Hello everyone,

I have an 01 s40 and for the past couple weeks the drivers headlight (lowbeam) has been working intermittently, until just the other night it quit working completely. I went and replaced the bulb and it didnt fix anything so i pulled the whole assembly out breaking all the adjustment ***** cause the plastic was just brittle.

SO i put a whole new assembly (not cheap) in the car and the headlight still does not work. I have checked all fuses and they are fine. Does anyone have an idea about what might be the problem?

I read something about a possible problem with the central electric modual but have a hard time believing that the light would be the only thing affected. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

Josh

 

Hello,[/align]I am going to buy a used Volvo S40 2001,in the next week and I would like to know if there is anything I need to know abou this car before I buy.[/align][/align]Is the S40 a lemon? Are people happy with what hey get, when buying an S40?[/align][/align]thank you so much for your time[/align]

 

It's probably not a good idea to post a question like that on a guy's thread about a problem, 1qaz!

I'll take the time to answer your question: It is a CAR, they are expensive to keep and maintain. Every car has problem areas that go bad.

First: the basics how many miles on the car?
Service records present and correct?
Are you buying from a reputable dealer?

Second: get it checked out BEFORE buying it seems obvious, but many people do not do this. Spend the $30 or $40 that it costs to check it out for peace of mind. Work the A.C. and the heat. Any smells? Check all lights.

Third: take a drive When you go to first see the car, open the hood to make sure the owner has not warmed the car up for an east start. Start it up. Does it start easily? Take the car for a drive WITHOUT the radio on. Listen to the engine at idle: remember, it is a 4 cyl. so there will be some noise. Do you feel vibration in the wheel or dash? If so, it could be motor mounts. Take a drive on the freeway. Let go of the wheel. Does the car continue straight on or drift to one side? Any odd vibrations at high speed? Find a deserted road and floor it. Does it respond adequately? Any odd noises? Find a deserted road and get up to speed and slam on the brakes. Do they work well? Is there any drift to one side?

Finally: open the bonnet before driving look for fluid leaks, check fluid levels, Does it burn oil?, check for smells. Check the battery date. After drive, open bonnet and look around again to make sure nothing is out of place. Any smells while driving?

Basically just be vigilant and make sure you know what you're buying!
I hope you make a good decision. Let us know what happens!

(sorry for hijacking your thread tsuxjfreak!)

 

I have heard there was a problem at times but I have never had one myself. I would try to backtrack as far as you can checking the wiring.

 

I have some experience with this problem on my 2000 s40 last summer. I would recommend you check if you have voltage to that wiring harness to the light. Mine was the passenger side head light out.Fuses all ok, but no voltage to the lightwas my problem. Had to take it toVolvo dealer. Volvo diagnosed bad CEM. Replaced CEM and light is fine now. I recall it was in the$500 range.Crazy that a headlight out results inthatmuch coin. Let us know what the problem turns out to be.

 

Thanks for the replies having to do with my problem. I have no voltage to the wires going to the low beam, but when i turn on the brights i have voltage to the high beam. So as far as i could track it back without undoing the big bundle of wire i have no voltage to the harness that plugs into the headlight assembly. I checked all the plugs for the CEM and they looked fine so it must be inturnal. I just hate that a part that I can could switch out in 5 min cost so much. Thanks again!

 

I had this same issue and the outlet on the headlight that plugs into the harness had a missing prong. Looks like that is your cause.

 

SO today i got a different CEM from my sister in-laws car that she totaled, same volvo type. I unplugged the original CEM and plugged in the new one, my left low beam works now, but the right low beam does not work now. So i went back to the original and when i got it plugged back in i had no low beams at all either side! IS that a possible degeneration of the CEM from plugging in and taking out so much? since a changed happens when i switch the CEM's i still figure it is the CEM causing the problem, but i am lost.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the headlight system on this volvo? 2001 s40 1.9T

Thanks again

 

I will see if I can find one.