What model years had the 5 panel tail lights? I can't remember the span of years.

1980-1984 I believe.
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1993 Volvo 240 Wagon

The five-panel wrap around tail lights with the galvanized steel rail "circuit board?" There were made by Hella and maybe one other company.

Maybe more like 1978-79 to 1981-82?

Before the tail lights were the same as the 140s on 240. The flat four panel tail lights.

In 1981-1982-1983 came the six-panel wrap around tail lights with the flexi circuit board.

And we really love them flexi circuit boards!!!!!!!!!

Hope that helps.

Questions?

Buttermilk on Friday Evenings

My US model '82 242 had the 5 panels with the steel rail circuits. I believe the change in the US to 6 panels corresponded to the bumper change - which occurred in '83. Don't know what year they moved from the 'flat' rear tail light to the 'wrap-around' 5 panel.....

Edit - a bit of research helps -- looks like the 5 panels were fitted from '79-'84 with the switch to 6 panels in '85.
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82 242 5.0L; '10 Cayman S; '15 Honda Fit

the galvanized steel rail "circuit board?"

the cat's pajamas

only problems ever...1)pitting...just move the contact to a newer unpitted location...2)oxidation...1000grit light polish...diecletric grease.

I dunno hhwhut to call the steel rail curcuit board thingies on the older tail lights. Brake light power rail? Or a brake light bus on the tail light assembly.

I only lament missing the reliability of them tail lights.

There was Hella, Cibie, and Valeo that made Volvo 240 tail light assemblies. Any others?

The flexi circuit boards on the wrap around six panels tail lights are the bothersome ones.

Certainly for the brake light filaments, and (tell you) hhhwhut not, of the brake light bus, or power rail, as part of the flexi circuit boards.

They always seem to fail where the two contacts for the brake light filament meats the flexi circuit board. I've flowed a little solder for a better mechanical interface between the bulb holder contacts and the bulb holder.

Remember, folks, in them sedans, with the six panel wrap around tail lights and the dual filament brake lights ....

Black dual filament brake light bulb holder left.

White bulb holder Right.

See your later model Volvo owner manual.

Better Writing About Owld Volvo Repair and Stuff Than Actually Doing it Sometimes, Like Today.

Cheers,

Dud.