Has anyone had any luck whatsoever with the Scan Tech sedan taillight assemblies, specifically the driver's side? Reason why I'm asking is that I've returned one due to a leaky brake light lens. It turns out that even the replacement one leaks in the same three spots along the top portion -- two of which are along where the lens starts to curve around. I'm debating to put a thin bead of silicone by the gaps or just drill the hole, or heck, do both.

It's amazing how the other lenses are don't leak. I'm beginning to think that the extra $30 or $40 that one saves isn't worth the hassle.

Any similar stories?
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Regards,
Eric Staufer,
'89 244DL 118k
My 240 Page

Had the same problem. I drilled a hole and placed a silicone bead. No water since then. Neither of them can bee seen from outside. I drilled two 1/8 holes under the lens.
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1987 - 240 DL 76k mi

Erik...my experience mirrors yours...the contours on the Scan Tech lenses aren't quite right, andI've had fits trying to get the parking/brake curcuit to work as the alighnemtn pins (and slots) are not the same as stock. Silicone might work for leakage ...not easy to see once installed anyway...I've decided that good used or ($gulp$) Volvo factory replacements are the only way to go...What really pxxxes me off is that I bought replacement Taiwanese lenses for my wife's '95 Ford Windstar van from a mail order house for just $35 and they're perfect in fit, performance, and appearance...why can't we get the same service for Bricks, of which there are a lot more on the road?!...good luck

I use a silicone bead around the sealed edges of each light segment. I don't like drilling the hole. I find that the silicone seals it up permanently.
Maybe you also got the wrong light housing. The 84 down 6 panel light looks
the same as the 85 newer light but the bottom corner parking light has different pin locations in each light housing. They are not interchangeable.
Plus the older housing uses a 67 bulb in that location the newer light uses
a 1157. The slight location change of the pins is only about a quarter inch
difference. Drove me crazy till I figured out that some jerk had installed
a 1980 light housing on my 86 244DL.

My aftermarket front turn signal lenses for my 86 244DL have already faded and they are only about 9 months old. I've had other issues with Scan-Tech. You can
check my post from a few days ago.

Dave 82 242ti 280k mi.

Hey Dave,

I put some silicone around the brake lens and sure enough, that worked. It was a little messy, but after cleaning it up a little bit it didn't turn out that bad. I ran a quick test under water after a few hours and it definitely stopped the leakage! Going to install it on Sat when I do a tune-up.

Thanks!
--
Regards,
Eric Staufer,
'89 244DL 118k
My 240 Page

I ordered my San Techs from Trollhatan in Baltimore, but you raise an interesting point. Aren't the '84 and older lenses supplied with Chrome Trim...as opposed to the black of the last years? I did not know that the pin/hole alignment for the parking/brake lamp changed from early to late cars, but you're right, the only way they work is by backing off the socket about a quarter inch...I finally glued it in place with a single 'dot' of silicone, but still have sporadic problems. I suppose it's possible that they sent me the wrong lenses. I learn something here every time I log in...thanks DJ

The black trim is, I thnk, for turbo models. I get what ever I can based on price. Chrome can be made black using vinyl electrical tape carefully applied and trimmed. Just as long as they match.

In 1986 Volvo changed the rear light system. Upper level brake light added. In the lower level tail light, the lower outer changed from a marker light only to a marker and brake light. Different bulb and holder, different circuit board, different cuts in the holder key slots in RH side. The upper inner which had been a brake light changed to a rear fog light with a dash switch.

The lower outers are different right to left side. The RH is such that making a pre-1986 body work, even with the correct circuit board, is a PITA. BTDT

The LH side, however, can be switched. Correct circuit board and carve off two board locating pins. CAVEAT: The lower outer bulb holders are color coded, use white on the right or weird electrical things result.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

The body design changes for the US were in 1986 but the tailight changes
actually happened in 1985. I've gotten the newer style lights from an 85
244GL that had the rear fog lights. The black trim is available with both
light versions. For example the early 90s had a 240SE which used the black
trim like a turbo or GLT. Of course my turbo has the black. My 1986
244 has chrome.

Dave 82 242ti 280k mi.

BODY DESIGN CHANGE?...I had no idea this ocurred. Are we referring to the 'shape' of the body at the tail light mountings/corners?, or to the mounting of the third/high breaklight inside ther rear window?

Hi,
I meant my comment as a general one about the US 1986 model 240 body. They
changed enough things to me that I kinda consider it a body design change.
The rear trunk, the front sheet metal including thesheet metal between the
hood and the windshield. That was minor changes to most car companies but
when you keep a design for about 11 years before that it seems like a major change.

Think of this in relation to VW. When VW changed the Beetle from the 1967
look to the 'new' 1968 body it was a major change. Volvoand VW were similiar
in that they would keep a basic design and refine it over years of production. As compared to now with all the plastic they change the look every year or so.
Happy rolling!
Dave 82 242ti 280k mi.