Light problems/Xenon/now wipers >> HELP!!

crs40 · Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:05

Hello there,

I´m new to the forum and I need your help. My brother´s girlfriend has a 2006 S40 and haves a BIG problem. As noted by other owners, the low beams are very weak and almost useless at night.

We got a H7 Xenon kit for the low beams hoping to get better lighting but it never worked and the problems started.

When the lights are turned on they only stay on for 20 seconds and then shut off. We later found out the the alternator wasn´t working correctly and would not generate a constant voltage. We installed the normal lights and took it to get the alternator repaired.

With the alternator repaired and working perfectly, we installed the xenon kit again. The same thing happened: Lights would stay on for only 20secs and then shut off. If we try one more time they flicker and then shut off.

Now the worst part: All of a sudden, while trying on to see what was going on, the windshield wipers started working in the fastest setting!! We ran to the inside of the car to shut them off but they were in the off position. We disconnected the battery and then reconnected it. Now, the wipers don´t even work. We checked the fuses but they are all ok.

Obviously we decided to ditch the idea of the xenon kit. But now we have the problem of the wipers not working.

What can be done?
What should we check?
Is this car so intolerable to the Xenon light kit?

Please help!

Albert

gdphillips · Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:21

check the wiring in the car....it may be split and arking out or cut.....bulk head end trace your steps when you fitted it ..you may have trapped a wire.....ie head light wipers light wires.if it was ok befor then check any joins etc.......

gdphillips · Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:22

oh hello and welcome .........hope i can help

Jaff87 · Dec 22nd, 2010, 20:16

the HID kit needs binned and the wiper motor needs replaced, they apprently earth through the same place and when the hid ballasts go wonky they short out a chip on the wiper motor.

If you still want HIDs get some good quality digital hid ballasts with bulb out warning cancellors built in.

apparently the lighting power system in these cars pulses in normal operation, on a normal bulb it has no effect, but on a ballast which amplifies 12v to 25000v but at a low wattage (35w, a bulb draws 55w) it cause problems, the bulb out warnings are a combination of capacitors and resisters which make the ballast draw 55w but seem to smooth out the pulse and stabalise the ballasts.

Guru · Dec 22nd, 2010, 20:19

Hi crs40, this issue has been discussed many times on this forum.

Please see This thread here for details then come here to find out why it all happened

Good luck in finding the correct chip for the wiper motor.

ging6996 · Dec 24th, 2010, 11:55

Hi mate I'm having the same trouble with my HID's. The standard lights are near enough useless. But mine turned off after 10secs. I tried a relay harness the lights worked fine until I started the car then they turned off. So I tried the canbus cancellers. They stayed on bit the relay harness sounded like it was going to explode. So then I brought a new kit with built in canbus and digital ballasts. They stay on when engine has started but then flicker again.

Going to take it to a garage as the car is anoyin me.

I no this don't realy help but don't go buyin loads off stuff off eBay as it didn't work on mine.
Graham

crs40 · Dec 27th, 2010, 05:08

Hi guys,

Thank you so much for your responses. Guru, yours helped us out a lot. I wanted to reply sooner but I hadn't used the computer since wednesday.

We finally got the lights to work. We grounded them separately and also bought cancellors for them. I do not remember if the ballasts were digital or not. We got them working on thursday and they have been working fine.

We took apart the wiper motor and haven't had good look fixing it. Visually we could not tell if there were any blown chips and we did not had the time to take the circuit boards to get them tested. Now every shop is closed until January 3rd so we will have to wait. thankfully summer just started here so there are virtually no rains, plus we rainx-ed the windshield just in case.

Happy holidays to all of you and thanks!!

Albert

Guru · Dec 27th, 2010, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by crs40

We finally got the lights to work. We grounded them separately

Glad to know you at least got the lights sorted out.

Could you please tell us where you grounded them as there has been a debate on the most suitable alternative location, thanks.

command · Feb 23rd, 2011, 14:52

you car origianl is Halogen ,so when you fit aftermarket xenon hid kit, this volvo car computer (CPU) Will warning.

I suggest you do not choose aftermarket HID kit retrofit, you can change to high bright H7 halogen bulb. Can improve your light output.

PS.Volvo S40 oem xenon part like this.

http://www.oemxenonpart.com/Volvo-S4...1S-Ballast.htm

tayandre · Feb 23rd, 2011, 19:02

The website is worth a look for the bad english alone - it most funny amusing historical of situation incredible! I'd be very wary doing any business with them.

"And wish these car owners already solved the problem after get our parts can join in and help us do advertisement of this website. To let more and more car owners can have chance to get best price and performance ratio from here and solve their problems."

Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:05	#1
crs40 New Member Last Online: Dec 27th, 2010 05:18 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Jose	Light problems/Xenon/now wipers >> HELP!! Hello there, I´m new to the forum and I need your help. My brother´s girlfriend has a 2006 S40 and haves a BIG problem. As noted by other owners, the low beams are very weak and almost useless at night. We got a H7 Xenon kit for the low beams hoping to get better lighting but it never worked and the problems started. When the lights are turned on they only stay on for 20 seconds and then shut off. We later found out the the alternator wasn´t working correctly and would not generate a constant voltage. We installed the normal lights and took it to get the alternator repaired. With the alternator repaired and working perfectly, we installed the xenon kit again. The same thing happened: Lights would stay on for only 20secs and then shut off. If we try one more time they flicker and then shut off. Now the worst part: All of a sudden, while trying on to see what was going on, the windshield wipers started working in the fastest setting!! We ran to the inside of the car to shut them off but they were in the off position. We disconnected the battery and then reconnected it. Now, the wipers don´t even work. We checked the fuses but they are all ok. Obviously we decided to ditch the idea of the xenon kit. But now we have the problem of the wipers not working. What can be done? What should we check? Is this car so intolerable to the Xenon light kit? Please help! Albert

Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:21	#2
gdphillips ba baracus... Last Online: May 30th, 2023 12:30 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: chichester west sussex	check the wiring in the car....it may be split and arking out or cut.....bulk head end trace your steps when you fitted it ..you may have trapped a wire.....ie head light wipers light wires.if it was ok befor then check any joins etc....... __________________ i aint getting on no plane............. Last edited by gdphillips; Dec 22nd, 2010 at 19:27.

Dec 22nd, 2010, 19:22	#3
gdphillips ba baracus... Last Online: May 30th, 2023 12:30 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: chichester west sussex	oh hello and welcome .........hope i can help __________________ i aint getting on no plane.............

Dec 22nd, 2010, 20:19	#5
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Hi crs40, this issue has been discussed many times on this forum. Please see This thread here for details then come here to find out why it all happened Good luck in finding the correct chip for the wiper motor. __________________ Volvo S40 2.0D momentum \| 100kw/136bph \| 2005 \| Euro III \| 49mpg \| Electric silver

Dec 22nd, 2010, 20:16	#4
Jaff87 it goes like ooft! Last Online: Mar 22nd, 2023 18:29 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wishaw	the HID kit needs binned and the wiper motor needs replaced, they apprently earth through the same place and when the hid ballasts go wonky they short out a chip on the wiper motor. If you still want HIDs get some good quality digital hid ballasts with bulb out warning cancellors built in. apparently the lighting power system in these cars pulses in normal operation, on a normal bulb it has no effect, but on a ballast which amplifies 12v to 25000v but at a low wattage (35w, a bulb draws 55w) it cause problems, the bulb out warnings are a combination of capacitors and resisters which make the ballast draw 55w but seem to smooth out the pulse and stabalise the ballasts.

Dec 24th, 2010, 11:55	#6
ging6996 Member Last Online: Feb 19th, 2013 10:05 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Derbyshire	Hi mate I'm having the same trouble with my HID's. The standard lights are near enough useless. But mine turned off after 10secs. I tried a relay harness the lights worked fine until I started the car then they turned off. So I tried the canbus cancellers. They stayed on bit the relay harness sounded like it was going to explode. So then I brought a new kit with built in canbus and digital ballasts. They stay on when engine has started but then flicker again. Going to take it to a garage as the car is anoyin me. I no this don't realy help but don't go buyin loads off stuff off eBay as it didn't work on mine. Graham

Dec 27th, 2010, 05:08	#7
crs40 New Member Last Online: Dec 27th, 2010 05:18 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Jose	Hi guys, Thank you so much for your responses. Guru, yours helped us out a lot. I wanted to reply sooner but I hadn't used the computer since wednesday. We finally got the lights to work. We grounded them separately and also bought cancellors for them. I do not remember if the ballasts were digital or not. We got them working on thursday and they have been working fine. We took apart the wiper motor and haven't had good look fixing it. Visually we could not tell if there were any blown chips and we did not had the time to take the circuit boards to get them tested. Now every shop is closed until January 3rd so we will have to wait. thankfully summer just started here so there are virtually no rains, plus we rainx-ed the windshield just in case. Happy holidays to all of you and thanks!! Albert

Feb 23rd, 2011, 14:52	#9
command New Member Last Online: Jul 9th, 2011 13:27 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NY	you car origianl is Halogen ,so when you fit aftermarket xenon hid kit, this volvo car computer (CPU) Will warning. I suggest you do not choose aftermarket HID kit retrofit, you can change to high bright H7 halogen bulb. Can improve your light output. PS.Volvo S40 oem xenon part like this. http://www.oemxenonpart.com/Volvo-S4...1S-Ballast.htm

Feb 23rd, 2011, 19:02	#10
tayandre Senior Member Last Online: Jun 25th, 2013 21:37 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kilmarnock	The website is worth a look for the bad english alone - it most funny amusing historical of situation incredible! I'd be very wary doing any business with them. "And wish these car owners already solved the problem after get our parts can join in and help us do advertisement of this website. To let more and more car owners can have chance to get best price and performance ratio from here and solve their problems."

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