Warning light bulbs

Angie · Apr 21st, 2015, 14:35

I can't seem to find any instructions about how to replace warning light bulbs. The drivers handbook merely suggests that it's a job for Volvo dealers as beyond the scope of diy, but surely it can't be that difficult. The Lambda light has been on, except for the odd few hundred miles, for over four years (!) and has now given up the ghost. The bulb-failure light has never worked in the time I've had the car. Also it would be good to replace the little button which resets the odometer as that hasn't worked in all that time either, it just wobbles about if pressed, and achieves nothing.

Is it really a garage job? Any advice, instructions, pictures would be welcome.

BrianH · Apr 21st, 2015, 17:14

You can get to them by removing the trim panel under the steering wheel and putting your hand behind the dash.

The lights out bulb might be missing as this is very annoying.

I haven't got a lamda bulb, but this might be missing too.

The trip has sheared and you need to replace it by looking on the internet. Got mine from Australia. Its just a plastic square piece that pushes in, bit like a peg. I am not shore where the broken piece goes though. I took my dash out, just four screws and sorted. Took me 2 years though. It works now but I don't use it in-case it fails again.

BrianH 567,000 miles since 1989. 245 GL

stephend · Apr 21st, 2015, 22:00

If it's anything like the 740, you could also remove the instrument cluster from the fascia. On the 740, it's just a matter of removing a couple screws (hidden behind some trim) and then pulling the whole thing out. You may want to disconnect the wiring plugs for easier access (strictly, you ought to disconnect the battery first).

Tramp · Apr 22nd, 2015, 00:35

The clocks are simple to remove, it's only held in by x4 bolts,

I can't remember for sure but I think once you pull the clocks out, the bulbs and holder are a simple twist and pull to remove

This was one of the photos I took when replacing the voltage regulator, trust me it's all straight forward and it shouldn't have to be disassembled this much! I can remember the hardest bit was trying to get the speedo cable back in!

*Edit*

They are just twist and remove,

Angie · Apr 22nd, 2015, 22:59

The next question is, how do you remove the Perspex that covers the dials?

Why, BrianH, is the light-out bulb a nuisance? Theoretically it should be a useful warning.

Sorry for the supplementaries, nothing is as simple as it ought to be!

Thanks for all the replies.

Tramp · Apr 23rd, 2015, 08:03

You shouldn't need to remove the glass, on the back of the clocks are the plastic black caps, if you access the back of the clocks, you should see them,

(The warning lights are the x8 at the bottom)

you will twist them 90 degrees and the cap can then be pulled out, the bulb will be nestled inside the cap,

This video on YouTube shows how to remove the clocks,

http://youtu.be/6j1__NVM5fk

But really, all you should need to do is remove the x4 screws holding the clocks in place, slide the clocks out and towards the steering wheel, then you should be able to slip your hand In the gap and find the caps by feel, but if your struggling it may be best to just remove the electrical connectors (& speedo cable - depending on the year) and take the clocks out

BrianH · Apr 23rd, 2015, 19:06

Well, it flicks in................ and out, I think because there is an earth issue. Try as I might I cannot find it.

This seems to be the right hand rear stop light, although it still works as far as I can assess. Try as I might.

As I drive it goes out!11 I give up.

BrianH 570,000

Stephen Edwin · Apr 23rd, 2015, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianH

Well, it flicks in................ and out, I think because there is an earth issue. Try as I might I cannot find it.

This seems to be the right hand rear stop light, although it still works as far as I can assess. Try as I might.

As I drive it goes out!11 I give up.

BrianH 570,000

Is there an in-balance between left and right? Have you tried replacing both those bulbs, left and right stop/tail bulbs, with new bulbs both of the same make? And cleaning up both earth connectio9ns? &c.

Good luck.

Tramp · Apr 23rd, 2015, 20:43

I had an issue with my warning light, it was on all the time, but all the bulbs were ok, then as I used my indicators it would intermittently go on and off, and some journeys it wouldn't illuminate at all! Then one of sidelights failed on the front, I replaced it and it was fixed! I can only imagine the lamp was on its way out and drawing a different current to the good side, even though it was working....

Although I'm sure an earth fault would cause the lamp to illuminate!

Apr 21st, 2015, 14:35	#1
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Jun 3rd, 2024 23:00 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	Warning light bulbs I can't seem to find any instructions about how to replace warning light bulbs. The drivers handbook merely suggests that it's a job for Volvo dealers as beyond the scope of diy, but surely it can't be that difficult. The Lambda light has been on, except for the odd few hundred miles, for over four years (!) and has now given up the ghost. The bulb-failure light has never worked in the time I've had the car. Also it would be good to replace the little button which resets the odometer as that hasn't worked in all that time either, it just wobbles about if pressed, and achieves nothing. Is it really a garage job? Any advice, instructions, pictures would be welcome.

Apr 21st, 2015, 17:14	#2
BrianH VOC Member Last Online: May 3rd, 2024 12:56 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bournemouth	Dash bulbs You can get to them by removing the trim panel under the steering wheel and putting your hand behind the dash. The lights out bulb might be missing as this is very annoying. I haven't got a lamda bulb, but this might be missing too. The trip has sheared and you need to replace it by looking on the internet. Got mine from Australia. Its just a plastic square piece that pushes in, bit like a peg. I am not shore where the broken piece goes though. I took my dash out, just four screws and sorted. Took me 2 years though. It works now but I don't use it in-case it fails again. BrianH 567,000 miles since 1989. 245 GL

Apr 21st, 2015, 22:00	#3
stephend Premier Member Last Online: May 27th, 2024 22:10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S. Wales View Photos By: stephend	If it's anything like the 740, you could also remove the instrument cluster from the fascia. On the 740, it's just a matter of removing a couple screws (hidden behind some trim) and then pulling the whole thing out. You may want to disconnect the wiring plugs for easier access (strictly, you ought to disconnect the battery first). __________________ 1989 740 GL 2.0 estate 2000 V40 2.0 (gone) 2005 Toyota Avensis 2.0 estate (gone) 2012 Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi estate 1999 Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5

Apr 22nd, 2015, 00:35	#4
Tramp Member Last Online: Nov 13th, 2018 09:45 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Rotherham	The clocks are simple to remove, it's only held in by x4 bolts, I can't remember for sure but I think once you pull the clocks out, the bulbs and holder are a simple twist and pull to remove This was one of the photos I took when replacing the voltage regulator, trust me it's all straight forward and it shouldn't have to be disassembled this much! I can remember the hardest bit was trying to get the speedo cable back in! Edit They are just twist and remove, Last edited by Tramp; Apr 22nd, 2015 at 00:38.

Apr 23rd, 2015, 19:06	#7
BrianH VOC Member Last Online: May 3rd, 2024 12:56 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bournemouth	Lights out Bulb Well, it flicks in................ and out, I think because there is an earth issue. Try as I might I cannot find it. This seems to be the right hand rear stop light, although it still works as far as I can assess. Try as I might. As I drive it goes out!11 I give up. BrianH 570,000

Apr 22nd, 2015, 22:59	#5
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Jun 3rd, 2024 23:00 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	The next question is, how do you remove the Perspex that covers the dials? Why, BrianH, is the light-out bulb a nuisance? Theoretically it should be a useful warning. Sorry for the supplementaries, nothing is as simple as it ought to be! Thanks for all the replies.

Apr 23rd, 2015, 08:03	#6
Tramp Member Last Online: Nov 13th, 2018 09:45 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Rotherham	You shouldn't need to remove the glass, on the back of the clocks are the plastic black caps, if you access the back of the clocks, you should see them, (The warning lights are the x8 at the bottom) you will twist them 90 degrees and the cap can then be pulled out, the bulb will be nestled inside the cap, This video on YouTube shows how to remove the clocks, http://youtu.be/6j1__NVM5fk But really, all you should need to do is remove the x4 screws holding the clocks in place, slide the clocks out and towards the steering wheel, then you should be able to slip your hand In the gap and find the caps by feel, but if your struggling it may be best to just remove the electrical connectors (& speedo cable - depending on the year) and take the clocks out

Apr 23rd, 2015, 20:43	#9
Tramp Member Last Online: Nov 13th, 2018 09:45 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Rotherham	I had an issue with my warning light, it was on all the time, but all the bulbs were ok, then as I used my indicators it would intermittently go on and off, and some journeys it wouldn't illuminate at all! Then one of sidelights failed on the front, I replaced it and it was fixed! I can only imagine the lamp was on its way out and drawing a different current to the good side, even though it was working.... Although I'm sure an earth fault would cause the lamp to illuminate!

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