Brighten your headlamps, for free!

T5R92011 · Nov 9th, 2015, 22:20

People with S40's V50s C30s....I posted this years ago but seeing as though the nights have now drawn in and these headlights are still crappy.....

Your projector lenses are almost certainly dirty.
Look close and you will see they are covered with a milky film that reduces the light output.

You can easily take the lenses out and clean them... Improves brightness, spread of light and gives a much nicer sharp cutoff.

SIDE NOTE: If you're feeling fruity, you can replace those glass lenses with CLEAR glass lenses for maximum light and amazing cut off (notice the original lenses have a frosted effect). See below link:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/kno...earlenses.html

As you know, you can remove the whole headlamp assembly just by removing a metal pin (looks like a tent peg) what an ingenious design by Volvo!.

mattievrs · Nov 9th, 2015, 23:12

I can vouch for this! On my old c30 I cleaned the lenses as they had gone cloudy and milky white. They cleaned up lovely and clear and gave about 50% more useable light afterwards!

StatusRed · Nov 10th, 2015, 10:47

I might give this a go when I'm back home at my parents' over Christmas.

Cheers!

ELO · Nov 10th, 2015, 19:56

From memory on one side the 3rd torx screw is inaccessible due to the tilt adjustment motor being in the way. So you can only clean one side, or am I missing something??

v70stu · Nov 10th, 2015, 21:19

The torx screw is hard to reach but I found that with some perseverance you can get enough movement/flex in the headlight innards to unfasten that screw. Just be gentle.

Krell · Nov 10th, 2015, 22:51

Thanks for the tip, I've got new bulbs on the way so will try cleaning as I'll have them apart anyway.

Cheers!

Snoodini · Nov 11th, 2015, 07:57

It this worth doing or even possible on the bi-xenon version?

T5R92011 · Nov 11th, 2015, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoodini

It this worth doing or even possible on the bi-xenon version?

Hell yes...... not sure if it's more difficult though.

cwmitch · Nov 12th, 2015, 08:07

Just did this on mine yesterday, it does work as others have said. You are right that the third torx screw is a pain but can be removed with a bit of effort.

Colin.

dcw · Nov 13th, 2015, 10:25

Did this on my 2007 C70 yesterday evening - not had a chance to try the lights around our dark lanes yet but even sat on the drive afterwards they looked brighter...

So thanks!

David

Nov 9th, 2015, 22:20	#1
T5R92011 HighMileD5 Last Online: Today 17:10 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Gloucester	Brighten your headlamps, for free! People with S40's V50s C30s....I posted this years ago but seeing as though the nights have now drawn in and these headlights are still crappy..... Your projector lenses are almost certainly dirty. Look close and you will see they are covered with a milky film that reduces the light output. You can easily take the lenses out and clean them... Improves brightness, spread of light and gives a much nicer sharp cutoff. SIDE NOTE: If you're feeling fruity, you can replace those glass lenses with CLEAR glass lenses for maximum light and amazing cut off (notice the original lenses have a frosted effect). See below link: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/kno...earlenses.html As you know, you can remove the whole headlamp assembly just by removing a metal pin (looks like a tent peg) what an ingenious design by Volvo!. Last edited by T5R92011; Nov 9th, 2015 at 22:23.

Nov 10th, 2015, 10:47	#3
StatusRed Premier Member Last Online: Today 00:08 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Glasgow	I might give this a go when I'm back home at my parents' over Christmas. Cheers! __________________ 2009 S40 SE Lux 2.0i \| 2022 Suzuki V-Strom 650 \| 2002 Audi TT 225 Previous: C70 Coupe 2.4i \| Saab 9-5 Aero \| Daihatsu SporTrak

Nov 10th, 2015, 21:19	#5
v70stu V60 T6 Last Online: Aug 23rd, 2018 18:01 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Leicestershire	The torx screw is hard to reach but I found that with some perseverance you can get enough movement/flex in the headlight innards to unfasten that screw. Just be gentle. __________________ 2010 V60 T6 AWD, 612 Passion Red,Polestar Optimised, Jetex stainless steel exhaust, ex-Volvo press fleet launch vehicle.

Nov 10th, 2015, 22:51	#6
Krell New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2015 00:33 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Melbourne/Adelaide	Thanks for the tip, I've got new bulbs on the way so will try cleaning as I'll have them apart anyway. Cheers! __________________ C30 2.4i 2007

Nov 13th, 2015, 10:25	#10
dcw VOC Member Last Online: Nov 3rd, 2024 10:08 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: YORK	Did this on my 2007 C70 yesterday evening - not had a chance to try the lights around our dark lanes yet but even sat on the drive afterwards they looked brighter... So thanks! David __________________ VOC 400 Series Register Keeper The current fleet: 1997 440 LE (plus options), 1994 480 GT and 2007 V50 SE Sport

Nov 9th, 2015, 23:12	#2
mattievrs Master Member Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2020 13:03 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Leicester	I can vouch for this! On my old c30 I cleaned the lenses as they had gone cloudy and milky white. They cleaned up lovely and clear and gave about 50% more useable light afterwards!

Nov 10th, 2015, 19:56	#4
ELO Junior Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2017 14:53 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Baltimore	From memory on one side the 3rd torx screw is inaccessible due to the tilt adjustment motor being in the way. So you can only clean one side, or am I missing something??

Nov 11th, 2015, 07:57	#7
Snoodini Member Last Online: Jul 20th, 2021 09:47 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Gothenburg	It this worth doing or even possible on the bi-xenon version?

Nov 12th, 2015, 08:07	#9
cwmitch Member Last Online: Dec 11th, 2023 21:49 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Carlisle	Just did this on mine yesterday, it does work as others have said. You are right that the third torx screw is a pain but can be removed with a bit of effort. Colin.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode