Low Beam Bulb Failure: Could Be Ballast
#21
10-12-2016, 07:23 PM
2006 xc90 low beam failure
I have the error message of LOW BEAM FAILURE and have read it is probably the ballast. (we have changed the bulbs several times.) Does any know where is the ballast located on the xc90 headlight? We have found the 2004 information but it does not seem to be the same for the 2006.
#22
10-18-2016, 09:27 AM
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Got the "low beam fail" again
This time it really was out, so I went to the parts store, which, at 7 miles, is closer to my home than the dealer... 3 miles away... 
and got a pair of H11 bulbs.
When I opened the bulb housing and removed the bulb I noticed severe burning had occurred around one of the bulb terminals and yet, the bulb appears to still be intact. (No broken filament.)
Inspecting the bulb socket showed that half the plastic socket had broken away and the "smoked" terminal was essentially a bare wire.
I went again to the parts store for bulb sockets, thinking that an off the shelf bulb would have off the shelf sockets to match. Indeed, but not quite.
The new sockets have a single tong to secure bulb to socket while the OEM socket had tongs one each side of the bulb. Any reason I shouldn't splice in the new sockets? I can't imagine any real functional differences.
ed: Over lunch I spliced in the new socket and the old bulb fired right up. Now the watching and waiting begins.
Thanks
and got a pair of H11 bulbs. When I opened the bulb housing and removed the bulb I noticed severe burning had occurred around one of the bulb terminals and yet, the bulb appears to still be intact. (No broken filament.)
Inspecting the bulb socket showed that half the plastic socket had broken away and the "smoked" terminal was essentially a bare wire.
I went again to the parts store for bulb sockets, thinking that an off the shelf bulb would have off the shelf sockets to match. Indeed, but not quite.
The new sockets have a single tong to secure bulb to socket while the OEM socket had tongs one each side of the bulb. Any reason I shouldn't splice in the new sockets? I can't imagine any real functional differences.
ed: Over lunch I spliced in the new socket and the old bulb fired right up. Now the watching and waiting begins.
Thanks
Last edited by DPaulKu; 10-18-2016 at 04:50 PM.
#23
09-21-2017, 03:07 AM
Trying to figure out where my ballast is for my 06 xc90
Hello so 2 days now I've been experiencing false low beam failure on & off so basically the same thing and I'm convinced that my ballast could be the problem.. only thing is I can't find it to search for the exact model to order can someone help me out???
#24
02-19-2018, 06:40 PM
Ballast
Thanks for the info, do you know the part number for the ballast...? My low beam error signal come on intermittently but I have just installed 2 x bulbs (not Xenon) halogen bulbs. Not sure what the problem is other than your suggestion being to replace the ballast. Any more info would be great. Thanks
Just wanted to post this out there to any other Volvo owners experiencing the low beam bulb failure. I have a 2004 XC90 that had this problem. The light would flicker intermittently, and I'd get the warning message. After checking fuses, swapping out bulbs and ignitors, a service shop determined it was a bad ballast.
It was going to cost me about $400 parts and labor for a used one, but I found a used ballast on eBay for $95. I was able to install it in about 15 minutes and good to go. It's a pretty simple fix:
The ballast is mounted on the bottom of the headlamp assembly. To get to it, raise the hood and pull out the 2 aluminum L-brackets holding the headlamp in place. Gently pull the headlamp forward from the frame. There is a wiring harness connector with a clip that has to be pulled up to disengage, and then you should be able to remove the headlamp. Then you can take it to your workbench or kitchen table.
Set the headlamp upside down on a flat surface. The ballast is the square box on the bottom, about 5 x 7 in size give or take, held in place by six torx screws (I think #11, but can't remember). Simply remove the screws and gently pry out the ballast with a flat head screwdriver or other pry tool being careful not to crack the housing. Also make sure you remove the rubber seal.
Unplug the two connectors going to the ballast, and install the new ballast. Be sure to use the rubber seal supplied with the part, or reuse the old one, to help seal out water and moisture. Install the headlamp assembly back onto the car and you should be good to go.
Also, while you have the headlamp removed, might be a good time to buff and polish the plastic to get that haze off them
.
Hope this helps somebody out there and saves a few bucks. Saved me $300! That's beer money!
It was going to cost me about $400 parts and labor for a used one, but I found a used ballast on eBay for $95. I was able to install it in about 15 minutes and good to go. It's a pretty simple fix:
The ballast is mounted on the bottom of the headlamp assembly. To get to it, raise the hood and pull out the 2 aluminum L-brackets holding the headlamp in place. Gently pull the headlamp forward from the frame. There is a wiring harness connector with a clip that has to be pulled up to disengage, and then you should be able to remove the headlamp. Then you can take it to your workbench or kitchen table.
Set the headlamp upside down on a flat surface. The ballast is the square box on the bottom, about 5 x 7 in size give or take, held in place by six torx screws (I think #11, but can't remember). Simply remove the screws and gently pry out the ballast with a flat head screwdriver or other pry tool being careful not to crack the housing. Also make sure you remove the rubber seal.
Unplug the two connectors going to the ballast, and install the new ballast. Be sure to use the rubber seal supplied with the part, or reuse the old one, to help seal out water and moisture. Install the headlamp assembly back onto the car and you should be good to go.
Also, while you have the headlamp removed, might be a good time to buff and polish the plastic to get that haze off them
.Hope this helps somebody out there and saves a few bucks. Saved me $300! That's beer money!
#25
03-08-2018, 04:17 PM
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New Owner of a 2005 Xc90 and now Im 😭
We just bought this car 3 days ago. What a beauty and we got it for $3000. Well today I finally did my research and lo and behold Im over here 😭😲😭 ugly.There is allot of complaints online regarding this car and Im having the same issues with the headlight as others on this forum and online.
We got a deal on this beautiful car but now Im thinking with all the issues people are having. It will cost more to maintain. I have no business owing this car in the first place because of high maintenance costs and issues, but it was what our family can afford right now.
Thank you for posting these helpful posts for folks like us. But for now, Im going to continue banging my head on the headlight for not researching this car before purchase.
We got a deal on this beautiful car but now Im thinking with all the issues people are having. It will cost more to maintain. I have no business owing this car in the first place because of high maintenance costs and issues, but it was what our family can afford right now.
Thank you for posting these helpful posts for folks like us. But for now, Im going to continue banging my head on the headlight for not researching this car before purchase.
#26
05-09-2018, 07:23 PM
#27
01-27-2019, 11:05 PM
changing to LED ?
I see some people already on this issue. Infamous message "low beam failure" but the bulbs are fine, found the connectors melted, got them replaced($26 a piece), 7 months later same thing. I can just replace the connectors again but thats not the root of the problem. May be ballasts, like was mentioned here before?
2006 XC90 130K
. Infamous message "low beam failure" but the bulbs are fine, found the connectors melted, got them replaced($26 a piece), 7 months later same thing. I can just replace the connectors again but thats not the root of the problem. May be ballasts, like was mentioned here before?2006 XC90 130K
By having DRL the connector gets hot and looses a good connection. Taking the headlamp out and wiggling it usually fixes the problem. Works for me but not my wife. :/
I was wondering, if I change my bulbs to the LED type, would the lower amperage maybe not heat up the connector as much ?
What do you guys think ?
#28
02-17-2020, 02:47 PM
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