Can anyone offer any advice with a problem with the pop-up headlamps on my father\'s Volvo 480?

Basically, they won\'t popup. We\'ve so far managed to eliminate the fuse, the relay - it works fine in another 480 he owns (don\'t ask), although the relay from the other car doesn\'t cure this one - and, I think, the motors.

If the headlamps are wound up manually even partially then when the headlamps are switched on the motors raise the lamps fully and then immediately drop them back down again. The headlamps themselves work fine whenever switched on.

Is there some kind of non-functioning sensor somewhere that should raise the lamps and then stop the motors when they reach the top of their travel?

The local Volvo franchise doesn\'t very interested in helping (although they were keen to sell us a newer car) so any ideas from anyone here would be most gratefully received.

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Suffering withdrawal symptoms here in the south. Twelve months ago down our road we were entertained by the antics of motorists coping with a significant snowfall.
Example: drivers who had to stop halfway up a hill due to lack of foresight, and trying to re-start. Nothing serious you understand, no basis for Schadenfreude, just good entertaining stuff. I wonder if lessons were learned?
The lesson I learned (yep, the 'old blowoff' allegation is true): I left my car in the garage.
Oz (as was) Read more

Out of the following in your own opinion which is the best new car buy and why?

Corsa 1.0
Fabia 1.2
Polo 1.2
Yaris 1.0 or 1.3
Fiesta 1.25

Looking for something cheap to run and insure, ie insurance GP 1 or 2, 50 mpg, cheap to buy, tax and reliable. And where would be the best place to get a GREAT deal with no part ex?

auto

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Bad news for anyone who currently has an order for a new factory order Stilo with Jamjar.com. Just spoken to a supervisor / group leader there and Fiat have changed the specs and all the colours and the interior colours of the cars. My order was for a metallic navy blue car with a Blue Doria cloth interior with factory order options of a FF alarm and radio buttons on the steering wheel. JJ has off their own back decided to order me a different colour that even they do not know what it looks like and told me the blue interior has been discontinued and again off their own back have ordered me a black interior, as well as this they had no records of the options i had requested when i originally ordered the car. More bad new...... Jamjar have no idea what colour Vitality blue looks like, so I rang Fiat UK who beleive it or not have no idea what it looks like either, as they do not have 2004 model year brochures and are not expecting any until March at hte earliest Fiat UK also have no idea what the optional grey interiorr looks like as an alternative to the black I have been "informed" the car will come in ( which I will immediately reject !)Fiat also tell me they are not making any stilos until late February so i dont know how JJ plan to deliver the car by March 1st ! Has anyone any advice for me because I am no longer getting a car to the spec, or colour or trim I ordered....Help..
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Sent from my sister in Qatar:

Fifteen New Regulations in the GCC States
Registry of Motor Vehicle's 2004 Handbook

1. Turn signals will give away your next move. A confident GCC driver avoids using them.

2. Under no circumstance should you maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, because the space will be filled in by somebody else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

3. The faster you drive through a red light, the less of a chance you have of getting hit.

4. Warning! Never come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will result in your being rear-ended.

5. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork . With no insurance, the other operator has nothing to lose.

6. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a vigorous, foot massage as the brake pedal violently pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to strengthen your
leg muscles.

7. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It's a good way to prepare other drivers entering the highway.

8. Speed limits are arbitrary figures; given only as a suggestion and are not enforceable during rush hour.

9. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.

10. Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire. This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.

11. Learn to swerve abruptly without signaling..

12. It is tradition to honk your horn at cars in front of you that do not move three milliseconds after the light turns green.

13. To avoid injury in the event of a collision or rollover, it is important to exit your vehicle thru the windshield right away. Wearing your seat belt will only impede your hi-velocity escape from danger.

14. Remember that the goal of every GCC driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.

15. In the GCC , 'flipping the bird' is considered a polite salute. This gesture should always be returned.

16. Keeping to the center of the road while rounding a curve will prevent you from over-steering and possibly leaving the roadway.

17. Keeping your cell phone up to your right ear while driving will enable you to "flip the bird" with your left finger so it is more easily visible.

Thank You,
The Ministry of Motor Vehicles and Transportation.


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