S80: General - changing headlamp bulbs

bazzam · May 27th, 2009, 12:20

Anyone got any tips about changing headlamp bulbs on the S80?
Getting the whole unit out is OK if not a bit overkill but actually removing the bulbs and replacing them seems to need the strength of superman and the hands the size of a 6 year olds.
Dipped beam bulb is manageable but the main beam and parking light is a a real problem.
Any help appreciated.

dodgyken · May 27th, 2009, 16:21

Isn't the latest S80 equipped with Xenons??

GMcL · May 27th, 2009, 18:56

Xenons are still a cost option in the UK AFAIAA.

At least you can get the unit out, believe me, you wouldn't think it overkill if you tried it without removing the unit. Is it difficult to get into the back of the unit or is the problem the bulbs being tight in the socket ?

bazzam · May 28th, 2009, 07:06

They're halogen bulbs.

The problem is getting access into the small opening at the back - I can just about touch the bulb holder but not enough to get a grip on it.

My previous S80 was so easy - just a 2 minute job!!

calypsoe34 · Mar 31st, 2011, 13:28

Ebay is doing a roaring trade in replacement headlamps for these because of breakages. Dipped beam is painful enough, but at least there's decent access. Main beam H9 bulb replacement is nigh on impossible with your fingers, and the bulb holder is held into the unit with 3 flimsy pieces of plastic. I turned the bulb and its built in socket using a long nosed pliers, and got it out - but when I put the replacement bulb in, it snapped the mountings. Headlamp a write-off.

The other thing is that if you push to hard on the bulb surround, the internal bulb mountings can break away from the rest of the lamp, rendering ir scrap, as you can't remove the glass from the rest of the headlamp assembly.

When I first saw the way the lamps came out for bulb replacement, I thought "what an inspired piece of design" - that feeling didn't last, as the lamp unit was designed by an imbecile, clearly.

Still - I have decided to replace the lamps with the 2008 on ones, which although still halogen, are better looking with the extra silver part at the front of the lamp, so all's well - even if I'm £150 down. I'll try and treat the whole episode as an upgrade rather than a screw up! Dealer says they will fit my new bright bulbs FOC.

Westyman · Mar 31st, 2011, 23:08

My 2005 V70 ate dipped beam bulbs until I bought some long-life ones, meant for constantly-on use, like Volvos. The first one took me several hours, but after a few years I got it down to about 30 mins.
I had a technician friend at a Volvo franchise (made redundant after Pendragon took over and then closed the place) who said they took the front bumper off, as it was quicker!!
Have yet to experience the "pleasure" on my 2011MY V70.

andycoop62 · Jan 23rd, 2019, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by calypsoe34

Ebay is doing a roaring trade in replacement headlamps for these because of breakages. Dipped beam is painful enough, but at least there's decent access. Main beam H9 bulb replacement is nigh on impossible with your fingers, and the bulb holder is held into the unit with 3 flimsy pieces of plastic. I turned the bulb and its built in socket using a long nosed pliers, and got it out - but when I put the replacement bulb in, it snapped the mountings. Headlamp a write-off.

The other thing is that if you push to hard on the bulb surround, the internal bulb mountings can break away from the rest of the lamp, rendering ir scrap, as you can't remove the glass from the rest of the headlamp assembly.

When I first saw the way the lamps came out for bulb replacement, I thought "what an inspired piece of design" - that feeling didn't last, as the lamp unit was designed by an imbecile, clearly.

Still - I have decided to replace the lamps with the 2008 on ones, which although still halogen, are better looking with the extra silver part at the front of the lamp, so all's well - even if I'm £150 down. I'll try and treat the whole episode as an upgrade rather than a screw up! Dealer says they will fit my new bright bulbs FOC.

I just changed both main beams in my 2007 S80 after they bizarrely blew at the same time. Pig of a job, near side went okay but on the offside the reflector assembly inside came adrift completely. Using hooks, I managed to refit it onto its clips and put the new bulb in. Not easy but saved me a new unit. Hint: I used the headlight retaining pins to hook the reflector unit and pull it back onto its mountings

green van man · Jan 23rd, 2019, 17:22

I baught a long parallel opening jaws pliers specifically for this job, £23 well spent by the look if it. I've changed the dip beams, not needed the others yet but just looking at the job convinced me to get the kit ready as sure as eggs it's gonna be needed.

Paul.

Waynedance · Jan 23rd, 2019, 20:31

Dam halogen bulbs must be harder to replace than my xenons as they take 5 minutes.

Thommykent · Jan 27th, 2019, 03:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynedance

Dam halogen bulbs must be harder to replace than my xenons as they take 5 minutes.

No one likes a braggart mate

May 27th, 2009, 12:20	#1
bazzam New Member Last Online: May 28th, 2009 09:44 Join Date: May 2009 Location: sutton	changing headlamp bulbs Anyone got any tips about changing headlamp bulbs on the S80? Getting the whole unit out is OK if not a bit overkill but actually removing the bulbs and replacing them seems to need the strength of superman and the hands the size of a 6 year olds. Dipped beam bulb is manageable but the main beam and parking light is a a real problem. Any help appreciated.

May 27th, 2009, 18:56	#3
GMcL 0's and 1's Last Online: Yesterday 18:26 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: -	Xenons are still a cost option in the UK AFAIAA. At least you can get the unit out, believe me, you wouldn't think it overkill if you tried it without removing the unit. Is it difficult to get into the back of the unit or is the problem the bulbs being tight in the socket ? __________________ 2011 Volvo S60 D3 R-design Premium - 2020 Focus ST estate automatic - 2020 KIA eSoul 150kW 64kwh EV Previous: 2005 Volvo S60 D5 Sport - 2017 Focus RS

Mar 31st, 2011, 13:28	#5
calypsoe34 VOC Member Last Online: Jul 20th, 2015 16:48 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Inverness	Ebay is doing a roaring trade in replacement headlamps for these because of breakages. Dipped beam is painful enough, but at least there's decent access. Main beam H9 bulb replacement is nigh on impossible with your fingers, and the bulb holder is held into the unit with 3 flimsy pieces of plastic. I turned the bulb and its built in socket using a long nosed pliers, and got it out - but when I put the replacement bulb in, it snapped the mountings. Headlamp a write-off. The other thing is that if you push to hard on the bulb surround, the internal bulb mountings can break away from the rest of the lamp, rendering ir scrap, as you can't remove the glass from the rest of the headlamp assembly. When I first saw the way the lamps came out for bulb replacement, I thought "what an inspired piece of design" - that feeling didn't last, as the lamp unit was designed by an imbecile, clearly. Still - I have decided to replace the lamps with the 2008 on ones, which although still halogen, are better looking with the extra silver part at the front of the lamp, so all's well - even if I'm £150 down. I'll try and treat the whole episode as an upgrade rather than a screw up! Dealer says they will fit my new bright bulbs FOC. __________________ Current : 2009 V70 2.4D5 205 SE Geartronic Previous : 2007 S80 2.4D SE Geartronic Previous : 2000 V70 Classic 170BHP Previous : 1997 S70 S 2.5 140BHP Last edited by calypsoe34; Mar 31st, 2011 at 13:45.

Mar 31st, 2011, 23:08	#6
Westyman VOC Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2023 21:36 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Derby	My 2005 V70 ate dipped beam bulbs until I bought some long-life ones, meant for constantly-on use, like Volvos. The first one took me several hours, but after a few years I got it down to about 30 mins. I had a technician friend at a Volvo franchise (made redundant after Pendragon took over and then closed the place) who said they took the front bumper off, as it was quicker!! Have yet to experience the "pleasure" on my 2011MY V70. __________________ 2014MY XC60 D5 SE Lux AWD Geartronic hauling a 2011MY Vanmaster Accolade And for more fun: 1972 MG B GT

Jan 23rd, 2019, 20:31	#9
Waynedance Senior Member Last Online: Mar 15th, 2021 22:31 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Nuneaton	Dam halogen bulbs must be harder to replace than my xenons as they take 5 minutes. __________________ S80 P3 SE LUX D5 Auto

May 27th, 2009, 16:21	#2
dodgyken Master Member Last Online: May 13th, 2014 14:41 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Zollikon	Isn't the latest S80 equipped with Xenons??

May 28th, 2009, 07:06	#4
bazzam New Member Last Online: May 28th, 2009 09:44 Join Date: May 2009 Location: sutton	They're halogen bulbs. The problem is getting access into the small opening at the back - I can just about touch the bulb holder but not enough to get a grip on it. My previous S80 was so easy - just a 2 minute job!!

Jan 23rd, 2019, 17:22	#8
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	I baught a long parallel opening jaws pliers specifically for this job, £23 well spent by the look if it. I've changed the dip beams, not needed the others yet but just looking at the job convinced me to get the kit ready as sure as eggs it's gonna be needed. Paul.

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