Bulb failure warning light

345DL · Mar 10th, 2011, 20:12

Hi

I wonder if anyone can suggest why my bulb failure warning lamp is permanently on when my day runners are on?

I shall set the scene...

When I first bought my car, the day runners didn't work (as the fuse was fried). At that time, when there were no lights on, the warning light was not lit up (except when touching the brake pedal as my centre brake lamp is missing). However, the warning light came on when the main headlamps were on.

I have now fixed the fuse for the day runners, and they now work perfectly. But now, the bulb failure light is on all the time. I have replaced all the bulbs in the day running system with brand-new bulbs (tail-lights and front day runners), to no avail.

Any ideas what else I can try?

rtbcomp · Mar 10th, 2011, 20:17

The bulb failure systen works by comparing the current on each side of the vehicle for each circuit, so if the bulbs are mismatched the failure light may come on.

240 · Mar 10th, 2011, 20:39

i had this fault when i got my 240 and it was actually down to the bulbs that i fitted, dont know why but i changed them for a new matching pair and it cured the problem, it could also be a problem with the bulb fittings in the lenses give them a rub and clean up and gently bend the fittings in then refit the bulbs this should hopefully cure it

345DL · Mar 10th, 2011, 22:54

I have already replaced all the bulbs (in pairs), so I will have a look at the bulb fittings next. Hopefully it'll be that simple!

tannachyallen · Mar 12th, 2011, 14:56

Hi,

the bulb integrity sensor can be a source of problems in itself. It's behind your glove box, cylindrical and white or green. Have a look at Paul240480's thread: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=118932.

Regards,

Dave A.

Paul240480 · Mar 12th, 2011, 17:15

Failing the above good advice. Have you got a towbar fitted? If yes check the sockets for corrosion, if coroded give em a clean up. Crud in the towbar sockets can,for some reason trip the bulb failure warning system

dan 244 · Mar 13th, 2011, 00:09

I belive front sidlight should only be 3w, if 5w bulbs are fitted this can cause the fault.

tannachyallen · Mar 13th, 2011, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan 244

I belive front sidlight should only be 3w, if 5w bulbs are fitted this can cause the fault.

I'v got these installed on the front of mine:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170555939412

they are under 2w and I've had no issues - very bright as well.

Regards,

Dave A.

Clan · Mar 13th, 2011, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan 244

I belive front sidlight should only be 3w, if 5w bulbs are fitted this can cause the fault.

The front side lights must be 5 w by law on any car ( dont ask me why the early s40 has 4w sidelight bulbs it must have slipped through the homologation tests ) There must be allowances now too due to LED front side lights appearing ..

240 · Mar 13th, 2011, 19:28

hi
thanks for the link.

would you have a photo to show how bright they are?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tannachyallen

I'v got these installed on the front of mine:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170555939412

they are under 2w and I've had no issues - very bright as well.

Regards,

Dave A.

Mar 10th, 2011, 20:12	#1
345DL VOC Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2023 18:18 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cambridge View Photos By: 345DL	Bulb failure warning light Hi I wonder if anyone can suggest why my bulb failure warning lamp is permanently on when my day runners are on? I shall set the scene... When I first bought my car, the day runners didn't work (as the fuse was fried). At that time, when there were no lights on, the warning light was not lit up (except when touching the brake pedal as my centre brake lamp is missing). However, the warning light came on when the main headlamps were on. I have now fixed the fuse for the day runners, and they now work perfectly. But now, the bulb failure light is on all the time. I have replaced all the bulbs in the day running system with brand-new bulbs (tail-lights and front day runners), to no avail. Any ideas what else I can try? __________________ Current Volvos: 1977 343 DL Vario; 1979 343 DL; 1980 345 DL; 1982 Volvo 245 GLT; 1985 340 DL Vario; 2014 V40 R-Design D4

Mar 10th, 2011, 20:39	#3
240 BOB MY BIG OLD BUS Last Online: Jan 15th, 2014 01:06 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NORTH EAST	i had this fault when i got my 240 and it was actually down to the bulbs that i fitted, dont know why but i changed them for a new matching pair and it cured the problem, it could also be a problem with the bulb fittings in the lenses give them a rub and clean up and gently bend the fittings in then refit the bulbs this should hopefully cure it __________________ ~ Never, ever, argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ~

Mar 10th, 2011, 22:54	#4
345DL VOC Member Last Online: Jun 10th, 2023 18:18 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cambridge View Photos By: 345DL	I have already replaced all the bulbs (in pairs), so I will have a look at the bulb fittings next. Hopefully it'll be that simple! __________________ Current Volvos: 1977 343 DL Vario; 1979 343 DL; 1980 345 DL; 1982 Volvo 245 GLT; 1985 340 DL Vario; 2014 V40 R-Design D4

Mar 12th, 2011, 14:56	#5
tannachyallen 240SE Last Online: Mar 4th, 2019 20:44 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Strath Brora	Hi, the bulb integrity sensor can be a source of problems in itself. It's behind your glove box, cylindrical and white or green. Have a look at Paul240480's thread: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=118932. Regards, Dave A. __________________ 240 SE Auto 1991

Mar 12th, 2011, 17:15	#6
Paul240480 Ovlovnut Last Online: Feb 25th, 2024 08:58 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nivillac View Photos By: Paul240480	Failing the above good advice. Have you got a towbar fitted? If yes check the sockets for corrosion, if coroded give em a clean up. Crud in the towbar sockets can,for some reason trip the bulb failure warning system __________________ 2004 V70 2.4SE Auto 'The Welshmobile’ 2002 Laika Ecovip 400i ( Motorhome on an Iveco 2.8TD) http://www.gitessouthbrittany.com/ http://moncopainmonchien.jimdo.com/

Mar 10th, 2011, 20:17	#2
rtbcomp Senior Member Last Online: Apr 9th, 2024 15:02 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sheffield	The bulb failure systen works by comparing the current on each side of the vehicle for each circuit, so if the bulbs are mismatched the failure light may come on.

Mar 13th, 2011, 00:09	#7
dan 244 Master Member Last Online: May 25th, 2024 00:30 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norwich	I belive front sidlight should only be 3w, if 5w bulbs are fitted this can cause the fault.

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