Moisture under the side light lens

[cmon4day]

I washed my 2002 XC and when I was drying it I noticed that moisture is under the lens on the side light.  The light near the side view mirror that blinks when you press the lock button
Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Vic

[xcny]

I think I had that issue before. Didn't pay much attention to it as it goes away.

[barrysharp]

I have this problem also with my S80 MY2000 immediately after a car wash. It doesn't seem to cause any problem and as xcny has said -- the moisture does disappear after a short while. This has happened a number of times over past 2 1/2 years and so far (cross fingers) hasn't developed any side affects. I did replace one of the side indicator light bulbs a few months back.

Also, about 12 months ago I crossed a railway track and at the same time both side indicator light lenses popped out and just hung there on their wires. Apparently the plastic clips that hold the lenses in place had fractured/fatigued to the point that they couldn't hold the lenses in position anymore. The Volvo dealer said it was a common problem and promptly replaced the lenses under warranty. I have no idea if this same problem is common with XC70s.

[wiz]

cmon4day it's just a poor seal on the light. The condensation dries out as others have said. So far I have only washed the car by hand and this has happened every time. Don't know if it happens if you put the car through a car wash though... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif

[littlewaywelt]

I notice this problem after any time I wash my car (always by hand) and after any drives in the rain.  I have never had a problem with it, though.  I did have some leaking in one of the head lights, but after they replaced it the problem went away.

[wiz]

Right - I think we're all assuming that the insulation on everything else is OK except for the seal (because we're not experiencing any problems) - lets hope so!

[emil]

Talked to my Volvo service guy, apperently there is a vent on the engine side which is used to remove the moist.  I suppose it would happen automatically but in my case they had to do it manually.

[cmon4day]

Sounds like its a common problem.  It just seems to me having moisture inside where electrical components are located is not a good idea.  I'm going to mention it to the dealer next time I take my care in for service.  
I too hand wash my car.  I do not trust those automatic car washes anyway.


Vic

[wiz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (emil @ Feb. 24 2003,05:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">there is a vent on the engine side which is used to remove the moist.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I have to say I don&#39;t understand that. Do you mean to tell me that Volvo were so resigned to their inability to design a &quot;leakproof&quot; side flasher that they had to figure out a way of venting the condensation? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

[barrysharp]

My S80&#39;s side lights (which I presume are designed similarly to the XC70) don&#39;t have a rubber gasket underneath the lense body. The contact surfaces are simply plastic to plastic and therefore will provide small gaps that water can penetrate. I&#39;ve examined the side light lense and the backing that fits into the white outer lense is again plastic to plastic and provides gaps. Thus mosture/water can penetrate all the way into the bulb cavity. This aspect means that condensation is quite likely to occur within the lense.

The lense can be easily popped using a slot screwdriver bit into a slot on the lower side of the lense -- take care to ease the lense out as two integral *plastic* springs are used to secure the lense in place and can be easily broken if care isn&#39;t taken. To re-install just push the lense back in gently http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

There is no purposely designed vent on the backside of the side light lense fixture that I can see&#33;

[wiz]

At least on the MY2002, the side flasher sits in a rubber gasket, which is meant to provide a seal, but doesn&#39;t.

[emil]

Sorry&#33;&#33;&#33; I must have drunk too much coffee the other day. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif &nbsp;My comment about the vent applied to the main lamps rather than side. &nbsp;Have to admit I have not seen it but was told it exists at Volvo service center and that is how they got rid of the moisture in the lamps of my XC.

[wiz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (emil @ Feb. 24 2003,22:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sorry&#33;&#33;&#33; I must have drunk too much coffee the other day. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well at least it wasn&#39;t too much of the hard stuff&#33; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Well, I guess it&#39;s just a case of the seal .... not sealing. &nbsp;I am sure the light will be OK. &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Ron3KL]

I&#39;ve already had to replace one side indicator in my MY2002. Popped out one day. When I tried to reinstall it by pushing it back in, as gently as I could, I broke the clip as Barry indicated; the dealer replaced it under warranty.

[xcny]

Those clips are very tender. I broke one myself wile trying to put the blinker back into place. The Volvo guys replaced mine uner warranty as well.

[barrysharp]

...about those PLASTIC spring clips that secure the side lights in place.

On my S80 they (ie both of them&#33http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif simply popped out one day as I drove across a railway track(s). I can&#39;t be absolutely sure it happened as I drove across the tracks but I do recall hearing a noise of sorts -- kinda like a stone thrown up into the front wheel wells.

Anyhow, the mileage on the car was at around 22,000 miles and I&#39;m going to assume that these PLASTIC springs have a useful lifespan of about 2 years -- that is, the plastic becomes hardened or brittle enough to be subject to fracture at the slightest load/stress imposed on them.

With this in mind I intend to have them replaced regardless once again before my 4yr/50K warranty expires. This is much like having the wiper blades replaced within the first 12 months under full warranty.

My advice to ALL is to have those side light retaining springs replaced (I believe the whole assembly is replaced) at least once during the warranty period -- and if you can, as close to the end of the warranty period as is possible. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

BTW -- can others who have had the plastic springs fail post back their car&#39;s mileage at the time they failed -- be it on their own like for me or simply breaking when re-inserting the plastic springs gently as this tells me the plastic is too brittle. -thanks.

One further thought for ALL -- if one of your side light bulbs burns out and given the fragile nature of the plastic springs it would be advisable to have the dealership replace the bulb. Thus if the springs break they will be responsible for replacing the side light assembly http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

The side light assembly (that comes with a bulb) will cost &#036;43.81 + tax and my parts dept says they sell quite a few of them &#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;

[cmon4day]

[This is much like having the wiper blades replaced within the first 12 months under full warranty.]

Is this true? &nbsp;In the 1st 12 months Volvo will replace the wiper blades?

Has anyone done this?

Vic

Maybe a new thread. &nbsp; How many of your XC&#39;s rear window wiper makes such an annoying noise on the return wipe?

[cmon4day]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Test Test Test[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[barrysharp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (cmon4day @ Feb. 26 2003,20:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">[This is much like having the wiper blades replaced within the first 12 months under full warranty.]

Is this true? In the 1st 12 months Volvo will replace the wiper blades?

Has anyone done this?

Vic[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yes I have. I normally ask for new wiper blades during my scheduled oil change at around the 11-12 month. I&#39;ve done it for the last two Volvos I&#39;ve bought. It&#39;s now a tradition http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Ron3KL]

I agree with Barry - if the side indicator globe blows, get the dealer to replace it.
According to AllDataDIY, you are supposed to open the front door and put your hand down behind the front quarter panel. Now I&#39;m not a big fella and I certainly can&#39;t get my hand down there to reach the assembly easily...