V70 Headlamp Bulbs - Dealer fit only?
Discussion
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
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.
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.
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)
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)
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.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)
2 hours to change
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.
All told it took me about an hour and a half which I think is better than the £45 + VAT Volvo quoted me.
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?
On a related note, shouldn't a bulb last longer than 3 years in a new car?
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.On a related note, shouldn't a bulb last longer than 3 years in a new car?
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.
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.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.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....
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
Getting the headlight to the kitchen table is the simple bit but getting the bulbs out and back in is not so easy.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...
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".
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