Headlight and long range driving lamp flash

[royhedger]

New 480 turbo owner here with some initial electrical faults to rectify.

Drivers side headlight is a bit temperamental, sometimes it pops up, sometimes not. It always goes down. If it doesn't pop up and I move it slightly by hand it goes up under it's own steam.

Lights do not flash when headlights down. On my old 480 the long range lamps would flash if the headlights are down.

Any help with above greatly appreciated.

R

[WillC9303]

Lights do not flash when headlights down. On my old 480 the long range lamps would flash if the headlights are down.

The first thing I'd check is that the long range lamps are actually on. The switch for them is next to the heated seat buttons.

[royhedger]

The switch is on. It was first thing I looked at.

Wondering if there's a separate circuit on the flasher stalk for when the lights are not on, and this is faulty some how.

Or could be CEM. If it's CEM, can this be repaired?

[davekit]

Headlights not only have a motor in them, but also a gas strut (like a small version of that on the tailgate) to assist. If the strut gets weak, the motor will have to work extra hard, and may BURN OUT. Motors are only available second hand, struts can be found new, but can take a long time to arrive (eg from Poland). My advice is stop deploying the headlights, and dismantle them to check the struts.

The switch for the long range lamps will only have any effect when the headlamps are on - I think only on main beam. I can't check my car at the moment as it is away having some bodywork done. Headlights will flash if they are deployed, otherwise the long range lamps should flash. This logic is controlled by the CEM I believe. If this is faulty, I would expect some other faults to show up. My car arrived with a CEM fitted and a spare, neither of which were 100%, and showing different faults. One was repaired, but the other could not be fixed. The repair was done by someone advertising on Ebay to fix CEMs on later Volvos - so they still go wrong! I think he was trading as Pro-lux Electronics. You may glean some more info about faults and fixes from my 9-part report 'Recommissioning a 480', or from numerous other posts on the forum from others more knowledgible than me!

There are no problems, only challenges!

[dcwalker]

Pop-up might just be a lazy motor - could be worth giving the brinkie-winkie dance a try...

Auxiliary lights should flash when the headlights are down, which is a CEM function. That happens regardless of the dashboard switch position. When the headlights are up (which is also a CEM function) the auxiliary lights will only operate with main beam if the dashboard switch is "on".

I'm not quite clear from your post when they are or aren't working in terms of what I've said above. Probably me missing somethng! But for problems with these lights there are three things to look at:

Even if your main beam headlights work, the stalk could be at fault. It was a common failure on these - the "pressure" switch for beam flash failed, but the "click" on and off for main beam didn't;

If they don't flash when the headlights are down AND they don't come on regardless of the switch being "on" when headlights are up, that is probably a CEM issue (assuming, of course, both bulbs arent blown and both lights are actually connected up!)

If they flash with headlights down, but don't come on with main beam when switch is "on", the switch itself is probably faulty.

Hope that helps a bit!

David

[royhedger]

Hi David,
Thanks for the reply. The driving lights don't flash when the headlights are down and off.

They work fine when the lights are up and they come on with the high beam.

I've noticed that if the lights are up, but only sidelights on, I've no headlights, then the do not work either.

Is this the switch at fault?

Can I test it but shorting out some terminals on the switch?

Kr,

Roy

[dcwalker]

Hi Roy

Ah, thanks - I think I've got the full picture now!

Right, if the lights are coming on with full beam with headlights up, then clearly the bulbs, connections and the dashboard switch are all ok.

If you put sidelights on with the engine off, the headlights will come up but they will not be lit; the 5w bulbs in the DRLs (the dimmer ones) will be lit though (as "parking lights").

If you have the engine running and turn the headlight knob to side lights, you should have the 5w bulbs in the DRLs lit and also the "dim-dip" lights in the main headlight units. I can't remember what percentage of dipped beam these are (might be a third?) but for a few years it was a UK legal requirement to prevent people driving solely on parking (side) lights. After a few years it was dropped.

The "main beam" aspect of the switch will only click on and off with pulling if dipped headlights are on. Otherwise it only operates the flasher function.

Does the "home-safe" function work (where the car is completely switched off, then you pull the headlamp flasher once and the auxiliary lights come on for 30 seconds before switching themselves off)? If not I'd start with looking at the switch, and then the CEM.

I can provide you with another stalk/switch to try if that would help?

David

[royhedger]

Hi David,
The home safe does not work either, I have just gone out to check.

If you could send me a switch I'd appreciate it just so I can rule that out.
KR,

Roy

[royhedger]

Just PM'd you David.

R

[dcwalker]

Just PM'd you David.

R

Just replied....

D

[royhedger]

Update.
Thanks to Dave Walker I now have functioning long range driving lamps. It was the stalk at fault.

I've also ordered a couple of headlight gas struts from SGS engineering in the UK .they also sell boot struts if anyone needs any.

R