Volvo Repair: Volvo XC70 bi-xenon lamp fix, volvo xc70, 2004 volvo xc70

Question
Mark,
Question from a fellow AllExperts Expert...

My wife just called from out-of-state where she has our 2004 Volvo XC70 wagon with bi-xenon headlamps.  One lamp is out, and is reported on the dashboard indicator.  She stopped into a Volvo/Suburu dealership she had called when the service dept said it would take 5 minutes to replace the bulb.  

She just cried, very upset, when after looking at it, suddenly pronounced a transformer part dead and the entire job would be about $1000, because the transformer for the bi-xenon headlamps costs nearly $700.  

We bought this car second-hand, in pristine condition, with the original sticker which has the bi-xenon option at $500.

I told her to walk away, get the car home, and we'll take it to a local Volvo dealer.  

Any advice, or opinion?  Can one bulb out really  be a $1000 job?  How is the transformer working for one headlamp and not the other?

Thanks,
Stu  

Answer
  Stu, each headlamp has it's own transformer. They are not cheap, but that quote seems high to me also. Look after market, look used for an entire headlamp assembly. Have some one you trust test it first to be sure. Transformers are only wire wound over steel/iron and seldom fail. Other pieces in the system yes, but not "usually" that one.

Happy New Year!

Mark