S60/V60 Volvo S60 headlamps

[sanpt7777]

Hi all!
At the moment I have a Volvo S60 that my dad asked me to sell.
It's a 2004 2.5T (low pressure turbo).
It has xenon headlamps, the housings don't have projectors, they look normal.
The problem is, my left xenon, which happens to be the only xenon that works (the other bulb no longer turns on), aims too low.
It literally gives like a metre of light in front of the car. I have to use the fog light (one is broken xD) which aims higher by the way. When I start the car, it will self level and aim normally, then it goes all the way down. When I use the high beams, it will self level up and after I turn the high beams off, the low xenon beams will stay at a reasonable aiming, but then they go all the way down.
If anybody experienced this, what did you do?
Left high beam aims as low as the xenon low beam. Right high beam aims normally, but there is no xenon low beam to see its aim. I guess it's aimed normally as the high beam.


Is this a good car to own? Seems pretty solid, only thing is it stinks of gasoline due to defective fuel pump and the steering feels weird, when cornering, it becomes soft and then hard in half second intervals. It's easy to handle but it has me worried.
I'm considering buying the car myself, that's why I ask all of this. Thanks!!

 

[Giannis]

I have a late 2004 S60 2.0T (facelift). First of all, it's not so low pressure as you might think. It works up to 0.8 bars of pressure and maintains 0.6 bars at the rev limiter. Not bad!

As for all those issues you mention, I have experienced none of them so far, yet mine came with halogen head lights.

So, what I suggest:

1. The fuel pump must be common with some fast Focus. I know the fuel pump of the 2.0T (B5204T5) is the same as of the Focus ST of the same year. Same part code. The difference is 200€. Mine still works, though. I suggest that you fix it.

2. The steering is not communicative - it's a Volvo after all. But it doesn't turn from soft to hard. Maybe you have issues with the steering assist unit. You should have it checked.

3. The xenon headlights are usually controlled by a specific ECU that's housed somewhere under the hood. If they don't level up, the fault is either with this ECU or with the ride height sensors, which, if I am not mistaken, are positioned on the from McPherson arms.

It's a very good car to own, if you want a comfortable cruiser. Fuel consumption depends on your right foot. Mine has been perfectly reliable and the only things that I had to change after 160.000km of ownership (got it new) is a couple of engine mounts and now a pressure release bearing for the clutch. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you take good care of it, by replacing the brake pads, shock absorbers, etc with proper quality parts when due, you will have a very very descent car.

 

[sanpt7777]

Thanks for such a complete answer!

1. The fuel pump must be common with some fast Focus. I know the fuel pump of the 2.0T (B5204T5) is the same as of the Focus ST of the same year. Same part code. The difference is 200€. Mine still works, though. I suggest that you fix it.

I have the 2.5T and seems like there was a recall about this, but dealership "knows nothing" about the issue. I contacted Volvo of Mexico and Volvo Sweden to see if they can help. Guy at the dealership was rude and seemed uninformed.

2. The steering is not communicative - it's a Volvo after all. But it doesn't turn from soft to hard. Maybe you have issues with the steering assist unit. You should have it checked.

I like the steering feel, the problem is it pulls to the other side when turning. I've been doing research (I stayed until late at night yesterday xD) and seems like it could be a damaged steering rack.

3. The xenon headlights are usually controlled by a specific ECU that's housed somewhere under the hood. If they don't level up, the fault is either with this ECU or with the ride height sensors, which, if I am not mistaken, are positioned on the from McPherson arms.

This has me very confused, as the headlights do align, the problem is the one on the left gives literally like 3 meters of light. I'll post pics.

It's a very good car to own, if you want a comfortable cruiser. Fuel consumption depends on your right foot. Mine has been perfectly reliable and the only things that I had to change after 160.000km of ownership (got it new) is a couple of engine mounts and now a pressure release bearing for the clutch. Nothing more, nothing less.

This one is at 153,000km and only has minor issues and a big problem: it's an automatic haha

If you take good care of it, by replacing the brake pads, shock absorbers, etc with proper quality parts when due, you will have a very very descent car.

I'm guessing you live in Europe. I don't know about there, but here, Volvos lose value like crazy and are hard to sell. People have some misconception that they are unreliable and super expensive to own. My uncle has a 2004 S40 T4 bought new like you, and hasn't had any problems. I think it has like 100,000km and still looks like I remember it 10 years ago.
This S60 is clean and has minor details, many of them can be solved with used parts and some DIY work. It's lost almost all it's value,the person who owns it now payed like 90,000 Mexican pesos for it, new it was around 470,000 and they are happy if someone gives them 60,000 now, which is around €3,800.00
It's an advantage for me haha

Thanks again Giannis, I'll look forward to fixing the car. Part of me wants to keep it.

 

[sanpt7777]

Seems like I messed the reply, I'm on my phone, I'll fix it when I get a chance to use a PC

 

[sanpt7777]

Sorry for the low quality picture, but here's a "collage" of various pics I took of the lighting.

As you can see, at first it aims relatively high, and then it goes super low. The right high beam hits the wall, unlike the left one which hits the floor.
The only fog light that works, lights the lower part of the wall as well. It's very subtle but it's there.
I hope someone knows about this issue, I don't like making accounts on forums I don't plan on visiting regularly, that's why I haven't asked on swedespeed or other volvo forum.
I'll keep doing my research as well

 

[Giannis]

I'm guessing you live in Europe. I don't know about there, but here, Volvos lose value like crazy and are hard to sell.

Yes, I live in Europe. In Greece, to be precise.

And indeed, larger Volvo's are quite hard to sell here. I bought mine 34.000€ back in 2004 and it's wort about 3 to 4.000€. I don't care, though. I am not willing to sell it.

People have some misconception that they are unreliable and super expensive to own.

Some parts are expensive, but it's quite easy to identify the supplier and shop directly from them for most parts.

here's a "collage" of various pics I took of the lighting.

If you have a smartphone you can buy a cheap bluetooth OBDII connector and download an application called Torque. This combinations can read any errors logged in the ECU. Maybe you can identify if it's the controller or the sensors of the Xenon headlamps.

 

[sanpt7777]

Some parts are expensive, but it's quite easy to identify the supplier and shop directly from them for most parts.

Yes that's true, but I once saw a guy that turned down this same Volvo because of those reasons. Instead, he bought a beaten Audi A3 which looked like it had been crashed and driven hard.

If you have a smartphone you can buy a cheap bluetooth OBDII connector and download an application called Torque. This combinations can read any errors logged in the ECU. Maybe you can identify if it's the controller or the sensors of the Xenon headlamps.

That's genius, I'll look into that

 

[sanpt7777]

The fuel pump must be common with some fast Focus. I know the fuel pump of the 2.0T (B5204T5) is the same as of the Focus ST of the same year. Same part code. The difference is 200€. Mine still works, though. I suggest that you fix it.

Hey Giannis, is there a way to check part numbers online?
I want to see if Focus ST fuel pump matches that of the 2.5T
Otherwise I'll call tomorrow to Ford and Volvo

 

[Giannis]

Hey Giannis, is there a way to check part numbers online?

Check these sites:

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/
http://www.myswedishparts.com/parts/2005/Volvo/S60/2.5T/?siteid=213784&vehicleid=188886&searchText=
http://www.volvooemparts.com/

That's genius, I'll look into that

Search for ELM327. That's what you need.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xelm327&_nkw=elm327&_sacat=0

I want to see if Focus ST fuel pump matches that of the 2.5T
Otherwise I'll call tomorrow to Ford and Volvo

I was tipped by a mechanic at the official dealership a few years back. Never came to actually verify it, to be honest.

 

[sanpt7777]

Check these sites:

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/
http://www.myswedishparts.com/parts/2005/Volvo/S60/2.5T/?siteid=213784&vehicleid=188886&searchText=
http://www.volvooemparts.com/



Search for ELM327. That's what you need.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=obdii 327&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xelm327&_nkw=elm327&_sacat=0



I was tipped by a mechanic at the official dealership a few years back. Never came to actually verify it, to be honest.

Thanks again Giannis, I listed the car for sale. I still feel like keeping it but the auto puts me off. And it needs some new stuff and maintenance. Nothing serious, but everything adds.
I found a fuel pump on IPD for a reasonable price. I'll call Ford and Volvo to check the price and if a Focus fuel pump will do.

Just to share, here are some pics of the car:







I like this shape here a lot


Cheers!

 

[sanpt7777]

Just to update Giannis, my dad is keeping the Volvo. I wanted to keep it myself but that's better than nothing haha

 

[KiwiRob]

Thanks for such a complete answer!


I'm guessing you live in Europe. I don't know about there, but here, Volvos lose value like crazy and are hard to sell. People have some misconception that they are unreliable and super expensive to own. My uncle has a 2004 S40 T4 bought new like you, and hasn't had any problems. I think it has like 100,000km and still looks like I remember it 10 years ago.
This S60 is clean and has minor details, many of them can be solved with used parts and some DIY work. It's lost almost all it's value,the person who owns it now payed like 90,000 Mexican pesos for it, new it was around 470,000 and they are happy if someone gives them 60,000 now, which is around €3,800.00
It's an advantage for me haha

Thanks again Giannis, I'll look forward to fixing the car. Part of me wants to keep it.

Very few cars make money over time, to lesson the risk sell after 3 years, don't keep it any longer unless you intend to run it for a very long time, at least 10 years or more.

 

[sanpt7777]

Very few cars make money over time, to lesson the risk sell after 3 years, don't keep it any longer unless you intend to run it for a very long time, at least 10 years or more.

Yes but Volvos not only seem to lose more value, people don't want to buy them. At least here. It's weird since they are so nice cars in my opinion. They are good at everything,discreet etc
Well at least here in Mexico works like that

 

[KiwiRob]

Yes but Volvos not only seem to lose more value, people don't want to buy them. At least here. It's weird since they are so nice cars in my opinion. They are good at everything,discreet etc
Well at least here in Mexico works like that

Try selling a MINI Countryman in Norway. I must admit I feel sorry for the dealer who traded my CM for the A1 we now have, I tried for 4 months to sell the car, the dealer has had if for 6 months and is now asking less than what they gave me in trade.

My Volvo when I sold it after 18 months of ownership sold for 17,000 NOK less then what I paid for the car new. I paid 512,000 NOK for a V70 2.4D R Design, traded it with a dealer for 445,000 NOK, they ended up selling it for 495,000 NOK. Volvo's in Norway have rock solid residuals.

 

[sanpt7777]

Try selling a MINI Countryman in Norway. I must admit I feel sorry for the dealer who traded my CM for the A1 we now have, I tried for 4 months to sell the car, the dealer has had if for 6 months and is now asking less than what they gave me in trade.

My Volvo when I sold it after 18 months of ownership sold for 17,000 NOK less then what I paid for the car new. I paid 512,000 NOK for a V70 2.4D R Design, traded it with a dealer for 445,000 NOK, they ended up selling it for 495,000 NOK. Volvo's in Norway have rock solid residuals.

That's amazing! Here the kings are Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen and recently Hyundai which just arrived.
People believe Volvos are unreliable and will fail once a week, they also think parts are super expensive, yet they go and buy 10 year old Audis and BMWs. But Volvo? Absolutely no used car dealer wants them. I think people make a huge mistake. My dad's -new to him- S60 2.5T will keep up with a GTI in a straight line, and it has a killer audio system, good safety and super comfortable seats.
I think, if you don't have a problem with having a car for years, Volvos are bargains in Mexico.
The other day I saw an S60R in good shape with manual and low miles listed for around $5,200.00 USA dollars, or 74,000 Mexican pesos. That car was probably around $55k new. A GTI from the same year can cost around $120,000.00 pesos or 8,500 dlls. And you can bet it's been through hell and back