2013 Volvo S60 LED Headlight Conversion Help

[seamusmcginley]

Hi all,

I’ve got a 2013 Volvo S60 2.0 Diesel D4 R-Design 163bhp (pre 2014 facelift version)

I want to replace my halogen headlights with LED headlights and I want to get a advice of anyone that’s done this before.

I’m worried about warning lights on the dash with regards to the Canbus wiring, how can I avoid this and what LEDs fit okay without needing additional brackets/wiring etc.

I’ve seen 55W canbus kits on Amazon at good prices but not sure if compatible.

Thanks in advance

[bomberfr0g]

I have been down this dark road, my advice to you is don't bother. you will waste money and effort. I read many articles and thought I would try for myself, after all what do the internet people know
I tried several makes of LED bulb, including the eyewateringly expensive philips bulbs, each time thinking the next one will be better......
They look lovely and white, sadly they do not light up the road so you can actually see properly. they just don't have the length of beam and have dark spots.
The best halogens you will get are the philips/osram uprated bulbs(I prefer Philips RacingVision GT200 Car Headlight Bulbs H7 (Twin) *NEW 2020* 12972RGT200)
there is no substitute for the volvo ABL HID's with decent bulbs(made sure to get a car with these last time!)
LED retrofit are also not road legal and as a result may fail an annual test at best at worst if you are involved in an accident and the other party says they were dazzled, your insurance may be invalid.

[jasmith44]

I too have tried different ones and as said there is NO beam,it only lights up maybe 5-6 yards of road and not very well at that.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by bomberfr0g

I have been down this dark road, my advice to you is don't bother. you will waste money and effort. I read many articles and thought I would try for myself, after all what do the internet people know
I tried several makes of LED bulb, including the eyewateringly expensive philips bulbs, each time thinking the next one will be better......
They look lovely and white, sadly they do not light up the road so you can actually see properly. they just don't have the length of beam and have dark spots.
The best halogens you will get are the philips/osram uprated bulbs(I prefer Philips RacingVision GT200 Car Headlight Bulbs H7 (Twin) *NEW 2020* 12972RGT200)
there is no substitute for the volvo ABL HID's with decent bulbs(made sure to get a car with these last time!)
LED retrofit are also not road legal and as a result may fail an annual test at best at worst if you are involved in an accident and the other party says they were dazzled, your insurance may be invalid.

100% agree with you been there done that . They have been illegal since earlier in the year and will fail MOT as well and give random beam patterns .

[Tannaton]

Best option for brighter lights is higher output Halogen lamps - such as Osram Nightbreaker.

Try this site : www.powerbulbs.com

[seamusmcginley]

So afterall, I decided to try a set of LEDs from Amazon anyway and return if no good. Turns out, pretty pleased.

I got a pair of Mini design H7 LEDs which just fit inside the headlight casing and still allows the backplate to screw back on snug. This prevents the bulb and fan unit from falling backwards or coming loose but enough room that it isn’t forced in, perfect really.

With regards to beam pattern, The LED can be adjusted within the H7 fitting adapter by rotating the LED around as they are seperate units, i played around with them against a wall at night and finally got a sharp, straight, even beam pattern that’s also not blinding. The light output is great, probably not as good as the best halogens you can get although for a halogen designed headlight, it’s sufficient, also makes the car look much newer and sportier with the LED look.

The only flaw is that the dipped beam failure message is on my dash, I’ve ordered canbus decoders/resistors from Amazon so I will update if they clear the fault.

All in all, for the difference in look and sufficient light at night, I’m happy.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by seamusmcginley

So afterall, I decided to try a set of LEDs from Amazon anyway and return if no good. Turns out, pretty pleased.

I got a pair of Mini design H7 LEDs which just fit inside the headlight casing and still allows the backplate to screw back on snug. This prevents the bulb and fan unit from falling backwards or coming loose but enough room that it isn’t forced in, perfect really.

With regards to beam pattern, The LED can be adjusted within the H7 fitting adapter by rotating the LED around as they are seperate units, i played around with them against a wall at night and finally got a sharp, straight, even beam pattern that’s also not blinding. The light output is great, probably not as good as the best halogens you can get although for a halogen designed headlight, it’s sufficient, also makes the car look much newer and sportier with the LED look.

The only flaw is that the dipped beam failure message is on my dash, I’ve ordered canbus decoders/resistors from Amazon so I will update if they clear the fault.

All in all, for the difference in look and sufficient light at night, I’m happy.

you do realise these LED bulbs are illegal for use in UK ? Checking for them is now part of the MOT test ....

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by seamusmcginley

So afterall, I decided to try a set of LEDs from Amazon anyway and return if no good. Turns out, pretty pleased.

I got a pair of Mini design H7 LEDs which just fit inside the headlight casing and still allows the backplate to screw back on snug. This prevents the bulb and fan unit from falling backwards or coming loose but enough room that it isn’t forced in, perfect really.

With regards to beam pattern, The LED can be adjusted within the H7 fitting adapter by rotating the LED around as they are seperate units, i played around with them against a wall at night and finally got a sharp, straight, even beam pattern that’s also not blinding. The light output is great, probably not as good as the best halogens you can get although for a halogen designed headlight, it’s sufficient, also makes the car look much newer and sportier with the LED look.

The only flaw is that the dipped beam failure message is on my dash, I’ve ordered canbus decoders/resistors from Amazon so I will update if they clear the fault.

All in all, for the difference in look and sufficient light at night, I’m happy.

Your halogens were 55W so and have a high resistance. The LED will be a fraction of that and will register as a blown bulb. An appropriate resistor will resolve that.

How many watts are the led as it should be quite easy to size a resister.

[seamusmcginley]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

Your halogens were 55W so and have a high resistance. The LED will be a fraction of that and will register as a blown bulb. An appropriate resistor will resolve that.

How many watts are the led as it should be quite easy to size a resister.

The LEDs say Power: 55W/pair 2.0amp so what would the resistance be?

These were the ones I bought NOVSIGHT H7 LED Headlight Bulbs... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RX34N...p_mob_ap_share

[seamusmcginley]

Originally Posted by Clan

you do realise these LED bulbs are illegal for use in UK ? Checking for them is now part of the MOT test ....

I’m actually in the Republic of Ireland, also would not pass the NCT, my next test is the end of 2023 so I’ll just swap them for halogen before that.