My driver side headlight on my 2002 Volvo s40 is almost always fogged up on wet days, especially when it is cold.

I guess there is a leak.

What do i look for in checking this out. I think it is causing other problems on my car, so I need to check it. Is the whole headlight assembly lens hard to remove?

Thanks in advance.

Newport_j

 

It's a tight fit but you can remove it with a bit of wiggling and cussing. You first remove the long vertical screw that holds the turn signal to the headlight. Then gently pull the turn signal forward (not left or right or up). There are 2 plastic pieces that fit into the fender that will break if you pull the housing other than forward.

Now you will see the two 10mm nuts which you remove next. Now remove the electrical connector on the headlights and the last two 10mm nuts on the back of the headlights.

The last part is the wiggling and cussing part. You have to push out the housing to clear the rear studs then pull the housing in to clear the side studs. On mine the front bumper cover hits the bottom of the housing so I have to move the housing around until it clears and pops out. The first time was a bear. It's gotten easier since.

There are clips holding the lens to the housing. Once removed the rubber strip under the lens is accessible. You can buy lens and rubber strips from online suppliers.

 

Okay, now this is getting annoying. The other headlight is burnt out. The lights last now for about 4 to 5 months. That suggest somethng is wrong. Both headlights have gone in about two weeks.

Is it the alternator, the voltage regulator or what. It was suggested to me to re-install the lights and let them fail again. That makes no sense.


What should I do, the lights do not last long in this car.

Newport_j

 

This is a known issue with all the 2000-2004 models. I believe it's in the forum FAQ. Maybe it's simply because they run all the time they just seem to wear out sooner?

 

I did not have this problem with my Volvo s40 in the first 5 to 6 years of it life. It just seems to have come on unpexpectedly in the last few years. There must be way to correct it. Where is the FAQ on it? Are thier longer lasting headlights available?

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Newport_j

 

I bought my 2001 used so I've only known it to blow bulbs fairly rapidly. I too would love a fix as the cost of new bulbs is outrageous.

I was mistaken in that the Frequently Asked Questions does not cover this issue. The FAQ is near the top of this section and covers a bunch of need-to-know S40 stuff.

 

Are there some kind of longer lasting headlight bulbs. You forgot to mention that not only are Volvo s40 headlight bulbs expensive they are very difficult to replace.


Newport_j