1992, 240 sedan. The brake lights work, until the headlights are turned on, then they do not. the running lights do work, though it appears the outside (brake) light is brighter than the other running light on both sides,the 3rd brake light works in either situation. there was water in one of the rear light housings that I drained out....

As james_a_sousa recommends.

I'll also add the lower, outer brake light / parking light red lens chambers have special bulb holders.

These bulb holders are left (as you sit in the seat) and right-side specific. You'll see two contacts that contact (ahem) the bulb base to provide +12 VDC power to the filaments. One for the running light and one for the high current and heavier brake light filament in side the bulb.

On the left side is a black dual filament bulb holder in the lower, outer brake light / parking light red lens chamber.

On the right side is a WHITE dual filament bulb holder in the lower, outer brake light / parking light red lens chamber.

Some may swap these and some may swap with the single filament bulb holder used in the turn signal / reverse / and rear red lens fog lamp. I've also seen some put the small single (inner most, lower) small running light bulb holder in the other bulb holder positions.

Correct this soonest, else you can cause heat damage to the reflector housing material the bulb holder secures to. You can also cause problems with the flexi-circuit board where the bulb bulb holder contacts make (ahem) contact with the bare copper area on the flex bulb when you install and insert the bulb holder. Also, as with these issues, the excess and prolonged current draw can cause heat where the wire harness secures to the flexi-circuit board.

See you owner manual for more information on bulb model using both Euro and US bulb models and affirmation the white bulb holder goes to the right (as you sit in the car) lower / outer brake light / running light combo.

Info written by Art in this Turbobricks thread may help you:

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=237928

Example image of the inner most lower running light bulb holder and bulb for your 1992:



Example image of the single filament bulb holder used in turn signals, reverse lights, and the rear red fog lamp:




Example image of the LEFT, black lower, outermost red lens brake light / running light dual filament bulb holder. Note the three contacts. Two for the +VDC filaments (running and brake) and one for - (negative) -0VDC return.



Example image of the RIGHT, WHITE lower, outermost red lens brake light / running light dual filament bulb holder. Note the three contacts. Two for the +VDC filaments (running and brake) and one for - (negative) -0VDC return.



If you do not have your owner manual for your 1992 Volvo 240, see here:

https://www.volvocars.com/us/own/owner-info/owners-manuals

Questions?

Hope that helps.

Dud.
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Great post explaining bulb holders - I mentioned not swapping bulb holders because I almost ruined one of the taillights by changing bulb holders and melting it!

Sorry that I did not mention that.

Swapping parts is a common troubleshooting step - BUT it has its dangers!

Sheesh! You should see this collection of 240 sedan tail lights I have.

The plastic is melted around the brake light / running light combo where the bulb holder secures in the bayonet-like mount. Many are so screwed that I have it may be impossible to repair.

Since 2008 or so I've had to go through like maybe three pair of sedan tail lights and one or two of the wagon tail lights. These are all OEM.

Wash them out, mend the flexi circuit boards, try to find bulb holder that they themselves are not all wopper-jawed some how.

Also, as it fills with water in the rains, drilled small holes in the red brake light lens at the bottom of it right near the weld to join the lens and the reflector body.

These people will put in dual-filament bulb, two different kinds where the little alignment pins are at right angle versus the spec dual filament bulbs. Or they use single filament bulb holder with dual filament bulbs. I have a few sets of sedan tail lighta nd wagon tail light left and right on reserve. I've had to coat the red brake light lens in the UV resist Goop (RV or MARINE versions - Walmart no longer has it on the shelves it appears). Slowly the goop gets cloudy.

Yet I keep them clean and bright and clear. I'd treat the flexi boards to tail light bulb holder contacts clean with DeoxIT-D grease or, not so recently, the SuperLube dielectric silicon grease.

When the prior owner of the junk yard or one of mine uses the wrong bulb, the heat cracks the top of the brake light red lens chamber. Opens right up and lets the rain fall in. The crack can span the weld between reflector chamber roof into the red lens or the break light. Oh, it's awful.

So, on one car I have a 1982 Hella six panel wrap around driver side. It has the Valeo flexi circuit board for the dual running / brake light. Some filing and the bulb holder goes in. The other three, across the two sedans (1991 & 1992) are Valeo. Not as well made, yet work. I stacked the foamy seals two layers deep and that seems to help.

I have extra sedan and wagon tail lights as I mean to install LED bulbs into them. Yet now we can get the form factor bulbs as LED versions. Yet I was planning in increasing the brake light, turn signal (front and rear), and reverse lights to be brighter. Much, much brighter.

I was also planning on running a braided heavy copper alloy cable as a ground loop from the battery through the body, though the trunk, and back again. That suff is sort of pricey now.

So, with these wrap around six panel tail lights, always good to have spares prepped in the event the mounted one fill with water and gold fish take up residence!












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Clean all contacts.

Do not swap bulb holders around.

Check grounds, even in the front for the headlights.