Hi Guys,

When you turn your high beams on are the low beams supposed to go off? Or do both the high beams and low beams stay on when you're using your high beams? The reason I ask is because my wife's XC90 has repeatedly melted the low beam bulb H11 connector on the negative side on both headlights. I've soldered a new 'high-temp' H11 connector in multiple times on both headlights and the same result always occurs - the connector ends up melting between the bulb and the negative side of the bulb connector. I just replaced both sides again this evening w/ some ceramic connectors this time in hopes that they'll hold and used bulb grease for the first time (didn't even realize this stuff existed lol). I've been using the standard 55w H11 halogen bulb.

From what I've read, the weather insulation on the connectors is the culprit - causing heat to build up inside the headlight housing until the connection melts. I tried pulling those little rubber connections out this time to get more air to the wire, but ultimately it ended with the same result - a burnt up negative connection. Now I'm wondering if there's a short or the relay that is supposed to switch between hi/lo beams (if it exists) is shot and if both are on the same circuit....the addition of the high beams to the low beams is pulling too much power through the wiring - melting the connection?

Any advice is appreciated and thanks!

 

Do you always use a new bulb when you replace the connector?

At my shop I tried a few aftermarket h11 connectors - and had to warranty them all because they melted again, soon. So I only use the expensive Volvo factory part. And they last (with a new bulb installed at the same time)