Headlamp help

[Chason]

Hi everyone.

Ok my 2007 xc90 had the wrong headlamps on I wrote to the previous owner and he confirmed it had a mild front end when it was 2 year old.
I checked with Volvo and they confirmed it should have bi active xenons.
So I bought a pair and everything works great apart from headlamp failure service required still.
Any ideas cause
I’m a bit lost

Thanks

Paul

[Moose Test]

Is it actually fully working though, beyond the headlights coming on? That is to say, is the active bi-xenon switch illuminated and do the lamps actually track with the steering (you should see this quite clearly at night, driving at low speed).

My guess(es) would be that either a) the previous DTC needs to be cleared or b) "something else".

In both cases, assuming that all your connections are good, the quickest route to resolution is a VIDA diagnostic. There are many potential causes of the failure warning, including position sensors and a simple failure of one or more of the actuator motors in the headlamps themselves (assuming they're likely to be secondhand). A VIDA scan would indicate which area(s) to look in.

[Chason]

Well here is the other problem

According to Volvo with reg and chassis number my car was factory fitted with bi xenons. Yet there are no switches in the car and no level adjuster. I did explain this to Volvo and they reckon the bending xenon feature is only fitted to European models

The headlamps are brand new and fully operational
And my code reader doesn’t bring any codes up

So hence why I’m lost

Paul

[Moose Test]

A bit to unpack there. In no particular order:

a) When you say "code reader", is it VIDA + DICE, or another type? Not all 'generic' scanners and readers can return the same level of detail as Volvo's own diagnostic tools.

b) If your car was built with ABL, you wouldn't expect to find a level adjuster - it's fully automatic in those vehicles.

c) I'm not sure what your garage means by "European" exactly but certainly for RHD vehicles exported to the UK by Volvo for first sale, ABL was available as an option. Depending on model and trim, it was either included or available but there are also many vehicles without it, typically more base models. I've no idea what was made available in other markets - your car is a UK model?

I think your best bet is to take it into a Volvo dealership. They would be able to tell what software is currently loaded on your vehicle, and hence whether or not ABLs should be in place. It seems entirely possible that someone has gone for a bodged-up economy repair in the past, which has included removing the option switch (to hide the equipment mismatch) and has maybe also unloaded the ABL software package - hence the current CEM/HCL doesn't know what to do with your headlights and doesn't recognise them.

[Chason]

Thanks for you advice
When I went into the Volvo dealer the parts guy checked the car amd said it’s correct there should be no abl switches or level adjusters.
He was referring to bending xenons and the switch to change the bend not on Uk cars as don’t use or need bending xenons in the uk.

This is his words not mine.

Mine is a generic code reader so that why I’m not getting any codes up. Will try and buy the software and cable

Paul

[Moose Test]

My bad I think. In your original post you wrote "bi active xenons". The active xenons are the ABL / Adaptive units I was referring to, ie. bendy. Sounds like you have the standard bi-Xenons, which indeed don't have the control switch on the central console.

If you're willing to pay for it, VIDE + DICE is likely to prove useful.

[Chason]

Yeah sorry all these xenons confuse me

There bi xenons

I’ll pay for it yeah
The other issue is the set I took off standard xenons I could get the dip beam bight enough and the new set I still can’t get the beam high enough I have no idea what’s going on

Both motors are adjusted to highest level

Paul

[Onewheel]

Wat is position of the lightswitch? Vertically or horizontally?

[Chason]

When the lights are properly on vertical the beam is to low when it’s in daytime driving mode there to high

[owenfackrell]

You need Vida to check the headlight level control as when this sensor goes or the signal is wrong then the headlights are set to drop to there lowest setting and whilst you can adjust it up the main beam doesn’t go as well. You also get a message on the dash.