Volvo headlight units, which have I got?

Stevied1960 · May 22nd, 2018, 16:58

Hello Everyone.
I have just bought a V8 XC90, my first ever Volvo.
I changed from a Porsche Cayenne to the XC90, apart from the road holding the Volvo is winning hands down.
I now will be visiting the site for questions and answers.
First question to you knowledgeable peeps, one of my headlight units is weathered by the sun, the other is brand new due to being replaced as was damaged, this was before I became the new owner.
Can someone explain please? I don't think I have active Bi Xenon lights
But when I checked the dipped bulbs it has a Bi Xenon bulb D1S fitting, the main beam is H7 fittings. Are these active Bi Xenon or has someone just added the bulbs as aftermarket?
Next question, seeing as I like everything to be just right on my cars, the old light unit sticks out like a sore thumb, are there any differences between the halogen unit and active Bi Xenon unit please?
If anyone can explain which unit I need, can you point me in the right direction to purchase a new unit.
I have tried the polishing restoration kits, but it's still not as clear as the new one.
Regards Steven

Stevied1960 · May 22nd, 2018, 17:03

Hi All.
Just downloaded the pdf user manual, I don't have active Bi Xenon units.
So, does this mean that I have halogen units with an uprated bulb, or did these have D1S bulbs fitted as standard?
Would still like to source a new offside headlight unit, if anyone could advise where to get one. Mine is silver insert not the black one I have seen on some aftermarket ones.
The car is a 2007 model, sorry should have mentioned it in my first post.

SwissXC90 · May 22nd, 2018, 17:39

If you have a D1S bulb fitted, then it is a Xenon HID headlamp. A D1S is a Xenon bulb.

One can easily spot if it is factory original. Look for neat, tidy installation and Volvo branding on everything.

Look at this picture:

The second switch from the left has an image of a headlamp and arrows bending left and right.
This is for Active Bending Lights (ABL).
These are only found on Xenon equipped cars.
Do you have the switch?

My 2009 has ABL and Bi-Xenon. The Xenon is towards the outside of the car.
This means the low beam is Xenon, but is also used for high beam, with a shutter to change the beam pattern.
The inside lamp is a standard halogen lamp, and is used for high beam only.

Here's a halogen-halogen lamp:

And here's a Xenon projector lamp (left side), with halogen as the high beam (right side)

owenfackrell · May 22nd, 2018, 22:06

To add to Swiss’s post the xc90 also came with reflector type xenons which predate the projector style ones. They are easy to spot as they are all chrome rather than the halogen ones which have the black bits as above. They are also bi xenons as when you flock to high beam they are adjusted up to give extra light they do not have the bending function of the active ones with the projector type ones.
See this for an example
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F222952727370

Stevied1960 · May 23rd, 2018, 23:05

Thanks guys.
Owen I have the type which you mentioned, just like the one on eBay.
Many thanks for your help.

owenfackrell · May 24th, 2018, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevied1960

Thanks guys.
Owen I have the type which you mentioned, just like the one on eBay.
Many thanks for your help.

I also have these type ones fittedand they actually have d2r lamps in them if you are looking for replacement ones.

May 22nd, 2018, 16:58	#1
Stevied1960 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2021 15:40 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Norfolk	Volvo headlight units, which have I got? Hello Everyone. I have just bought a V8 XC90, my first ever Volvo. I changed from a Porsche Cayenne to the XC90, apart from the road holding the Volvo is winning hands down. I now will be visiting the site for questions and answers. First question to you knowledgeable peeps, one of my headlight units is weathered by the sun, the other is brand new due to being replaced as was damaged, this was before I became the new owner. Can someone explain please? I don't think I have active Bi Xenon lights But when I checked the dipped bulbs it has a Bi Xenon bulb D1S fitting, the main beam is H7 fittings. Are these active Bi Xenon or has someone just added the bulbs as aftermarket? Next question, seeing as I like everything to be just right on my cars, the old light unit sticks out like a sore thumb, are there any differences between the halogen unit and active Bi Xenon unit please? If anyone can explain which unit I need, can you point me in the right direction to purchase a new unit. I have tried the polishing restoration kits, but it's still not as clear as the new one. Regards Steven

May 22nd, 2018, 17:39	#3
SwissXC90 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 18:26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cross Country	If you have a D1S bulb fitted, then it is a Xenon HID headlamp. A D1S is a Xenon bulb. One can easily spot if it is factory original. Look for neat, tidy installation and Volvo branding on everything. Look at this picture: The second switch from the left has an image of a headlamp and arrows bending left and right. This is for Active Bending Lights (ABL). These are only found on Xenon equipped cars. Do you have the switch? My 2009 has ABL and Bi-Xenon. The Xenon is towards the outside of the car. This means the low beam is Xenon, but is also used for high beam, with a shutter to change the beam pattern. The inside lamp is a standard halogen lamp, and is used for high beam only. Here's a halogen-halogen lamp: And here's a Xenon projector lamp (left side), with halogen as the high beam (right side) __________________ XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65.

May 22nd, 2018, 22:06	#4
owenfackrell Premier Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 19:04 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: southampton	To add to Swiss’s post the xc90 also came with reflector type xenons which predate the projector style ones. They are easy to spot as they are all chrome rather than the halogen ones which have the black bits as above. They are also bi xenons as when you flock to high beam they are adjusted up to give extra light they do not have the bending function of the active ones with the projector type ones. See this for an example https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F222952727370 Last edited by owenfackrell; May 22nd, 2018 at 22:09. Reason: To add details

May 22nd, 2018, 17:03	#2
Stevied1960 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2021 15:40 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Norfolk	Hi All. Just downloaded the pdf user manual, I don't have active Bi Xenon units. So, does this mean that I have halogen units with an uprated bulb, or did these have D1S bulbs fitted as standard? Would still like to source a new offside headlight unit, if anyone could advise where to get one. Mine is silver insert not the black one I have seen on some aftermarket ones. The car is a 2007 model, sorry should have mentioned it in my first post.

May 23rd, 2018, 23:05	#5
Stevied1960 Junior Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2021 15:40 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Norfolk	Thanks guys. Owen I have the type which you mentioned, just like the one on eBay. Many thanks for your help.

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