V70 Headlamp Bulbs - Dealer fit only?

[TedMaul]

Hi

Handy message on my 2005 v70 saying headlamp dip bulb gone. Went to Halfords and they say dealer fit only..... Not Xenon system, but even so - lass came and looked at car to double check, definately dealer only????

Nasty feeling this is going to cost and certainly won't be covered under warranty. Anyone else had this?

Ted

[signia]

Might not be of any help as I think the headlight design is a little different (does it have that crystal type look?), but I've changed mine in my 03 S60.

On autobulbs direct, they don't seem to differentiate - the category is 97-00, 00-01 and 01-

I'd give it a go myself. Manufacturers are stupid for making consumables dealer fit only. Next it will be wiper blades!

[TedMaul]

signia said:

Might not be of any help as I think the headlight design is a little different (does it have that crystal type look?), but I've changed mine in my 03 S60.

On autobulbs direct, they don't seem to differentiate - the category is 97-00, 00-01 and 01-

I'd give it a go myself. Manufacturers are stupid for making consumables dealer fit only. Next it will be wiper blades!

autobulbs show the same bulb that Halfords had, but doesn't look anything like the one thats already in the car. One in the car has some sort of grey cylinder over the end of the bulb (the glass end). The grey cylinder has slots in it, odd looking thing, never noticed it before. Can't find any piccies to link.

Will read the manual when I get home as hopefully the bulb is standard and the grey odd thing is removable and is some strange part of the car.

Thanks

Ted

[TedMaul]

Just found owners manual on web and suggests part is standard H7 bulb and 3 yr old can swap it. Note to self : disgregard anything anyone from Halfords says.

[TedMaul]

Now I have the bulbs,but manual says headmalmp cluster needs to be removed before you swap the bulbs, but doesn't tell you how?

Surely someone else must have done this, even Volvo community forums have no answer!

[Cider Andy]

TedMaul said:

Now I have the bulbs,but manual says headmalmp cluster needs to be removed before you swap the bulbs, but doesn't tell you how?

Surely someone else must have done this, even Volvo community forums have no answer!

I'm not surprised it says that, as access is very tight.

The lamp fitting is much the same as in most cars: dust cap on back is a bayonet fit, wiring connector pulls off, lamp is held in by a spring wire. If you're familiar with this set-up you can feel your way around it and replace the lamp with the headlamp unit in place.

Unless you have hands like shovels....

[TedMaul]

Cider Andy said:

TedMaul said:

Now I have the bulbs,but manual says headmalmp cluster needs to be removed before you swap the bulbs, but doesn't tell you how?

Surely someone else must have done this, even Volvo community forums have no answer!

I'm not surprised it says that, as access is very tight.

The lamp fitting is much the same as in most cars: dust cap on back is a bayonet fit, wiring connector pulls off, lamp is held in by a spring wire. If you're familiar with this set-up you can feel your way around it and replace the lamp with the headlamp unit in place.

Unless you have hands like shovels....

On the drivers side you would need hands made of rubber as the gap is only about 2cm. In fact, I doubt you could wiggle a new bulb back in. Latest on Volvo community forum says you have to remove bumper first, then light clusters!!

I'll call the dealer this afternoon as car is under warranty and under 40k miles. They may do a deal if I pay for new bulbs and they do the labour as I doubt they will use the bulbs I bought from Halfords last night

[Cider Andy]

TedMaul said:

On the drivers side you would need hands made of rubber as the gap is only about 2cm. In fact, I doubt you could wiggle a new bulb back in.

Ahh! I did the other side (and that was tight) but I didn't have the car here to check, sorry.

[TedMaul]

Cider Andy said:

TedMaul said:

On the drivers side you would need hands made of rubber as the gap is only about 2cm. In fact, I doubt you could wiggle a new bulb back in.

Ahh! I did the other side (and that was tight) but I didn't have the car here to check, sorry.

Called dealer who said if I buy a new bulb from them, they will fit it FOC. Can't really argue with that so thanks Harrats Wakefield!!

[valve bounce66]

how much is the bulb? £150 ? seriously do they know the bumper and headlamp has to come off on the o/s and n/s requires air filter box removing,if they will do for free your on a big winner.

Edited by valve bounce66 on Tuesday 22 January 22:16

[A - W]

Volvo main dealers will generally change bulbs FOC (if you pay for the bulb).
There is the condition though that the servicing etc stay with the garage though.
If it isn't on their service records and it is out of warranty they don't like it in my experience.

My experiences of Harratts in Bradford and Huddersfield have been positive though.

Sadly mine is out of warranty now so I am using an indy in my area.
Generally his prices are half that of Volvo and that is still using genuine parts etc.

[TedMaul]

valve bounce66 said:

how much is the bulb? £150 ? seriously do they know the bumper and headlamp has to come off on the o/s and n/s requires air filter box removing,if they will do for free your on a big winner.

Edited by valve bounce66 on Tuesday 22 January 22:16

They charged me £9 all in and yes, my servicing is through them as will be the MOT when its needed. Job done in 20 mins!

[anonymous-user]

Mmmm I *know* I've read about this before but I can't find the post..... Check the top of the headlamp there may be a metal clip on top. Remove this and the entire headlamp unit should lift right out, change bulb, put it back, replace clip. There are some posts that suggest the bumper has to come off to change the bulb but I seriously can't believe that, not even from Volvo under Ford ownership.... please god no......

Cheers,
John

[valve bounce66]

850_T5 said:

Mmmm I *know* I've read about this before but I can't find the post..... Check the top of the headlamp there may be a metal clip on top. Remove this and the entire headlamp unit should lift right out, change bulb, put it back, replace clip. There are some posts that suggest the bumper has to come off to change the bulb but I seriously can't believe that, not even from Volvo under Ford ownership.... please god no......

Cheers,
John

the clips are only on xc90 and new s40

[F i F]

valve bounce66 said:

850_T5 said:

Mmmm I *know* I've read about this before but I can't find the post..... Check the top of the headlamp there may be a metal clip on top. Remove this and the entire headlamp unit should lift right out, change bulb, put it back, replace clip. There are some posts that suggest the bumper has to come off to change the bulb but I seriously can't believe that, not even from Volvo under Ford ownership.... please god no......

Cheers,
John

the clips are only on xc90 and new s40

and the V50, new bulbs, 3 mins flat.

But you have to take various bits and bobs off on the V70, doesn't take that long when you know what to take off and what can be just loosened and edged out of the way, but it's a git of a job first time tbh.

[After_Shock]

A - W said:

Volvo main dealers will generally change bulbs FOC (if you pay for the bulb).
There is the condition though that the servicing etc stay with the garage though.
If it isn't on their service records and it is out of warranty they don't like it in my experience.

My experiences of Harratts in Bradford and Huddersfield have been positive though.

Sadly mine is out of warranty now so I am using an indy in my area.
Generally his prices are half that of Volvo and that is still using genuine parts etc.

Providing you buy the bulb the majority of dealers will fit it FOC as its not worth the paperwork raising an invoice, they also wont be chewed taking reg numbers and checking the service history of the car to say no as its more effort than its worth.

[Skodaku]

TedMaul said:

Just found owners manual on web and suggests part is standard H7 bulb and 3 yr old can swap it. Note to self : disgregard anything anyone from Halfords says.

pre-05 facelift it's a 10 minute job. Post-facelift it's not unless you have miniature hands and ET fingers.

The Volvo forums have lots of advice...............such as "just whip off the front bumper cover.............". Yeah, right.

[phil_the_bassist]

I bought some replacement H7 bulbs for my 2001 V70, got to the blown bulb fine, no space issues, no clip issues and definately no bumper removal...BUT the old bulb is a completely different construction and I can't find any reference to this type of bulb anywhere. It looks similar to the H7 but without the flat ring of metal around the bottom.

Any suggestions?

[valve bounce66]

2001 cars are easy to get to,the bulb is a h7,just flick the clip to the side and pull clip back and insert new bulb,it has a locating lug so will only fit one way,are you trying to change the main beam bulb? this looks totally different

regards Paul.

[Igg]

I've replaced 2001 model V70 headlight bulbs, rear bulbs etc. but, fiddly and when Volvo dealer will do it FOC for the price of a bulb (no more expensive for bulbs than Halfords), these days I just drive into local Volvo dealer - job done!