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Volvo S40 newb needs help with his HID

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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 01:17 PM
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Default Volvo S40 newb needs help with his HID

First of all, I'm new to the "attempting new things on my own car" area so I may not be using the right terms to describe what I want to say. I'll try my best to explain.

I've been researching the best I could but it feels like I've run into a brick wall...
Approximately 2 weeks ago, I've bought a HID kit from a friend (in hindsight, probably not the best idea)
We installed both high-beam & low-beam together and it seemed to work perfectly fine as long as it the light setting wasn't set on auto.
Approximately 24 hours later, both lights started flickering (low beam only) and after an additional 4 hours, my driver side headlight (low beam) wouldn't turn on.
After consulting with my friend, he has gotten me a new ballast for the driver side and we re installed.
Again, after a very short period of time, it didn't turn on.

To possibly resolve the issue, we obtained that cable thing (can't remember what it was called) and connected directly into the battery. To be honest, it looked very stable.
After driving for about 200 ft (if that), the driver side low beam just turns off (no flickering or changes on the left low beam). I thought it was weird so I turned off the car and started that car again at which point the light came back up. But once again.. < 200 ft and the light turns off.. (pictures show right before the drive.. and one small lap around the parking lot)

Any input on why this is? and possibly how to fix the matter?
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 04:13 PM
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Welcome to the forum and hope we can help.

What brand kit and what model number ?? What temperature ??
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Kiss4aFrog
Welcome to the forum and hope we can help.

What brand kit and what model number ?? What temperature ??
I'm lookig into all those information.. also, how would i measure the temperature??
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 04:46 PM
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It should be listed on the kit's box.

HID Color Temperature Differences | eHow
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Kiss4aFrog
It should be listed on the kit's box.

HID Color Temperature Differences | eHow
ah.. its 6k
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 05:05 PM
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If this is the same as others have reported then you have fried the low beam relays inside the CEM.

Originally Posted by Johnny Hamm
The CEM has one relay for each low beam headlight...12 VDC, 15 Amp, 240 Watts SPDT, (single pole, double throw) connected to the CEM circuit board. A few owners have reported de-soldering the bad relays, and soldering in the 5 pin replacement that costs @ $1.50 on the internet. Also, some reported success and some reported problems with used CEM's purchased on eBay. MAke sure that you look at your CEM number to procure a matching one. Apparently this is a common problem accross all recent Volvos when the bulbs/fuses are good, but there is still a headlight fail. I am working on identifying the relay.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...w-beams-68391/

Do a search for failed low beams and see if the 2004.5+ models are affected the same as the older models. I have read of the wipers not working after an HID install too. Checked your wipers lately?

Once the relays are repaired then in order for the CEM to continue working properly with the new HID headlights you will need to add an external relay so that the CEM only sees low amps. I'm not an electrical person at all so I could not tell you how.
 

Last edited by Hudini; Jun 12, 2013 at 05:11 PM.
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Hamm
Bro Hudini~

Always good to hear from you. I spent hours on several Volvo Forums and found the Brits (UK) to be wonderfully resourceful and resilient DIY ers---The CEM has two relays---each one controls the left and right low beam headlights, and the relays fail at an alarming rate. Most scavange the CEM's at the wrecking yards, but several owners have de-soldered the failed part, and soldered in a replacement--

In the USA, there is an online supplier...web addy is www.digikey.com The relay part number is 255-1240-ND. Cost is $1.72 (USD) plus shipping, and unlike the UK, there is no mininum...UK min. = 20 relays. Go figure. 5 pin relays are universal, and a few posters said the fit was perfect, and the soldering was uneventful...but use a cheap de-soldering pump (check out Google) to keep it clean.

Btw...once you access digikey's website and type in the PN (part number), scroll to the REAL part number you need....JSM1-12V-5

IF your squeamish about removing your CEM, (aka ECM)...the Brittish forum has a beneficial poster who has a great link you can download....

How did we cope before the Internet? Listen up....i just ordered my relays yesterday, but I intend to take pics and post my results asap. My confidence is HIGH! This Forum could be a great resource...but you Volvo Owners are gonna HAVE to get involved. Peace to all.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...nt-work-58301/
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 05:24 PM
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Thank you for tye very detaoled response..
This may sound dumb but if the circuit is fried.. wouldnt it just not turn on at all? it seems weird that it is conditional only to driving.. :/ but i will definately look into it
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 05:34 PM
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I'm just posting what others have found. Search around some more. I remember reading about windshield wipers not working after a HID install. Your wipers work?
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 06:25 PM
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It seems that my wiper works great.. haha.. i have officially took apart the whole thing and put it back together but no luck.. i read somewhere that if i remove or turn off the DRL or unstill something from the CEM, it resolve the problem.. thoughts?

side bar: while experimenting, the relay (picture attached) starts vibrating after 20 secondsish at which poibnt thw light flikers... thoughts??
 
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Old Jun 13, 2013 | 08:03 AM
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Check this link over at SwedeSpeed:

Swedespeed Forums - HOW TO - HID Light Install Document
 
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Old Jun 13, 2013 | 09:43 AM
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so i've looked over the link that you've sent me and since ti was such an old thread, the attachment link doesn't work
I am very thankful for your efforts though and it has shown that apparently I haven't looked into this hard enough.

I'll try to find more information. Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 13, 2013 | 12:13 PM
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Hello everyone!

So upon many many hours of researching.
I've come to the conclusion that I just have to go to the dealership to disable my DRL and it should make my problems go bye bye.

The complete break down of why I should do that is shown on the link (for anyone planning to install HID kit into cars)

Swedespeed Forums - Headlight PWM details?

I'll report later to report on how this changed (if any) everything.

Thank you all!
 
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Old Jun 14, 2013 | 07:25 PM
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I dont have any HID lights (nor do I plan to install any as I have had them kits before and didnt really care for them) but I feel I must caution you as I know a few friends who have them, well had, and if you don't get a bulb houseing designed for HID specificially you could be looking at possible issues ranging from the minor (but dangerous) casting the light into other oncoming drivers faces (eyes) or to the more serious melting your headlamp houseing (which I have seen happen also) so what ever you do please do exercise caution when doing the HIDs and using them, check your aiming of your lights also, and be sure to test in a controlled area like a large parking lot with a friend or two to test the cast pattern of light so you can adjust them so you can see but not blind oncoming traffic!!!
 
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Bluevolvos40
I dont have any HID lights (nor do I plan to install any as I have had them kits before and didnt really care for them) but I feel I must caution you as I know a few friends who have them, well had, and if you don't get a bulb houseing designed for HID specificially you could be looking at possible issues ranging from the minor (but dangerous) casting the light into other oncoming drivers faces (eyes) or to the more serious melting your headlamp houseing (which I have seen happen also) so what ever you do please do exercise caution when doing the HIDs and using them, check your aiming of your lights also, and be sure to test in a controlled area like a large parking lot with a friend or two to test the cast pattern of light so you can adjust them so you can see but not blind oncoming traffic!!!
hey thanks for the concern
i have adjusted the headlights originally when i've installed the light (i do care for the safety of others).
also, for some reason.. the problem fixed itself.. (no idea how)..
nothing additionally done, but problem solved... :/
 
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