Hi there,
I have a 2001 S60 with 101k, purchased about 5 months ago. Every time it rains, I receive an error message that I have a light of some type out. A random order of light(s) but mostly a headlight or parking light in the rear. Yes the light identified is truly out. Once I see the message and don't drive the vehicle for for a few days, the error message goes away and the light is sometimes brunt or working. If a headlight, the light is burnt and I replace. I changed both headlights and a left side headlight in 3 months. I verified that the headlight caps has a good seal and does not have condensation behind the cap when it rains. FYI: All of the bulbs in the car were replaced with new bulbs with the last 3 months when I started experiencing the problem.

Could this be a module of some type? Also, can you recommend a service manual?

Your assistance would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott G.

 

That is very strange.
It could be many things.

 

Hi Tech,

If you give me some direction, I'll start checking them off the list.

Thanks,
garrisos

 

Which messages are the most frequent to come up?
Headlights?
Taillights?
brake lights?

 

Taillights or parking lights are the most frequent. BTW: Most recently a taillight went out yesterday. It was not raining or damp outside.

 

Maybe that was it but see what happens.
Do you ever see moisture in the trunk after rain?
Maybe the drains are clogged up?
I would also check the the plugs for the headlights and make sure the little rubber gasket is still in the plug.

 

Not sure what you mean by, "Maybe that was it but see what happens."

Never any rain or dampness in the trunk area. Always dry.

I just checked the drains and all are clear. One small pine needle is all.

I assume you are talking about the plug that connects to the socket assembly that hold the 4 bulbs? If so, the plug is very clean and the orange colored gasket is in task and pristine.

 

Maybe the bulb that went bad was intermitantly not working throwing the message.
I see that all the time I will have a message or someone says thay have a bulb out then when I get it the bulbs work fine. Then I test drive and hit a bump and it goes out. Then hit another bump and it works again. I have seen alot of bad bulb elements do that.

 

I may try using a small piece of sand paper to clean the socket contact and then ensure proper tension against the bulb to eliminate the bump, bump syndrome.
Should bulb grease ever be used...?
Also, what voltage should be read at the bulb points? Is there a min and max?

 

Alot of people use bulb grease and say it makes the bulbs last longer.
I believe the voltage should be 12 volts.

 

Thanks. I'll see if that helps.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

I had a headlight burn out again which was on the driver side. I also had a rear passenger parking light burn out also. I'm trying to identify a pattern. By posting when it takes place maybe I can pin point a pattern. At a loss at this point...

So the last headlight that burnt out was in the Feb time frame. Almost three months to the day.

 

I would get the alternator tested at Autozone. I have the 01 S60 and just recently replaced the alternator as it crapped out on me 400 miles away from home and I was in a similar boat as you, replacing a bulb weekly at random. You might be experiencing random surges like I had.

 

could a battery that is slowly pulling the engine over cause the spikes.

 

I have the problem of the position light on the passenger rear burning out weekly.I need a fix. Is it the battery. Any Volvo mechanic out there. Thanks