V70 Headlamp Bulbs - Dealer fit only?

V70 Headlamp Bulbs - Dealer fit only?

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Discussion

DippedHeadlights

419 posts

203 months

Sunday 27th April 2008
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It is do-able on 2005 cars but access is tight - you need long thin fingers, best location for those is attached to a young female wink

My friend with said fingers is able to change the bulb in about 10 minutes.

One tip, buy best quality H7 bulbs (Philips) and try and resist the temptation for the super bright versions as they don't last as long.


mmmatt

1 posts

178 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
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Just fitted the dipped beam bulb to the passenger side of my 2005 V70. It can be done without removing the bumper! It is a bit fiddly because access is really poor with the air filter and wires in the way but it was a standard bulb from Halfords.

bemuzeduk

1 posts

166 months

Thursday 20th May 2010
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Phew, I've just changed the dipped beam bulb on my 54 plate V70, the fiddliest job ever, especially when the retaining clip came off with the old bulb! It's much tighter to work than the 52 plate V70, Volvo must have designed it to be deliberately difficult.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no novice, I've built my own kit car and changed dozens of engines & gearboxes, but this is keyhole surgery. (And yes, I do have hands like shovels)

Having started what I thought would be straightforward, I just would not give up though, and using a little mirror and torch, with multiple goes and lots of swearing, it is just about DIY.

However when the next one goes I am going to phone around Volvo dealers and find one who will supply and fit, its just not worth the hassle to do it yourself. Two hours plus of my time, well done Volvo (not)

cracked one off

2,706 posts

213 months

Thursday 20th May 2010
quotequote all
bemuzeduk said:
Phew, I've just changed the dipped beam bulb on my 54 plate V70, the fiddliest job ever, especially when the retaining clip came off with the old bulb! It's much tighter to work than the 52 plate V70, Volvo must have designed it to be deliberately difficult.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no novice, I've built my own kit car and changed dozens of engines & gearboxes, but this is keyhole surgery. (And yes, I do have hands like shovels)

Having started what I thought would be straightforward, I just would not give up though, and using a little mirror and torch, with multiple goes and lots of swearing, it is just about DIY.

However when the next one goes I am going to phone around Volvo dealers and find one who will supply and fit, its just not worth the hassle to do it yourself. Two hours plus of my time, well done Volvo (not)
the volvo standard time is 0.4 hour for the n/s and 0.7 hour for the o/s,need to partially remove the bumper o/s and remove the headlamp then replace the bulb.

2 hours to change rofl

paul72'

30 posts

185 months

Friday 21st May 2010
quotequote all
Take it to the main dealer, most fit bulbs for free and the tekkies have ginetically modified fingers to do this job quickly!!!!
wink

TedMaul

Original Poster:

2,092 posts

212 months

Friday 21st May 2010
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Yes local dealer well aware of problem, I normally call now and ask for one of their headlamp bulb specials..... They sort it in a lunchbreak usually...

Skyedriver

17,657 posts

281 months

Friday 28th May 2010
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Travel abroad and you need to carry spare bulbs for roadside replacement.....isn't it abut time manufacturers took a step back and made things simple again.

Makes mental note: don't replace 940 with a V70

LincsChris

1 posts

163 months

Monday 30th August 2010
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I've just managed to fit the nearside (left) dipped light on my 2006 V70. It is possible, but is a bit of a pain & I got this hint from another forum. You don't need to remove the bumper which is the Volvo preferred method to then enable you to remove the light cluster. If you remove the air filter box (it's in three sections) there is enough room to just about get access to change the bulb. The top section just pulls off. The second section requires a T20 screwdriver to remove it. To remove the bottom section there are three four pronged clips which need to be compressed to allow the box to be pulled free. As 5 fingers & a thumb can't quite do it a 10mm or 3/8" socket on the end of a socket extension bar and a bit of wiggling ought to do the job. This will then give you enough room behind the light cluster to get at the back of the bulb without loosing too much skin of the back of your hands. Nicking the wife's vanity mirror when she's not looking helps too, but don't let her catch you getting it mucky!

All told it took me about an hour and a half which I think is better than the £45 + VAT Volvo quoted me.

mondayo

1,825 posts

262 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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I got the dreaded dipped headlight failure message recently. Rang Harratts Sheffield and it was all sorted the next day. I had to pay for the bulb obviously, but it was fitted in about 10 mins and with no labour costs.

On a related note, shouldn't a bulb last longer than 3 years in a new car?

nigel mansell

2,706 posts

213 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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mondayo said:
I got the dreaded dipped headlight failure message recently. Rang Harratts Sheffield and it was all sorted the next day. I had to pay for the bulb obviously, but it was fitted in about 10 mins and with no labour costs.

On a related note, shouldn't a bulb last longer than 3 years in a new car?
bulb replacement depends on model year and which side.

if a bulb was on for 3 years then that's impressive !

again depends on hours the car is used per year and if it has day running lights or not.


The Riddler

6,565 posts

196 months

Thursday 9th September 2010
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TedMaul said:
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!!
Harratts have always being good like that to be honest! smile

TedMaul

Original Poster:

2,092 posts

212 months

Friday 10th September 2010
quotequote all
The Riddler said:
TedMaul said:
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!!
Harratts have always being good like that to be honest! smile
They are very good I have to say, not cheap, but very good.

I kerbed car the other day. Noticed steering wheel is not centering (i.e when driving car in straight line, steering wheel is not dead ahead) so wondering if I have killed the tracking....

Nick Marsh1

1 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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I have just changed the nearside headlamp on my 2005 V70. It took 20 mins thanks to the help of other posts.
Moving the air filter housing is a good option. Mine is held in position with three bush mounts which can be seen with the filter removed and top cover to one side. A careful pull upwards around each mount and the filter housing frees off the mounts and moves enough to access the headlamp. Mirror and torch useful to view bulb retaining clip.
Be sure housing clips firmly back on mounts afterwards and all hoses are attached properly.

martinrpeachey

749 posts

144 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Anybody had the bumper off their V70? takes about 10 minutes.

Then you can change all the bulbs and put it back together. It's a one-man job too.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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FFS, you don't need to take anything apart. It's just tight and a right royal pain in the arse.

Halfords often say can't do, in case their lads scratch their fingers and sue them.

I'm on a 2008 V70 now. Pull out two rods, pull the whole headlight out, unplug the lead, stick it on the kitchen table and swap the bulb.

Deep joy...smile

Elderly

3,486 posts

237 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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mybrainhurts said:
FFS, you don't need to take anything apart. It's just tight and a right royal pain in the arse. ....



I'm on a 2008 V70 now. Pull out two rods, pull the whole headlight out, unplug the lead, stick it on the kitchen table and swap the bulb.

Deep joy...smile
Getting the headlight to the kitchen table is the simple bit but getting the bulbs out and back in is not so easy.

When my first bulb failed I rejoiced at how easy it was to remove the whole unit but feared I'd break something as the bulb itself seemed so reluctant to come out.
So I took the unit down to a very competent indy, they struggled too but with the aid of fine, long nosed curved pliers and much cursing, managed it.

When the other side blew I thought I woulld try again, but once again I couldn't get the bulb out;
by coincidence a skilled electrician I knew popped in unexpectedly and lent a hand, he also expressed dismay at the design.

Some time later I was in a very well respected Volvo dealership in the West Country and I asked them what I was doing wrong ................. the answer came back "The're a PITA".

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Saturday 15th November 2014
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That's what I found, until I sussed where to push the bulb. Just pops out in one second.