i wonder if ant one can help me?

got a 340 1.7 and all of a sudden the headlights dont work ive changed the dim dip relay aswell as the switch and another relay in the fuse box (silver one) and still nothing i have side lights but no dipped beam? also at the same time as them not working the high beam stalk will not stay when u select high beam it just goes back to original position presuming they are connected ? any help would be much appreciated

Bad Earth to ya headlights.I think the earth is on the inner wing somewhere.Check it and give it a wiggle.

james wrote:i wonder if ant one can help me?

Other than offering you my spare torch I'm afraid not
I once tried melting candles to the bumper but it wasn't effective as they blow out above 3 mph.

Hope you get it fixed.

I'm a bit confused by the bit "the high beam stalk will not stay when u select high beam it just goes back to original position" The stalk only has one position doesn't it, but pulling it turns on high beam (or flashes the lights if you're on sidelight) and returns to its normal position. A bracket attaching the stalk is quite weak, and are liable to breaking, so this could be your problem. Check out this post http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... ight=stalk

I'd go for it being an earth problem, the earth connection on the top or bottom screw, I forget which of the stalk bracket itself is worth checking, as the screws work loose. So take the cover off under the steering wheel, pull the centre caps out of the trim plugs and then the next part comes out. You'll see a wire going to the stalk, that would explain the high beam, however, if you've only got side lights, main beam won't stay on.

I would imagine it is the multiplug connections, which are located directly behind the fuse box, if it's a UK car, then drivers side once again underneath the steering wheel and dash area, above and to the right of the accelerator. Give those a wriggle or remove and clean each one. That should solve the headlight problem.

I had the lights drop down to side lights while driving, slowed down, quickly remembered and figured it was there, swift kick and I was able to see again! Gave them a good clean, no problem there after.

If not trace the wiring all the way to and from the lights and see if there are any melted areas or cuts. If higher performance bulbs have been fitted, these are sometimes too much for the wiring and can cause damage to it.

Pete

Had this problem many a time and its one of the 4 pin relays on the steering colum. You need to take the cover off from under the dash and there are some relays fixed to the steering shaft. Its one of them that is causing the problem most likely.

with the switch, is it struggling, eg: if you get main on it wont turn main off and you have to keep flicking it. etc? i had this porblem and removing the trim panel fixed that. seems it was pushing to hard against the switch gear or somethign affecting operation

Presumably, the headlights flash when you pull the stalk, but they won't stay on main beam? That's because the headlights aren't on, hence no latching. The stick itself doesn't latch.

Dai is almost certainly right. The main headlights relay is right about the throttle pedal. Switch the headlights on and give it a good smack....they should light up.

cheers

James

I had to botch mine once by fitting a peice of wire to bypass the relay. Not recomended as a fix but it will get you home.

Nessy's got very wet....but a good squirt with WD40, and an good smacking, and it started switching again, albeit unreliably.

cheers

James

Weirdly this has happened to my car as of tonight, yet last night it was totaly fine.

Turn the light switch, and in both positions i only get side lights, and as mentioned main-beam won't stay on.

So are we in agreement then that i just need to give something a clout, or remove bits and clean up the wiring?

Thanks

Start with smacking the headlight relay. For serious.

cheers

James

Before i'd read this thread i checked the obvious like fuses, bulbs etc.

So the relay is in the footwell?
I'm not at home now, but i have a Haynes so will look in there.

Cheers for the help.

Yup....somewhere fairly obvious behind the lower trim in the footwell.

cheers

James

The other most likely is the 3 big multi pin connectors on the bulkhead, also drivers footwell, middle connector I think, but thats what always causing my 1.7 to do this.