an original bulb? 21W BA15S.
Did the indicators work at the correct speed before your
bulb went?
Could be an earth fault?
Hope you get it sorted.

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:28 pm

Thanks Kev.

You advise 21W BA15s, what I have 21WBAU15s.

Maybe it's the right bulb and the extra "U" just refers to colour? Any ideas?

Anyway, doesn't work as explained.

Thank you.

kev · Post by **kev** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:05 am

Try a clear one again as they are cheap so can`t hurt.
What happens when you try the hazard warning lights?
I know these are related to the fuse and the same relay
which is in the CEM.

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:40 am

Thanks mate.
The hazard lights work fine. Apart from the indicator light which I've removed and cannot get the damn orange bulb out of the housing. So, not the fuse.
Best.
P

Frantic · Post by **Frantic** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:49 pm

Tripper wrote:... cannot get the damn orange bulb out of the housing. So, not the fuse. ...

The bulb is put in the wrong way
I had the same with a friend's 480
Had to smash the glass of the bulb, before I could use a plier to remove the metal casing
Check the new bulb's pins sit right, before you push down and turn in it's final place

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:57 am

G'day, Frantic.
Took the thing to the Volvo, Jaguar, Porsche, Bentley agents today. They indeed had to break the bulb and remove with pliers as per your message.
The parts guy reckons he's sorted with a Porsche 21w bulb. I'll pick it up tomorrow. Says it slotted in perfectly, makes contact and clicks in and out easily. Reckon it'll work?
Regards.
P

kev · Post by **kev** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:27 am

Have faith the 480 god may smile upon you.

I will be going to NZ in december on holiday so if you have any probs
getting bulbs or oyher small items let me know.

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:03 am

The indicator now works.
Trouble is, the pop ups have gone on strike now. Lights come on but pop ups don't lift.
Bloody 480's.

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:29 am

Ah, pain in the arse problem, but simple to explain. Any problems with the circuits for the front lights seem to trip the system for the pop-up motors in the 480. I had this a couple times, whilst it's non-scientific, I just played with bulbs/wiring looms until it fixed itself, thankfully not to return. A good way to gauge that things are ok is to unplug the white circular connectors for the pop up motors, manually raise the lights, then check all the light circuits out (you may want to check all the bulbs especially the DLR's and liberal use of WD40 on the connectors never hurt). When you plug the connectors back in (remember to have the light switch set to the on position first), switch the lights off and they should close via the motors. When the problem is fixed, they will also open via the motors too, however it's a good way of confirming that the motors/relay etc are still working.

As for the orange bulb, simple...pre 94 cars had orange clusters hence clear bulbs, newer cars came with clear ones so used Orange bulbs so they were still legal. The actual bulb is just the same and you can always gently remove the light orange coating to make it clear again if your too cheap to buy a new one.

stu chacks · Post by **stu chacks** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:00 am

Think I've seen on an old post, if you put non-standard bulbs in it can have a knock-on effect with other electrics (inc pop-ups).

Tip: I've found when changing drl bulbs it's easier to take the headlight out and replace the bulb from the back rather than try to remove the clusters and 5/10 they end up cracking (what is it with Volvo plastic!?!).

Good luck anyway!

Stu.

Tripper · Post by **Tripper** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:44 am

Thanks all.
Had the 480 master take a look this morning.
Fixed the pop-ups in just a few minutes.
Next was a look at the dead speedo.
Not much the Matbat doesn't know about these pernicious, crap electronics. The man is a whizz.
Took the dash out in super quick time, less than 5 minutes, but he was a bit rusty having not touched a 480 for quite some while. Re-soldered all the dry and cracked joints, re-installed dash even quicker.
What a great guy.
Some of our best beers going his way as thanks.

Volvo 480 Club Europe

Front indicator bulb

Front indicator bulb

Anyone please?

bulb

bulb

bulb

Thanks

MATBAT helped out today.