Each tailgate hinge also has its own ground wire to ensure good a ground without relying on the hinge pin as a conductor. If all the metal-to-metal contacts are clean the ground wires are redundant, but if you go through the harness replacement job you may as well check the hinge wires when the gate is off. Replace with test lead wire (more flexible than normal stranded wire).

FCP Groton lists the license lights at $9 each here:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo240other.htm
They do not list the tailgate harnesses, on the web site, but do sell them, and they run about $19 each side. Get the whole thing, and plug in the new wires up under your rear headliner. After all that frustrating repair work, it'll be nice to have ALL the wiring fixed correctly and it'll get you out of hot water with the ol' D-M-V.

Good luck!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 'Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!'

I have uploaded the wiring diagram for the rear lights, including the tailgate, on my web site. Perhaps you may find something useful there when planning your project, it shows the various connectors etc. pretty good.

Erling.
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My 240 Page

The repair reference Dan D. gave you is a good solution. Next time my tailgate wiring breaks, that is what I'll do. You won't need the wiring harness, just use flexible test lead wire available at most electronics parts stores by the foot. Not expensive but usually only in black and red. As for the license plate lights, you can get these at one of the on-line parts places, Groton, Parts Bin, etc. much much cheaper than at the dealer. You could try a salvage yard but many are already rusted.

And it was on a 85 245 ..... http://brickparts.d--r.com/tailgate.htm
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Dan D. '85 245 DL , '93 945 .Delanisdjd@aol.com