Driver side lights not working

Tiny
KHALIDNAZEER
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 VOLVO S60
  • 2.5L
  • 5 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
Driver side high or low beam headlight and fog light won't turn on.
Saturday, March 30th, 2019 AT 8:49 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,575 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, check fuse 22 under the dash on the left side. There are two separate fuses. One is for the left lighting and one for the right. See picture 1.

If the fuse is good, then I suggest checking the ground. There is one common ground for the left lights. See picture 2.

Here are a few links that may be helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, March 30th, 2019 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
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Thank you so much for the quick response. Yes, I checked the fuses already and they are are good. I didn't think that all the fuses would have blown since neither the high beam or low beam or the fog light works. Hopefully it's the ground like you suggested that sounds very logical and I will check that next and update you. Once again thanks for the input.
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Sunday, March 31st, 2019 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back:

You are very welcome. I mentioned the fuse since there is a different fuse for each side. Let me know what you find. Also, if you can, check to see if there is power to the light sockets using a test light. With a test light, you provide a ground, so if there is power, then you know most likely the vehicle's ground is the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, March 31st, 2019 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
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Just to help out a bit. The ground for both the light and fog lamp is located on the driver side fender. Attached image. Remove bolt and make sure it is clean and free of paint if it has been in an accident and was painted over. Hope image helps.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
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  • 8 POSTS
Thanks for the image of the ground location I appreciate it. Just to give you an update I found a crack in the headlight lens and there was water inside the unit. This is my son's car and he has the xeon lights, and they are very expensive what it 1 through eBay cost me $300 when I received it it was broken I was wondering if it was possible for me to switch out the assembly unit for regular halogen lights would that work?
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back:

The vehicle came factory with H11 hid bulbs. I don't know if anything was modified. Mechanically, I can work my way through just about anything; however, an expert on different bulb requirements, I'm not. Normally, I never make any recommendations for the purchase of parts. However, from my own personal experience (owning an A8 with similar concerns), there is a website that you can get these bulbs from much cheaper. The site has nothing to do with 2carpros. Com or me personally, so again, I am not trying to sell anything and this site isn't associated with them. I would recommend you check the site (hidnation. Com) and see what they say. There is an toll free number to call (888) 559-5846. They offer lights at reduced costs and guarantee them. Also, they are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the interchange of different bulb designs and what is needed.

Now, if the headlight assembly itself is cracked and allowing water to enter, that is a totally different issue.

Let me know if that helps and what they tell you.

Joe
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for your response. Yeah, I was looking to change the whole assembly and not just the bulbs. Now I unplugged both sockets from the bad side and the good side and put a meter on it I was receiving.0 28 on the good side and.017 on the bad side. Any insight? Turn signal works and he has automatic adjustable headlights and that mechanism works.
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome back:
One would think they would be the same. By the way, I did further research and some of these vehicles did come with the Bi-Xenon headlights from the factory. With that in mind, that is what you have to use.

I am starting to question of the moisture has caused damage to the ballast. If you switch the bulbs, does the non working one work in the opposite side? Have you done any checking on the ballast?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
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No I did not check the ballast, but I did unplug the working light and plug the bad light into that socket to no avail. But I'm still questioning discrepancy in the voltage from one side to the next.
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
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I tested the voltage on the good side and got.02 8 I tested it on the bad side and got.0 17 ijump the power from the good to the bad and got.022 when I checked the bad side. Any input?
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 AT 6:06 PM
Tiny
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Welcome back:

Lower voltage can be the result of a corroded connection, damaged wire, ballast, central electronic module connector, and so on. In this case, I would trace the wire back to see where the power loss occurs. As far as the.022 vs the.028, most likely that is added resistance from the jumper wire.

I attached a picture of the headlamp wiring schematic for you to review. I had to break it into three parts so you could read it. I did overlap the pics in order so you can follow them.

Let me know if it helps.

Joe
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Monday, April 15th, 2019 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for your feedback I kind of figured I was getting resistance from the jumper wire because of voltage wasn't that much off. And I'm kind of leaning towards the c e m being the problem, could it be possible that one part of the cem is damaged allowing everything else connected to it to work except for that one headlight? The auto adjusting headlight mechanism works and the turn signal works. No high beam or low beam.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 6:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Welcome back:

I would say it could be the problem, but I would check for power there and not at the light socket. It honestly could be a bad connection at the CEM. I would inspect the connector and make sure there isn't a problem there.

From past experience, I have found the pins in the connectors corrode and in some cases break. The result is not enough or no power where it needs to go. I don't recommend arbitrarily replacing the CEM without confirming an issue. Also, if you plan to inspect the CEM, I do recommend disconnecting the battery prior to disconnecting it. Also, don't reconnect the battery until the plug is reconnected to the CEM.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for your help you've been giving me good solid guidance I appreciate it. I will keep you posted thanks.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are very welcome. I just don't want you to replace parts if they aren't bad. Take care and I will watch for the outcome.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 10:54 AM

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