Interior bulbs

[griston64]

Took the cover off to replace the little grain of wheat bulb behind my headlight switch. Got the old bulb out after a while but couldn't get the new one in !! Think I've now broken the bulb holder as a little piece of black plastic came out after I tried to put the bulb back.

Any tips ?

Cheers, Mark

[jpliddy]

hi do you have a photo or two

[kelvinp]

That sounds like it might be one of those all in one assemblies where you can't actually remove the bulb as the legs are welded to the blades. These seem specific to Volvos, whether they're available or cheap I don't know.

I found the same with a couple of mine, but managed to pick up another switch panel where it had a conventional bulb and bulb holder. Odd that the sunroof, rear window and heater controls use different holders again.

I replaced all of mine as most of them had blown, including the one that illuminates the rear ashtray and arm rest cubby hole. Only Volvo could have thought of that?

[Forrest]

Later cars did not use standard capless 1.2w dash bulbs but instead used two different types of bulb with integral plastic caps. The type used in the heated seat swiches is different from the type used in the headlamp switch.

This is, I think, the sort you’ll need for the headlamp switch.

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...arent/1018281/

And this is the other sort

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...-12-w/1008289/

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Forrest

Later cars did not use standard capless 1.2w dash bulbs but instead used two different types of bulb with integral plastic caps. The type used in the heated seat swiches is different from the type used in the headlamp switch.

This is, I think, the sort you’ll need for the headlamp switch.

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...arent/1018281/

And this is the other sort

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...-12-w/1008289/

Spot on Sir

I thought the little spare I had just pushed in after I managed to pull the old one out ! But the bulb which I thought was spare turned out to be a broken one that someone else had pulled out of the heated rear window switch. The bulbs as you say soldered in I found out ( while searching this forum )that you can buy the little grain of wheat bulbs ( with wires on that I pulled off ) and re solder them in. I might try that first as a cheaper option.

Thanks for all replies and apologies for be so stupid

[kelvinp]

Originally Posted by Forrest

Later cars did not use standard capless 1.2w dash bulbs but instead used two different types of bulb with integral plastic caps. The type used in the heated seat swiches is different from the type used in the headlamp switch.

This is, I think, the sort you’ll need for the headlamp switch.

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...arent/1018281/

And this is the other sort

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...-12-w/1008289/

How much per bulb...

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by kelvinp

I replaced all of mine as most of them had blown, including the one that illuminates the rear ashtray and arm rest cubby hole. Only Volvo could have thought of that?

What about the seat belt buckle bulbs?

Got a similar arrangement in my Rover for the rear ashtray/armrest cubby, not as effective as the Volvo one though.

On a more general note, 12V LEDs can be used in place of the grain of wheat bulbs provided they have integral resistors within the encapsulation - yes, they're polarised and using a Dremel type tool to drill the holder where the original wires went for the grain of wheat bulbs that are welded to the bulb holder contacts means you can get the wires through easier. Only needs a 1mm drill or thereabouts then solder the wires onto the contacts sasme as you would with a grain of wheat bulb.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by kelvinp

How much per bulb...

Its because it comes with the holder. Still v expensive. I can get 50 1.2w grain of wheat bulbs on the bay for £4.99. I popped a duff bulb out of the holder and its easy to remove the wire from the contacts and I reckon similar to solder new wires in.

Heated seat lights would be the same procedure

I must have a loose contact on board that the bulb that illuminates the dash screws into behind the temp gauge, as even with a new bulb in it still goes on and off all the time. I'll have to take the whole thing out to look at it properly.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

What about the seat belt buckle bulbs? ....
.... with a grain of wheat bulb.

... and? ... looked at them some years ago and now think I may have dead one. Now forgotten without flipping the top button what it is all about (bearing in mind it's the later 740/5 self-tensioner variety of belt). Any idea what the bulbs are Dave before I have to open it up? Bob.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by bob12

... and? ... looked at them some years ago and now think I may have dead one. Now forgotten without flipping the top button what it is all about (bearing in mind it's the later 740/5 self-tensioner variety of belt). Any idea what the bulbs are Dave before I have to open it up? Bob.

If memory serves Bob they're the 1.2W capless bulbs, T5 is what they're usually listed as on fleabay. The generic number eludes my brain cell for the time being.

Do you mean you have inertia reel belts or that you have pyrotechnic seat belt pre-tensioners (used with an airbag/SRS system) on yours?
I would think that the buckle remains the same and the tongue on the belt will still be 25mm wide, same as all my other 7xxs - last one i did the seat belt buckle lights was my last 745 (as shown in my avatar) and i haven't checked my current 760 as yet.