5w DRL's ?

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oldgitdave
Started learning about 480
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Location: UK

5w DRL's ?

Post by oldgitdave » Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:45 pm

I was lucky enough to be given some cash at Christmas & decided to buy new front light clusters :D. They came from The Netherlands & had both the indicator & DRL bulb holders fitted, though the DRL's were the European 5w fittings. Anyway, using the original bulb holders I thought I'd try & keep the new clusters pristine & avoid the dreaded toasting of the plastic lenses by fitting LED's. I've tried everything to fit LED 21w/4w bulbs but they've either not dimmed or have stopped the pop-ups working & the light is so white it doesn't match the headlights or spotlights so would probably fail the MOT here in the UK. So my question is... can I use the European 5w holders & fit 5w bulbs? Is it legal in the UK & will everything still work? We all know how sensitive the 480 electrics can be :eek:
I would really like to fit warm white LED 21w/4w but haven't been able to find any anywhere. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Cheers,
Dave
Current:
1995 'M' 480 ES Auto S/R 'Dusty'
2010 RAV4

Previous:
2002 S60 2.0L Turbo Auto
1995 'N' 480 Celebration Auto 443/480

timrosser
Advanced 480 rookie
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Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by timrosser » Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:37 pm

I got some led driving lights off Spree and they are great, they keep the lens cool and the temp builds slowly so there is no super fast led on / off thing.Mine has been through 2 mots with them, although I think your right, technically I should have been picked up on that but they look very natural!

oldgitdave
Started learning about 480
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Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by oldgitdave » Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:44 pm

Thanks timrosser, I did pm Spree but got no response I guess it's a while back since he did the LED's. For now I'm running with the LED's that don't dim. Not due for MOT for a while yet :D
Current:
1995 'M' 480 ES Auto S/R 'Dusty'
2010 RAV4

Previous:
2002 S60 2.0L Turbo Auto
1995 'N' 480 Celebration Auto 443/480

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glasgowjim
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by glasgowjim » Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:41 pm

I have been through a number of mots (5) and I have the 5w european drls and there has never been a problem with them. They are a lot better than the uk ones and to be honest your car is 20+ years old how the hell would they know what it should like!

so dont worry about it .

ps they are legal

and yes everything still works :D :D :D

oldgitdave
Started learning about 480
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by oldgitdave » Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:29 am

That's brilliant Jim, thanks :D. I'll give mine a go. I was a bit worried they would switch off or only come on once the pop-ups were active as they only have 2 connections & not 3. Should save the front plastics from burning eh? Wish I'd tried this before buying the LED's :nuts:
Current:
1995 'M' 480 ES Auto S/R 'Dusty'
2010 RAV4

Previous:
2002 S60 2.0L Turbo Auto
1995 'N' 480 Celebration Auto 443/480

Martin Mc
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Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by Martin Mc » Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:18 am

My DRL are not only toast, but now broken both sides - I'd like to replace the clusters entirely both sides (one is a late clear version, one an orange). Is there a website for the Netherlands supplier?

Thanks

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

oldgitdave
Started learning about 480
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by oldgitdave » Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:55 pm

Hi Martin,

I had mine from here: http://www.estateservices.nl .
Looks like I had the last ones as they're not available now :(

Regards,
Dave
Current:
1995 'M' 480 ES Auto S/R 'Dusty'
2010 RAV4

Previous:
2002 S60 2.0L Turbo Auto
1995 'N' 480 Celebration Auto 443/480

nixell
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Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by nixell » Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:26 pm

You can get ones from a Volvo dealership through the spare parts shop. I used this method got get a pair of new OEM parts, the later, clear white model for my Turbo. Mind you that was several years ago, so I'm not sure they are still available.
'92 480 Turbo Graphite Grey
'03 S60R Barents Blue
'20 BMW 320d Xdrive

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: 5w DRL's ?

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Oct 24, 2018 2:04 pm

Ah, those were the days! Unfortunately neither colour indicator cluster is available new anywhere now. If you are patient, you will eventually find a decent pair on eBay as they do come up, often from Europe.‎ You might even get new-old-stock.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

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