Electrics: No headlights, no rear wiper?

[slinky1989]

Hi All,

I've recently bought a 2000 V40 2.0 petrol (non-turbo).

It's rear wiper isn't working at all (tested it with new wiper motor and still same result, checked fuse in the cabin and no issues there)) and initially the passenger side headlight didn't work on main beam (swapped bulbs, same result, checked fuses in both engine bay and cabin and both ok too).

I've just today replaced the lower radiator hose and when I'd finished and went to move the car, found that neither headlights work any more!

Could I have disturbed the wiring under the radiator while doing the hose clamp? Could that be it? or is it more likely to be a CEM issue?

Are the issues related or 2 separate problems?

Any help would be appreciated!

[slinky1989]

Have ordered a CEM today to see if it resolves the issues. Will report back!

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

Your problem sounds suspiciously like a fault (corrosion) in the wiring loom beneath the radiator. This is a well known problem on these models and you will find multiple references to it on this forum.

While I cannot be certain that the wires to the lights and rear wiper actually are among the large number of wires running in the loom beneath the radiator the fact that the problem arose after having disturbed the wiring loom would strongly indicate this to be the problem. It is also supported by the fact that the fuses, bulbs etc appear OK.

I suffered this problem several years ago and wrote about it on this forum, I suggest you read this before buying any more replacement parts:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=180349

[slinky1989]

Thanks for the suggestion (and very helpful thread) Tom, unfortunately (or furtunately depending on how you look at it) I found no broken wires at all when I got under the car today.

So hopefully it will definitely be the CEM, but if not then I'm a bit lost!

[druid]

Dude the only way with the loom is to use a multi tester as the only tell tale is the cable looks a bit swollen. Maybe if your lucky.
To test the thing check the voltage at the holder 12+ at the holder with the bulb in O with it out - iirc.

[slinky1989]

Originally Posted by druid

Dude the only way with the loom is to use a multi tester as the only tell tale is the cable looks a bit swollen. Maybe if your lucky.
To test the thing check the voltage at the holder 12+ at the holder with the bulb in O with it out - iirc.

Well I replaced the CEM today and whilst this resolved the rear wiper issue, it brought back 1 headlamp but oddly it was the one that originally stopped working.

So I now have 1 working headlamp but it's the one that was ok before they both stopped working??? I think that's progress? ish?

I'll get a multimeter on it from work tomorrow to investigate your suggestion Druid.