'Ping' and then headlight wobbles.........

Chris Wickers · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:06

Just replaced the small 5w bulb in the headlight of 2003 V40 when something went 'ping'. (Probably pushed too hard!)

'Ping' and in particular on a 480 normally translates to 'snapped plastic', item no longer staying place, all replacements from scrapyards also broken, and nothing available from VCUK......... resulting in phrases such as 'oh dear I did not want to do that', and 'what a pity'

Basically the reflector now wobbles around the headlight and points out of alignment.

The next few days are busy and it would be useful to know whether 'ping' in this case translates to take apart and clip back, or transalates to 'new headlight' - that way hopefully I can get it fixed in one attempt!

Many thanks

Chris

kieran40 · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:08

You can bodge it chris with silicone which I had to do for my mot, but I'm not sure if they are still available on ebay but someone was selling replacement adjusters on there, my silicone bodge has held up so I've left alone.

No new headlamps needed

you've broke the adjusters in the top corner they just go brittle and crumble over time.

Matt86 · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:14

Headlight adjuster inside the lamp broken.

If you pop the headlamp out and remove the glass you can see it in the corner and it unscrews out from the reflector and headlamp casing.

I'd recommended using these as replacements:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-S40-...item33a0bb0ff3

Much stronger than the usual cheapy plastic ones and not too bad price got them in both my lamps.

Chris Wickers · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:15

Come on guys - that was a slow reponse - I hadn't even finished writing an article for the mag before the replies came in!

On a serious note - THANK YOU very much for such quick replies!

Chris

Matt86 · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wickers

Come on guys - that was a slow reponse - I hadn't even finished writing an article for the mag before the replies came in!

On a serious note - THANK YOU very much for such quick replies!

Chris

lol only just got in from work to be fair

dcw · Apr 27th, 2015, 23:21

I'd echo Matt's suggestion of the e-bay sourced replacements... I have used one on one light and have a second in stock for if/as/when the other one breaks. My attempt to bodge/stick the broken one didn't last long.

When you compare it to the broken parts you'll remove you will see it is much more robust.

Just the sort of reassurance you don't need that some of the design quality mentality that went into certain areas of the 480 was still alive and kicking when the 40s were put together, however much better they may be overall

David

Chris Wickers · Apr 28th, 2015, 00:08

The way the info centre connects on to the circuit board at the back on the dash on the 480 has to be seen to be believed.

Thankfully I have never seen such a connection before or after.

It begs the question was the designer working their notice - did he/she deliberately design something to be so unreliable? A simple plug/socket would have been so much easier and simpler!

Chris

PS Thanks for advice on headlight - will take apart tomorrow when I get home.

gatos · Apr 28th, 2015, 00:41

I will also second the ones on ebay that Matt recommended. Bought a few of them and have replaced them on our car and my brother's car. They seem to be a lot more robust and flexible than the overpriced Volvo ones

kieran40 · Apr 28th, 2015, 08:13

If they made them out of metal like the middle one it would have been more viable and longer lasting. Design fault

but my quick silicone get me through the mot bodge has lasted a year so I'm just going to leave mine. I tried wire I tried everything out of panic but it's so brittle they crumble, the silicone is strong but also has elastic property's.

Alex121 · Apr 28th, 2015, 09:13

If you need a guide on a tear down of the headlights then here

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=205212

They're made out of plastic Kieran as it's the bit that is best to brake.

If you over tighten and it were metal you would end up winding till the reflector hit the side of the headlight shell risking more expensive damage, possibly bending the plastic on the ball joints and snapping that instead.

It does seem to be brittle very quickly and I've since replaced both of mine with the stronger ones on eBay.

Apr 27th, 2015, 23:06	#1
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	'Ping' and then headlight wobbles......... Just replaced the small 5w bulb in the headlight of 2003 V40 when something went 'ping'. (Probably pushed too hard!) 'Ping' and in particular on a 480 normally translates to 'snapped plastic', item no longer staying place, all replacements from scrapyards also broken, and nothing available from VCUK......... resulting in phrases such as 'oh dear I did not want to do that', and 'what a pity' Basically the reflector now wobbles around the headlight and points out of alignment. The next few days are busy and it would be useful to know whether 'ping' in this case translates to take apart and clip back, or transalates to 'new headlight' - that way hopefully I can get it fixed in one attempt! Many thanks Chris __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Apr 27th, 2015, 23:14	#3
Matt86 Premier Member Last Online: Aug 1st, 2015 09:34 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Southampton	Headlight adjuster inside the lamp broken. If you pop the headlamp out and remove the glass you can see it in the corner and it unscrews out from the reflector and headlamp casing. I'd recommended using these as replacements: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-S40-...item33a0bb0ff3 Much stronger than the usual cheapy plastic ones and not too bad price got them in both my lamps. __________________ V40 1.9D 2004 Car Photos

Apr 27th, 2015, 23:15	#4
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	Response Come on guys - that was a slow reponse - I hadn't even finished writing an article for the mag before the replies came in! On a serious note - THANK YOU very much for such quick replies! Chris __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Apr 27th, 2015, 23:21	#6
dcw VOC Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: YORK	I'd echo Matt's suggestion of the e-bay sourced replacements... I have used one on one light and have a second in stock for if/as/when the other one breaks. My attempt to bodge/stick the broken one didn't last long. When you compare it to the broken parts you'll remove you will see it is much more robust. Just the sort of reassurance you don't need that some of the design quality mentality that went into certain areas of the 480 was still alive and kicking when the 40s were put together, however much better they may be overall David __________________ VOC 400 Series Register Keeper The current fleet: 1997 440 LE, 1996 460 CD, 1994 480 GT and 2007 V50 SE Sport

Apr 28th, 2015, 00:08	#7
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	480 and V40 Design......... The way the info centre connects on to the circuit board at the back on the dash on the 480 has to be seen to be believed. Thankfully I have never seen such a connection before or after. It begs the question was the designer working their notice - did he/she deliberately design something to be so unreliable? A simple plug/socket would have been so much easier and simpler! Chris PS Thanks for advice on headlight - will take apart tomorrow when I get home. __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Apr 27th, 2015, 23:08	#2
kieran40 I've Been Banned Last Online: Mar 4th, 2023 12:36 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: paignton	You can bodge it chris with silicone which I had to do for my mot, but I'm not sure if they are still available on ebay but someone was selling replacement adjusters on there, my silicone bodge has held up so I've left alone. No new headlamps needed you've broke the adjusters in the top corner they just go brittle and crumble over time.

Apr 28th, 2015, 00:41	#8
gatos Premier Member Last Online: Nov 15th, 2022 21:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London / Essex	I will also second the ones on ebay that Matt recommended. Bought a few of them and have replaced them on our car and my brother's car. They seem to be a lot more robust and flexible than the overpriced Volvo ones __________________ Current car: 2002 S40 1.9D, 1992 240SE Nullius in Verba

Apr 28th, 2015, 08:13	#9
kieran40 I've Been Banned Last Online: Mar 4th, 2023 12:36 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: paignton	If they made them out of metal like the middle one it would have been more viable and longer lasting. Design fault but my quick silicone get me through the mot bodge has lasted a year so I'm just going to leave mine. I tried wire I tried everything out of panic but it's so brittle they crumble, the silicone is strong but also has elastic property's.

Apr 28th, 2015, 09:13	#10
Alex121 Premier Member Last Online: Oct 27th, 2020 10:45 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: -	If you need a guide on a tear down of the headlights then here http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=205212 They're made out of plastic Kieran as it's the bit that is best to brake. If you over tighten and it were metal you would end up winding till the reflector hit the side of the headlight shell risking more expensive damage, possibly bending the plastic on the ball joints and snapping that instead. It does seem to be brittle very quickly and I've since replaced both of mine with the stronger ones on eBay.

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