Electrics: - Main beam stuck on

2.4TSE · Feb 13th, 2024, 07:13

Please excuse a lack of research from me. I am on the other side of the planet in a business meeting and my wife has just called to say that the headlights of our 2003 V70 are stuck on main beam and frying oncoming drivers. She is trying to mitigate by rotating the main light switch to parking lights and then back to main beam but this isn't safe practice. At least it will get her to work.

What to do for her long drive home in the dark? Is there a known quick fix?

Thank you!

Simmy · Feb 13th, 2024, 11:49

lower the aim of the headlights by turning the thumb wheel near the light switch this can be observed if parked near a wall or garage door you can see them lower.

MDS40 · Feb 13th, 2024, 13:21

I believe if you turn on the front fog lights it disables the main beams.

2.4TSE · Feb 14th, 2024, 02:19

Thanks Both. Much appreciated. I had suggested the manual aiming idea already but unfortunately it didn't stop oncoming drivers from flashing as the beam is still searing.

The front fogs is a good idea that I will suggest in case it happens again.

When she started the car in the evening she found the problem had gone away, as had I when I had the problem some weeks ago. On leaving the car and going back to it, all headlight features worked correctly - until my wife's experience.

I did some late night reading during the Sri Lankan night and see that it is likely a CEM fault and that there is not the separate electro mechanical relay that I hoped there was.

Comments welcome, but a shame if so.

Thanks once again. 👍

XC70Bob · Feb 14th, 2024, 11:39

If your car is a 2003 V70 then it should have the older type of CEM that had individual relays that you can replace.

So on a 2003 V70

john493 · Feb 14th, 2024, 18:34

Check/change the dip switch stalk.

wynnj · Feb 15th, 2024, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmy

lower the aim of the headlights by turning the thumb wheel near the light switch this can be observed if parked near a wall or garage door you can see them lower.

Not tested but doesn't the thumbwheel only operate on the dipped beam lights; happy to be proved wrong?!

Feb 13th, 2024, 07:13	#1
2.4TSE Master Member Last Online: May 23rd, 2024 20:35 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Stratford-upon-Avon	Main beam stuck on Please excuse a lack of research from me. I am on the other side of the planet in a business meeting and my wife has just called to say that the headlights of our 2003 V70 are stuck on main beam and frying oncoming drivers. She is trying to mitigate by rotating the main light switch to parking lights and then back to main beam but this isn't safe practice. At least it will get her to work. What to do for her long drive home in the dark? Is there a known quick fix? Thank you! __________________ 2003 V70 2.4T SE \| Owned from new \| M56 \| Bilstein B4 \| Nivomats \| BSR PPC \| Ferrita Exhaust \| Poly small bush in lower torque mount 2008 C30 T5 SE Sport R-Design \| Dynaudio \| BLIS \| Winter Pack \| Towbar \| Parking Control \| Keyless \| 18" Atreus

Feb 13th, 2024, 13:21	#3
MDS40 Senior Member Last Online: May 21st, 2024 09:40 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Berkshire	I believe if you turn on the front fog lights it disables the main beams. __________________ 2006 S40 2.4 SE Auto. Ruby Red. 83K Miles Some previous cars include: Jaguar x type: Mazda 6 : Mazda 626: Ford Sierra 2.0: Toyota Celica ST 1600 : Hillman Avenger: Triumph Spitfire: Oh and a Volvo 340 GL 1984 company car from new.

Feb 14th, 2024, 02:19	#4
2.4TSE Master Member Last Online: May 23rd, 2024 20:35 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Stratford-upon-Avon	Thanks Both. Much appreciated. I had suggested the manual aiming idea already but unfortunately it didn't stop oncoming drivers from flashing as the beam is still searing. The front fogs is a good idea that I will suggest in case it happens again. When she started the car in the evening she found the problem had gone away, as had I when I had the problem some weeks ago. On leaving the car and going back to it, all headlight features worked correctly - until my wife's experience. I did some late night reading during the Sri Lankan night and see that it is likely a CEM fault and that there is not the separate electro mechanical relay that I hoped there was. Comments welcome, but a shame if so. Thanks once again. 👍 __________________ 2003 V70 2.4T SE \| Owned from new \| M56 \| Bilstein B4 \| Nivomats \| BSR PPC \| Ferrita Exhaust \| Poly small bush in lower torque mount 2008 C30 T5 SE Sport R-Design \| Dynaudio \| BLIS \| Winter Pack \| Towbar \| Parking Control \| Keyless \| 18" Atreus

Feb 14th, 2024, 18:34	#6
john493 Spannering since birth Last Online: Apr 27th, 2024 21:26 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Oxon	Check/change the dip switch stalk. __________________ V70 D5 eu4 manual M66 2006 > XC90 brake conversion, stage 2 VDASH remap. BMW R1200GS BMW R1100GS (GS Addict)

Feb 13th, 2024, 11:49	#2
Simmy Premier Member Last Online: Today 10:36 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Manchester	lower the aim of the headlights by turning the thumb wheel near the light switch this can be observed if parked near a wall or garage door you can see them lower.

Feb 14th, 2024, 11:39	#5
XC70Bob XC70 SE lux D5 Last Online: May 20th, 2024 09:11 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mansfield, notts	If your car is a 2003 V70 then it should have the older type of CEM that had individual relays that you can replace. So on a 2003 V70

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