HELP! 240 Headlight Problems

neilnelson · May 22nd, 2015, 17:03

Hi there,

Can some one help me with my headlamp woes?

My sidelights work as normal. My low beams and daytime running lamps work as normal (I think), but when i try to put my highbeams on, the low beams go out and no high bemas come on. Also, the high beam light in the dash doesn;t come on.

Is this a relay problem?

hennabm · May 22nd, 2015, 17:27

Certainly sounds a possibility.

May also be the fuse?

D19VDM · May 22nd, 2015, 17:37

Sounds like it could be the high/low step relay that's bolted to the inner wing. Can you hear it click when you work the switch?

neilnelson · May 22nd, 2015, 17:39

All fuses are fine, these are new bulbs too. the fact the high beam light on the dash doesn't come makes me think it is a relay that is just related to the high beam?

Does anyone know where this is/where I can get a replacement?

I don't think it could be the switch as the switches all do something, its just there is no high beam.

Also - I need new headlight adjuster screws - the plastic ones seem to have snapped so one lamp swings a little freely. MOT tomorrow, need to try and source some asap.

neilnelson · May 22nd, 2015, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by D19VDM

Sounds like it could be the high/low step relay that's bolted to the inner wing. Can you hear it click when you work the switch?

The switch on the stalk?

neilnelson · May 22nd, 2015, 17:43

Yes, I can definately hear it clicking under the bonnet when i switch it from the stalk. Does this mean it isn't broken?

Beetledrive · May 22nd, 2015, 17:51

My main beam stopped working a while back. I found that the terminals on the relay next to the battery had corroded (again!). I cleaned them up with some wire wool and wet and dry paper and it was working back to normal again.

I don't know which year car you have but headlight reflector clips for the later style are part number 1307452. They are £2.20+vat each from Volvo. I doubt you will be able to order them in time though. Replacing them is not a fun job if the headlight unit screws have seized, but it is possible.

neilnelson · May 22nd, 2015, 18:01

Next to the battery?

I have silver relay that clicks opposite the battery (on the drivers side, UK) that looks like this one: http://www.davebarton.com/1307991headlightrelay.jpg

What does the one on the passenger side look like?

Beetledrive · May 22nd, 2015, 18:22

I think you must have an older car. My battery is on the passengers side, and the relay is next to the power steering pump. Still, it looks similar to your link. It can't hurt to have a look and see if it's a bit green.

VOLVO GHILLIE · May 22nd, 2015, 19:07

I had a similar problem two months ago on my 93 240se estate. An auto electrician traced it to a corroded earth wire which was attached in the engine compartment on the driver side inner wing. I did note that it was a very thin wire but did cure the problem........

May 22nd, 2015, 17:03	#1
neilnelson Junior Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2018 14:35 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham	HELP! 240 Headlight Problems Hi there, Can some one help me with my headlamp woes? My sidelights work as normal. My low beams and daytime running lamps work as normal (I think), but when i try to put my highbeams on, the low beams go out and no high bemas come on. Also, the high beam light in the dash doesn;t come on. Is this a relay problem?

May 22nd, 2015, 17:27	#2
hennabm Senior Member Last Online: May 25th, 2024 14:08 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Edinburgh	Certainly sounds a possibility. May also be the fuse? __________________ 1989 240DL estate 1982 323i 2012 Punto Easy 1.4 2010 116d 2011 X3 3.0d

May 22nd, 2015, 17:43	#6
neilnelson Junior Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2018 14:35 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham	Yes, I can definately hear it clicking under the bonnet when i switch it from the stalk. Does this mean it isn't broken? Last edited by neilnelson; May 22nd, 2015 at 17:46.

May 22nd, 2015, 17:37	#3
D19VDM VOC Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2024 20:54 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Falkirk View Photos By: D19VDM	Sounds like it could be the high/low step relay that's bolted to the inner wing. Can you hear it click when you work the switch?

May 22nd, 2015, 17:39	#4
neilnelson Junior Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2018 14:35 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham	All fuses are fine, these are new bulbs too. the fact the high beam light on the dash doesn't come makes me think it is a relay that is just related to the high beam? Does anyone know where this is/where I can get a replacement? I don't think it could be the switch as the switches all do something, its just there is no high beam. Also - I need new headlight adjuster screws - the plastic ones seem to have snapped so one lamp swings a little freely. MOT tomorrow, need to try and source some asap.

May 22nd, 2015, 17:51	#7
Beetledrive Member Last Online: May 5th, 2019 21:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norwich	My main beam stopped working a while back. I found that the terminals on the relay next to the battery had corroded (again!). I cleaned them up with some wire wool and wet and dry paper and it was working back to normal again. I don't know which year car you have but headlight reflector clips for the later style are part number 1307452. They are £2.20+vat each from Volvo. I doubt you will be able to order them in time though. Replacing them is not a fun job if the headlight unit screws have seized, but it is possible.

May 22nd, 2015, 18:01	#8
neilnelson Junior Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2018 14:35 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Birmingham	Next to the battery? I have silver relay that clicks opposite the battery (on the drivers side, UK) that looks like this one: http://www.davebarton.com/1307991headlightrelay.jpg What does the one on the passenger side look like?

May 22nd, 2015, 18:22	#9
Beetledrive Member Last Online: May 5th, 2019 21:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norwich	I think you must have an older car. My battery is on the passengers side, and the relay is next to the power steering pump. Still, it looks similar to your link. It can't hurt to have a look and see if it's a bit green.

May 22nd, 2015, 19:07	#10
VOLVO GHILLIE Senior Member Last Online: Sep 1st, 2018 13:04 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: by Lairg Sutherland	I had a similar problem two months ago on my 93 240se estate. An auto electrician traced it to a corroded earth wire which was attached in the engine compartment on the driver side inner wing. I did note that it was a very thin wire but did cure the problem........

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