Weak Headlights - Contact Volvo

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Sasha94

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=220427

From when I did my S40

cool, well done!
I will not be doing the wet sanding though, tbh I am too afraid of it and my lights are less damaged than yours. I will try this kit I bought with compound only and see how it goes, hopefully will be enough :}

[miksu]

I have the OEM hid lights and they are pretty useless as the reflector has got dim.

Has anyone been able to find replacement reflectors?

Has anyone tried fitting generic projector units to replace the originals?

Unless I can find new reflectors I will order some generic unit from china and try swapping it in, probably takes small modifications to get the screw holes right but that should be it?

[dingov70]

HID units seem to suffer from a dust build up on both the lens & reflector surfaces , dismantle the light unit & wash the projector lens & GENTLY wipe the reflector clean . Treat the bulb the same as a halogen bulb and avoid touching the glass . Renault modus are a pime example of dust & junk build up affecting light output

[miksu]

Ended up patching them up with aluminum tape. Only the small area above the bulb was affected and dimmed anyway so the tape is a better than nothing fix as long as it stays there. Will see how it lasts, but I am still tempted to buy a pair of some decent but cheap generic projectors for replacement.

[abw]

I always thought my lights were crap on dipped beam (main OK). Until this MOT Read from bottom to top):

Test date 28 May 2015
Expiry date 16 June 2016
Test Result Pass
Odometer reading 17,272 miles
MOT test number 2791 0824 5424
-------------------------------------------------
Test date 28 May 2015
Test Result Fail
Odometer reading 17,272 miles
MOT test number 9264 2834 5128
Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)
Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

The MOT was organized by my local Volvo dealer and they never mentioned the failure and their rectification. They didn't charge me for it either.
The result was astounding. I can now see! I have no complaints about my lights now.

[phil1968]

We've owned the C70 for about 18 months now & the girlfriend drives it mostly. I did clean the projector lenses as per the excellent article on here
However I drove it for the first time for quite a distance in the dark down some rainy unlit country roads last night & have to report the dipped beam was abysmal Main beam is pretty good however. And this is with the factory optional bi-xenons that cost the original purchaser £850 when the car was bought in 2008. God knows what the standard incandescent-bulbed headlights are like then

[MacV50]

Originally Posted by phil1968

We've owned the C70 for about 18 months now & the girlfriend drives it mostly. I did clean the projector lenses as per the excellent article on here
However I drove it for the first time for quite a distance in the dark down some rainy unlit country roads last night & have to report the dipped beam was abysmal Main beam is pretty good however. And this is with the factory optional bi-xenons that cost the original purchaser £850 when the car was bought in 2008. God knows what the standard incandescent-bulbed headlights are like then

That's really suprising as my V50's bi-xenons are the best headlights I've ever had. I think they might even be better than the XC60's bi-xenons that I now have.

[miksu]

Originally Posted by MacV50

That's really suprising as my V50's bi-xenons are the best headlights I've ever had. I think they might even be better than the XC60's bi-xenons that I now have.

Upon release they might have been the best OEM headlights on the market and still are really good. They do wear and have other problems it seems though.

[Proghound]

I've got the Bi-Xenons, adjusted up to the MOT limit. Like MacV50's experience, they're the best lights I've ever had on a car. While more than OK in most situations, the dipped beams are still only just OK on a dark rainy country road. Those are conditions that will be difficult to light effectively in any car without resorting to main beams.

The OS unit on mine was actually replaced 15 months ago on the other driver's insurance after a minor shunt. But despite my cleaning the NS one as per the excellent article on here, it's still noticeably dimmer than the newer one. I suspect if I still had both the originals, I'd be looking for more ways to make an improvement.

[phil1968]

Can I ask how the Bi-Xenon lights are adjusted, is it a DIY job? They seem to be set extremely low on mine.