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What should happen when?

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Old Jul 20th, 2018, 08:53   #1
Stevied1960
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Default What should happen when?

Relatively new to the XC90.
What should happen when I start the car, regarding the headlights? Apart from the obvious of illuminating.
Actually, last night was the first time I drove in the dark.
My headlight aim is unbelievably high, basically illuminated the tree tops.
I have bi-xenon headlights, not the active type.
No-one has ever flashed me for blinding them, probably because they shine over the top of the cars lol.
It's an 07 plate V8, just had to add the two last digits
Should the headlight unit be self leveling please?
I have found two beam alingment templates in my user manual which I intend to use to align them using the white hex bolt on top of what looks like a motor.
How do I test to see if they actually level if they are self leveling please?
And what do I look for if they are not working ie, fuses etc

Thanks in advance Steve.
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Old Jul 20th, 2018, 09:50   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevied1960 View Post
Relatively new to the XC90.
What should happen when I start the car, regarding the headlights? Apart from the obvious of illuminating.
Actually, last night was the first time I drove in the dark.
My headlight aim is unbelievably high, basically illuminated the tree tops.
I have bi-xenon headlights, not the active type.
No-one has ever flashed me for blinding them, probably because they shine over the top of the cars lol.
It's an 07 plate V8, just had to add the two last digits
Should the headlight unit be self leveling please?
I have found two beam alingment templates in my user manual which I intend to use to align them using the white hex bolt on top of what looks like a motor.
How do I test to see if they actually level if they are self leveling please?
And what do I look for if they are not working ie, fuses etc

Thanks in advance Steve.
yes they must be self levelling by law , are both lights acting the same ? may be the level sensor on the suspension if so .
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Old Jul 20th, 2018, 10:46   #3
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Yes, both are pointing skyward.
Should they move on start up of the engine please?
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Old Jul 20th, 2018, 12:32   #4
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Yes, both are pointing skyward.
Should they move on start up of the engine please?
yes they should go up high then down to correct level at every start up ,. find the little lever on lower suspension arm , disconnect the link and move it , see if the lights match the movement .
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Old Jul 20th, 2018, 20:37   #5
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If the sensor has failed then they should default to the lowest setting and point at the floor.
The sensor is located on the rear passenger side and it’s easy to locate. It’s best to go in from under the rear door to initial locate it. From memory the arm just clips on.
When you put the full beam on can you see them rise at ass they should go up (it’s easier to notice when you actually dip them as there is a slight delay

I have the non projector bi xenon lights.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2018, 14:09   #6
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Default SUM calibration

I have the non-bending bi-xenon headlights on our XC90. The rear levelling sensor on ours had failed. Owen is correct. It is riveted to the R/N/S lower control arm. Our headlights were slamming into the ground 3ft infront of the car. Easy job to replace it. £120 from the stealer.

You need to book it in to Volvo to perform a SUM calibration. The car is levelled, and the headlights calibrated so they can sweep up and down through the full range of movement. You can test this if you have a copy of Vida, if not drive over some speed bumps at night and you should see the light 'bounce' as the levelling motors do their thing.
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Old Jul 24th, 2018, 11:21   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dstc View Post
You need to book it in to Volvo to perform a SUM calibration. The car is levelled, and the headlights calibrated so they can sweep up and down through the full range of movement. You can test this if you have a copy of Vida, if not drive over some speed bumps at night and you should see the light 'bounce' as the levelling motors do their thing.
The XC90 does NOT have SUM suspension and thus you cannot do a SUM calibration. SUM = Suspension Control Module. Does not exist on the XC90.

You can calibrate the level sensor, but that is NOT a SUM calibration.
Don't confuse the readers with wrong acronyms from other Volvo models that are simply not applicable to the XC90
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Old Jul 24th, 2018, 12:07   #8
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I may be wrong here but I thought the reflector based Xenon lamps on the XC90 were not self leveling - I have it in my mind that the requirement for HID/LED lamps to be self-leveling came in around 2007/2008 and hence most manufacturers went to projector based units as it's easier to quickly move a 2" projector than a 5" reflector ?

As said it's just a hunch and I would defer to the more experienced members contributing to this thread.....

To the OP - the XC90 headlamps are prone to clouding of the front lenses and the reflectors going slightly opaque which can cause beam bleed - but the main beam pattern may be okay.

Also check if they are factory Xenons or a retrofit kit - is the internal surround black or silver?

EDIT: Just seen your profile pic - you have factory Xenons.

EDIT 2: I can't make out of they are reflector or projector based, if they are projector (has a glass golf ball) then my comments aren't relevant.
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Last edited by Tannaton; Jul 24th, 2018 at 12:11.
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Old Jul 24th, 2018, 12:54   #9
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Hi all.
The units are reflector based as they are not like golf balls.
They are manufacturer fitted.
They shine skywards all the time, the main beam does go up and down when I pull on the stick to flash people.
Booked into garage on Thursday.
Could it be the bulb as the beam pattern is not very good, sheds rays of light like a spiders web.
Thanks for all your help.
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Old Jul 24th, 2018, 19:34   #10
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It is really easy to check the lamp is in its correct position as the light are very easy to change. You pull up the 2 metal tabs slide the whole light forwards and then unplug it and remove from the car and change or check the lamps in a place of your convenience.
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