High beams on both sides not functioning

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:04 pm

Hi there

The high beams on my Volvo 480es 1990 are not functioning. When I say highbeams, I mean the ones next to the permanent side lights...

I thought it could simply be the bulb, but after replacing that it is apparent the issue is more serious.

I checked the fuse (if I am reading the list correctly, it's fuse 16) and it looks ok. The same fuse controls the horn and that functions fine.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be causing these lights not to functions?

Many thanks guys

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:51 pm

you have to press the switch next to the heated seat switches and put the head lights on full before they will work.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:56 am

Hi Derek

It reads in the manual:
"Main Beam Flasher - pull towards steering wheel.
With retracted headlamps, Long range lamps come on instead of main beams
With ignition key removed, headlamps burn for 30 seconds"

My car does neither of these things

I also get a Bulb Failure Warning every time I start the car, but there aren't any other bulbs out other than these high beams.

I'm beginning to presume it may be the wiring - does any one know where to start looking?

Yossarian · Post by **Yossarian** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:08 am

I've got a bulb fail warning light on too, although it's temperamental, as it's actually the brake lights test light, and about 5/10 times I can stamp on the brake pedal immediately on turning the car on and it'll go off.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:35 am

Hi Yossarian

The bulb failure light, according to the instructions, is meant to stay on till you first use the brake pedal. So stamping on the brakes a few times probably should switch it off!

That's not to say I think the warning light is really doing its job properly. It seems pretty temperamental to me...

Yossarian · Post by **Yossarian** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:23 am

Yeh, as I said, sometimes it'll stay on, even though I know all the brake lights are working.

Although for the MOT I was told that a number plate bulb was broken, which would explain it as well.

Sorry I cannot help with your problem, though. I've only used main beams a couple of times as I don't venture into the country side at night, and I didn't even know about "long range lamps" until I opened this thread!

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:34 am

get a voltmeter and check the wire connectors to the bulb,

do the lights work normally and only fail on the flash from stalk?

look up a chart for the relays and see if one controls this (unlikely) but worh a try

the last function on the list I wouldnt worry about who would use it anyway and might not be enabled on your model..

as the manuals are year specific not model specific and there are huge differences between an s and an es

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:15 pm

Hi Jim

The lights simply don't work at all - from the stalk, from the switch by the heated seats or the "guide me home" function.

I didn't realise it would be so annoying, but I find myself reaching for it to flash people on and thank people but nothing happens

I guess I must be a compulsive flasher

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:15 pm

faulty stalk if they do not flash when pulled back.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:19 pm

Martin-

The 'full-beam' lights on the pop-ups work fine when using the stalk - it's only the highbeam (when pop-ups are down) that don't work.

Do you still feel this could be an issue with the stalk? Also, I believe with the headlights on, the switch by the heated seats should turn them on... but that doesn't.

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:39 pm

Problem with 480's electrics there not good to start with. The later models are better but now these cars are getting old.

Bit confused

So pop ups are OK

But you can not get the spot lights to stay on when the head lights are down?

but they do flash on the stalk ?

so I must be well confused and tired since just completed 144hr at work.

in short the spot lights only flash with a stalk. the button if on make the spot lights stay on only if main beam is on (pop up's UP and pull back stalk)

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:32 pm

Hi Martin

Sorry if I confuse things.

I have NEVER got the highbeam lights (that's the ones next to side lights in my book) to work.

I believe, with no lights on, using the stalk you should be able to flash these highbeam lights? (for example, you want to let someone in in traffic)...

With the pop-ups open, I can get 'full beam' on the pop-ups to work but NOT the highbeam ones to work.

I have tried using the switch next to heated seats with the headlights on. I have tried using the switch and the stalk, but the only full-beams I get are from the pop-ups.

This means, at the moment, to flash my lights, I have to open the pop-ups which ain't very quick!!

I hope I haven't made this even less clear...

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:46 pm

On a slight side note, would a dodgy highbeam bulb set off the Bulb Failure Warning?

I'm not 100% sure which bulbs the Bulb Failure checks?

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:49 pm

@surrealjam completely understand your problem if near glasgow I can loan you a stalk to check if its that but I keep thinking relays. Need to check up on that one .

regards jim

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:50 pm

yes a dodgy bulb should.

i would think all the external main lights are linked to this system. Things like heater lights etc are not.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:00 pm

I am guessing the bulb failure warning is related to this issue then as I can't see any other bulbs out.

I can't really back this up, but I don't believe it is a stalk issue. Unfortunately, I'm down in Birmingham so it's not viable to test it with you, Jim! Thanks for the offer though.

It sounds like it could be relay related. Would this be contained in the unit under the bonnet, immediately infront of the dash?

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:05 pm

yes the only relays not locaed in the black riangular pod are the dip dim relay and the fuel relay and the ignition relay.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:49 pm

I presume the dim/dip relay would not control these lights?

Am I right assuming the dim/dip is just for the pop-ups...

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:52 pm

correct from what I found one when i had to replace it.

tbh I'm still not sure what your problem is.

surrealjam · Post by **surrealjam** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:01 pm

haha. I think I've confused matters by going into too much detail.

Martin, the long and short of it:

1) I have replaced highbeam bulbs.

2) Checked fuse controlling highbeams.

3) Highbeam still does not function under any circumstances - I have tried all combination of things using the stalk and the switch by the heated seat controls.

In order to get a 'flash', I must raise the pop-ups first - not very practical