2005 XC70 main beam not latching. Light switch is correct

[BL08]

I had to drive in the dark last night and couldn't get the main beam to stay on. I've checked the switch position and it won't latch for either option.
Any ideas please?

[XC70Bob]

So you need to have the light switch in the fully on position, that with the knob point at the dip beam symbol on the switch.

You then need to pull the stalk all the way back past point were you feel it click,
it should then stay on

If you have the light switch in the other position then you can only flash the main beam and it will not stay on.

Are the lights actually switching to main been and do you get the main beam indication on the dash ?

[BL08]

Originally Posted by XC70Bob

So you need to have the light switch in the fully on position, that with the knob point at the dip beam symbol on the switch.

You then need to pull the stalk all the way back past point were you feel it click,
it should then stay on

If you have the light switch in the other position then you can only flash the main beam and it will not stay on.

Are the lights actually switching to main been and do you get the main beam indication on the dash ?

Many thanks for the reply.

The dipped beam/DRLs work normally and pulling the stalk fully towards me engages main beam (and the blue dashboard light) but it won't stay engaged when I release the stalk. This is irrespective of the light switch position (twelve or nine o'clock).

I have been driving Volvos continuously for 24 years and this one for three so I'm familiar with what should happen. It's the fact that it isn't happening which has prompted me to ask if anyone else has experienced this and, more importantly, how it's fixed.

[XC70Bob]

So there are 2 possibilities.

1. Fault stalk switch , I know you can take the indicator side of the switch apart to clean the contacts but never tried the dip/high beam side.

2. Internal fault in the CEM as all the actual switching I'd done internally by the CEM .

So does the stalk actually feel like it's working correctly do you get the click that indicates you have switched to high beam ?

I wonder if you connected the car to Vida or a code reader that can connect to all the modules in the car if there would be any DTC's ?

[Missing Lincs]

Originally Posted by XC70Bob

So there are 2 possibilities.

1. Fault stalk switch , I know you can take the indicator side of the switch apart to clean the contacts but never tried the dip/high beam side.

2. Internal fault in the CEM as all the actual switching I'd done internally by the CEM .

So does the stalk actually feel like it's working correctly do you get the click that indicates you have switched to high beam ?

I wonder if you connected the car to Vida or a code reader that can connect to all the modules in the car if there would be any DTC's ?

It could also be a faulty headlight switch unit or no communication between the switch and the instrument cluster (I seem to remember that the light switch isn't directly connected to the CAN-Bus, the instrument cluster does the 'talking').

Do the other functions of the headlight switch work, eg side light only position, headlight levelling and foglights?

[BL08]

Thanks everyone. I spoke to a former Volvo tech and his immediate answer was that it's the stalk. I said that it must be an electronic problem not a mechanical one and he pointed out that there's a chip in the stalk.

Based on that I called my local parts department (with whom I get on very well) and described the symptoms. "Sounds like the stalk" was the reply.

So a new stalk arrives today and we'll see......

[BL08]

For anyone that's interested the new stalk has fixed the issue.