License plate lights

Marty5678 · Mar 19th, 2019, 21:01

Hi, yesterday bought another S40 Saloon, however, have a couple of issues with the license plate lights.
1. The previous (halogen) bulb has somehow managed to break in pieces, we get some out, but there is something still stuck in there which doesn't allow the bulb to fit in correctly nor shine the way it's meant to. So is there a way to get the housing out and clean it out?
2. On the other one, the plastic bit that actually holds the bulb housing in the spot has broken off and it's kinda wiggly and can potentially fall out, any clues on how to replace that? Although it isn't that bad and still shines the light decently good (could be my LED bulbs though).
3. Is there a way to get a full LED housing so it's brighter and looks way better? Sort of what's possible on newer Volvos as below?

dralphs · Mar 20th, 2019, 20:47

Easiest is to remove the trim from the boot lid and then with aid of torch and mirror you can disconnect the lights and remove them. Once you have them out you can see exactly whats going on and measure up to see if a trailer light or something from another car would work.

Ressurek · Mar 20th, 2019, 21:29

The bulbs are t10 w5w right ? i want to replace them too.

Marty5678 · Mar 20th, 2019, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dralphs

Easiest is to remove the trim from the boot lid and then with aid of torch and mirror you can disconnect the lights and remove them. Once you have them out you can see exactly whats going on and measure up to see if a trailer light or something from another car would work.

If you're talking about the license plate housings - how do you exactly remove the trunk button trim? Because from what I understand you need to remove it before you can take out the light housings.
The second question is - is there any direct fit led light housings that would fit? I'd much more prefer those than anything else really or if not possible, what kind of 501 LED bulbs would be recommended? Do note I have a donor S40 available for experimenting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ressurek

The bulbs are t10 w5w right ? i want to replace them too.

Yes - also known as 501 bulbs. You can just remove the inner trunk trim and replace them that way.

dralphs · Mar 21st, 2019, 16:52

Take a look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...43&postcount=7 for some guidance (yes i know it says v40)

This thread https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=164607 doesn't have photos but once you get the trim panel off you'll see the nuts holding on the surround.

Also look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=260384

Sorry can't be more to the point as i only have a V40 now not a s40

clarkey1984 · Mar 21st, 2019, 17:21

The car in the screen shot, particularly the shape of the rear lights, looks like the post 04 shape new S40 to me, so info may not be correct.

Ressurek · Mar 21st, 2019, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkey1984

The car in the screen shot, particularly the shape of the rear lights, looks like the post 04 shape new S40 to me, so info may not be correct.

The car in the screenshot is a S80 MK2.

clarkey1984 · Mar 22nd, 2019, 16:29

Ahh ok, I misunderstood the question, I'm unsure if s40s differ to v40s, but the V40 takes festoon bulbs, I've got COB led ones in my T4 and they are nice and bright in the original housings, I can't however remember what length they are, I bought ones that were a touch too short but managed to bend the legs in so they are a good fit.

Marty5678 · Mar 23rd, 2019, 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dralphs

Take a look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...43&postcount=7 for some guidance (yes i know it says v40)

This thread https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=164607 doesn't have photos but once you get the trim panel off you'll see the nuts holding on the surround.

Also look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=260384

Sorry can't be more to the point as i only have a V40 now not a s40

Cheers for that, I'm sure those will be helpful to get the trim off along with Haynes manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkey1984

Ahh ok, I misunderstood the question, I'm unsure if s40s differ to v40s, but the V40 takes festoon bulbs, I've got COB led ones in my T4 and they are nice and bright in the original housings, I can't however remember what length they are, I bought ones that were a touch too short but managed to bend the legs in so they are a good fit.

Unfortunately, S40 takes 501 bulbs instead of festoon. Would have much more preferred festoon bulbs, but it is what it is. Hence why I'm looking if its possible to get a whole housing LED as the 501 aren't really that bright on the license plate.

mathewst · Mar 26th, 2019, 19:37

Regarding 501 bulbs, I replaced mine in the interior with some COB aftermarket leds, and they shine like a sun.
Maybe a bit to bright for my taste so they should work ok if you need more light.

Mar 19th, 2019, 21:01	#1
Marty5678 New Member Last Online: Jul 18th, 2023 16:30 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Dublin	License plate lights Hi, yesterday bought another S40 Saloon, however, have a couple of issues with the license plate lights. 1. The previous (halogen) bulb has somehow managed to break in pieces, we get some out, but there is something still stuck in there which doesn't allow the bulb to fit in correctly nor shine the way it's meant to. So is there a way to get the housing out and clean it out? 2. On the other one, the plastic bit that actually holds the bulb housing in the spot has broken off and it's kinda wiggly and can potentially fall out, any clues on how to replace that? Although it isn't that bad and still shines the light decently good (could be my LED bulbs though). 3. Is there a way to get a full LED housing so it's brighter and looks way better? Sort of what's possible on newer Volvos as below?

Mar 21st, 2019, 17:21	#6
clarkey1984 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2022 09:41 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Beccles	The car in the screen shot, particularly the shape of the rear lights, looks like the post 04 shape new S40 to me, so info may not be correct. __________________ 02 V40 T4 S, "Sargent silver" she's back!

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Mar 20th, 2019, 20:47	#2
dralphs Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 22:11 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oxford View Photos By: dralphs	Easiest is to remove the trim from the boot lid and then with aid of torch and mirror you can disconnect the lights and remove them. Once you have them out you can see exactly whats going on and measure up to see if a trailer light or something from another car would work.

Mar 20th, 2019, 21:29	#3
Ressurek New Member Last Online: Dec 27th, 2019 19:07 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: calais	The bulbs are t10 w5w right ? i want to replace them too.

Mar 21st, 2019, 16:52	#5
dralphs Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 22:11 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oxford View Photos By: dralphs	Take a look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...43&postcount=7 for some guidance (yes i know it says v40) This thread https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=164607 doesn't have photos but once you get the trim panel off you'll see the nuts holding on the surround. Also look at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=260384 Sorry can't be more to the point as i only have a V40 now not a s40

Mar 26th, 2019, 19:37	#10
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	Regarding 501 bulbs, I replaced mine in the interior with some COB aftermarket leds, and they shine like a sun. Maybe a bit to bright for my taste so they should work ok if you need more light.

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