What I did today thread...

[oragex]

Replacing the rear plate lights wiring (this wiring is common with the trunk opening switch). Went to the junkyard and all cars have these bulbs burnt and corrosion on the sockets. I have been chasing a current leak for two years. Finally after two batteries and some alternators, found the culprit. Note that the battery won't discharge to the point of not cranking, but in the long term it will get damaged by getting partially discharged every night. Better test it with a multimeter in the morning: 12.5V and up - ok, under 12.1V - there is a problem.

[jnmonaghan]

Soooo- was the cause of your battery drain, burnt number plate bulb sockets, which you intend to replace? I have fitted LEDs to avoid this problem in my V70 D5.

Jude

[js7799]

I took advantage of what might be our last day of nice weather for awhile, and replaced the drivers side reluctor ring. Took about 2 hours and wasn't difficult at all. Went for a test drive up to motorway speed for about 20 minutes and the ABS lights never returned.

[oragex]

Originally Posted by jnmonaghan

Soooo- was the cause of your battery drain, burnt number plate bulb sockets, which you intend to replace? I have fitted LEDs to avoid this problem in my V70 D5.

Jude

I went sealing better the replacement lights, waiting for this to dry up before installing today the wiring, will update I think tomorrow see if the battery keeps it's voltage overnight this time. Also preparing a small video with removing this wires, sealing, checking the voltage.

This is the part we are talking about (ouch $$)
Volvo 30634364
https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/326...ndle-30634364/

[petey]

How do number plate lights drain the battery?

[oragex]

Each light housing has two seals, one around where the housing is glued together, and one at the bulb socket. Not sure which one causes water to leak inside the housing, but the bulb socket gets heated up and the plastic tabs that secure the socket break and don't seal properly. When pulling the bulbs from the socket, the electrical connectors inside the socket were corroded (green color) so I believe the short happens inside the sockets.

[oragex]

Still to update this, just found a better price on Tasca, if it's not too expensive to post to Europe, looks like a better deal. The bulbs appear to be the W5W 501 12V 5W type (not very sure about the power)

@jnmonaghan, do you remember which LED size was fitting in there? Could it be a T10 ?

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...andle-30634364

[petey]

But aren’t the bulb holders dead when the ignition is off? There’s no current available to drain?

[sparkeysteve]

Fitted power steering tank and feed pipe, wow no noise from the system at all now
many thanks to PFS Parts for the super quick delivery

[jnmonaghan]

Originally Posted by oragex

Still to update this, just found a better price on Tasca, if it's not too expensive to post to Europe, looks like a better deal. The bulbs appear to be the W5W 501 12V 5W type (not very sure about the power)

@jnmonaghan, do you remember which LED size was fitting in there? Could it be a T10 ?

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...andle-30634364

Yes- T10 car bulbs LEDs. error free