Hello All -

First of all, this board is a fantastic resource. Folks give great advice.

So, is it fairly easy to replace a left rear brake light bulb? Any reason why they burn out ALL THE TIME!?!?!

Also, the engine is sort of slow to turn over. It always cranks but sometimes it takes a time or two. And I'm in the middle of a Georgia summer so it's definitely not cold! I cleaned the throttle body so that shouldn't be the issue at this point. Maybe just a bad battery?

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated!

I once read that although most batteries fail in the winter, most of the damage is done during the summer.

I like to check battery water level, clean the battery tray, charge the battery on an automatic charger, and clean the connections spring and fall.

If you add a lot of water, you should give it a good charging but do not be surprised if the battery does not recover from this maladie.
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2 8s & 2 7s 600,000 miles total

I thought I was burning bulbs, too, but I noticed that sometimes the light would come back on if I wiggled the lamp or the assembly. It turned out to be corrosion (or something) on the four-receptacle rear light fixture. I took it out, removed the bulbs, cleaned all contacts with emery cloth and alcohol, coated with a mist of Tri-Flo, then re-installed. That was six months ago...and no problem since.
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting, red calipers) (92 940GLE)

I had a similar experience with a rear lamp. Have replaced lamps too frequently, but this last time, took the lamp out and went to buy another. The shop was out of the one I needed so I went back home and put the lamp in just until I could find another. It worked fine and has been working for 3 months now. I didn't clean it off but did handle the lamp at its base. Guess the sweat from my frustration at having to replace the lamps so many times cleaned the contact. From now on, I will clean a lamp base before replacing. By the way, the lamps are very easy to replace. Just open the "door" that houses the lamps, pull the connector out, and replace the lamp. The visual directions in the manual are more than adequate to walk you through this.

As far as the slow start is concerned, my wife is famous for leaving the air conditioner on when she parks. Consequently, it's on when she starts up. Have noticed she sometimes has a "little" trouble starting if she doesn't remember to kick-off the a/c before turning the engine over. Since you live in GA, do you park it with a/c on? If so, may want to turn it off to decrease total amp/volt draw on start-up.

Good luck.

Thanks All, for the suggestions.

I'm going to check and see if it looks like a corrosion/loose fitting issue. Atleast the little suckers are only 3 bucks. I'm liking my Volvo again!

I've only replaced one rear brake bulb on an 850 wagon and it
was easy.

I believe the left bulb is used for the rear fog lamp. Do you
have the rear fog lamp on (there is a switch on dash to left of
steering wheel for it). I occasionally see european cars driven
around with their rear fog lamp on and it dawns on me that many
owners don't know they have one.