Rubbish headlights

Alpine · Mar 14th, 2020, 23:46

I've noticed that the beams coming from my headlights are really poor, and they barely light the road up

Would new bulbs be the solution, or am I likely to need new headlight units?

Am I right to think the spec of the headlights changed later on in the production run?

Would it be an MOT Fail?

Cookeh · Mar 15th, 2020, 00:27

Not an MOT fail unless beam pattern is off or a bulb is out. It is most likely caused by degraded reflectors, and if so bulbs will not help. The reflectors will either need metalizing again or you'll need new headlights. Then you can look into upgraded bulbs like the Osram Night Breakers.

Easy to see if the reflectors are good, just look into the lense and look for degradation or shine a torch at the reflectors and see how much light bounces back

Alpine · Mar 15th, 2020, 07:38

thanks, I thought that was going to be the case.

Can you still buy new headlight units? Assume they are expensive if so, and its a case of looking for some off a scrapped car still in good condition?

DaveNP · Mar 15th, 2020, 07:51

My last MOT had an advisory for a film or coating on then lens not affecting the beam (or words like that), I didn't argue with them but there's nothing on the lens it is the same old problem of the reflector being past it, looking through the lens it's easy to see how the reflector is an oxidised grey/beige colour rather than metallic and shiny. Some time soon I'm going to have to bite the bullet and sort them out, there's a few threads on here about repair/refurbishment/replacement, but the takeaway is that it's not cheap.

Clogs · Mar 15th, 2020, 09:00

Eventually after about 15-20 years the reflective properties of headlamps deteriorate to such an extent that driving in the dark becomes difficult.

The solution is simply to buy a pair of new headlamps (with motors for dipping further). Replacing the reflective material is a possibility (see posts on this) but is a faff.

Brighter bulbs with poor reflective material won't help much. If you plan to keep the car for more than a few years, grasp the nettle and pay for new headlamps... they'll keep you going for another 15-20 years, after which they'll have to be replaced again.

They cost nearly £400 in Jan 2017 from main dealer with discount. I fitted them easily myself.

ITSv40 · Mar 15th, 2020, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine

thanks, I thought that was going to be the case.

Can you still buy new headlight units? Assume they are expensive if so, and its a case of looking for some off a scrapped car still in good condition?

If going second hand. Try to find some good condition Cristals off a 2003 - 2005 C70. They are generally around £150 a pair.

ITSv40 · Mar 15th, 2020, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITSv40

If going second hand. Try to find some good condition Cristals off a 2003 - 2005 C70. They are generally around £150 a pair.

These are what you need.

volvo again · Mar 15th, 2020, 10:40

Readily available from somewhere like PFS parts...

Clogs · Mar 15th, 2020, 14:10

While "good second hand headlights" may be better than the ones you have, they are going to be old as C/S/V70s stopped being made 15-20 years ago. They will only last a few years if original. They would have be replacements from the originals to be better and where would you look for the manufacture date on the headlamp to be sure?

Alpine · Mar 15th, 2020, 19:17

cheers all, I will take on board all the comments

Mar 14th, 2020, 23:46	#1
Alpine Senior Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2024 08:14 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Leeds	Rubbish headlights I've noticed that the beams coming from my headlights are really poor, and they barely light the road up Would new bulbs be the solution, or am I likely to need new headlight units? Am I right to think the spec of the headlights changed later on in the production run? Would it be an MOT Fail? __________________ Phil '98 V70 2.5T (manual '99MY)

Mar 15th, 2020, 00:27	#2
Cookeh Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2022 17:04 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Derbyshire	Not an MOT fail unless beam pattern is off or a bulb is out. It is most likely caused by degraded reflectors, and if so bulbs will not help. The reflectors will either need metalizing again or you'll need new headlights. Then you can look into upgraded bulbs like the Osram Night Breakers. Easy to see if the reflectors are good, just look into the lense and look for degradation or shine a torch at the reflectors and see how much light bounces back __________________ 1995 Volvo 850 T5 Estate (Manual)

Mar 15th, 2020, 07:38	#3
Alpine Senior Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2024 08:14 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Leeds	thanks, I thought that was going to be the case. Can you still buy new headlight units? Assume they are expensive if so, and its a case of looking for some off a scrapped car still in good condition? __________________ Phil '98 V70 2.5T (manual '99MY)

Mar 15th, 2020, 07:51	#4
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	My last MOT had an advisory for a film or coating on then lens not affecting the beam (or words like that), I didn't argue with them but there's nothing on the lens it is the same old problem of the reflector being past it, looking through the lens it's easy to see how the reflector is an oxidised grey/beige colour rather than metallic and shiny. Some time soon I'm going to have to bite the bullet and sort them out, there's a few threads on here about repair/refurbishment/replacement, but the takeaway is that it's not cheap. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

Mar 15th, 2020, 09:00	#5
Clogs Clogs Last Online: Dec 26th, 2023 08:04 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canterbury	Eventually after about 15-20 years the reflective properties of headlamps deteriorate to such an extent that driving in the dark becomes difficult. The solution is simply to buy a pair of new headlamps (with motors for dipping further). Replacing the reflective material is a possibility (see posts on this) but is a faff. Brighter bulbs with poor reflective material won't help much. If you plan to keep the car for more than a few years, grasp the nettle and pay for new headlamps... they'll keep you going for another 15-20 years, after which they'll have to be replaced again. They cost nearly £400 in Jan 2017 from main dealer with discount. I fitted them easily myself. Last edited by Clogs; Mar 15th, 2020 at 09:03.

Mar 15th, 2020, 10:40	#8
volvo again Master Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 12:04 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Presteigne, mid Wales	Readily available from somewhere like PFS parts...

Mar 15th, 2020, 14:10	#9
Clogs Clogs Last Online: Dec 26th, 2023 08:04 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canterbury	Second hand headlights are already 15 years old While "good second hand headlights" may be better than the ones you have, they are going to be old as C/S/V70s stopped being made 15-20 years ago. They will only last a few years if original. They would have be replacements from the originals to be better and where would you look for the manufacture date on the headlamp to be sure?

Mar 15th, 2020, 19:17	#10
Alpine Senior Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2024 08:14 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Leeds	cheers all, I will take on board all the comments __________________ Phil '98 V70 2.5T (manual '99MY)

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