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Over the years we have had our brick, occasionally a taillight would “go out”, a commonality I think. It seemed the most common one to go out was one of the lowest bulbs, the brake lights.
Recently, that has been an issue far “too much”, so I contacted my mechanic to talk about it. Usually I just take care of the problem myself, either tighten it up or replace it. Mechanic, Dave, says ‘Let's switch that bulb to the top, where that “fog light” is and that light put lowest as a 'normal tail light.’ It’s legal and it “used to be” that way with older models.
So it’s done, Dave did them both in just a few minutes, works great and I actually like it in that it seems easier to be seen by anyone behind us. Of course we don’t have that “bright fog light” now, but the exchange is worth it,IMO of course. Dave says those 2 bulbs now should last much longer, long as the seals stay tight.
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Hi anthony2,
Thank you for the illuminating post.
This is your 1989 Volvo 240 wagon you mean, yes? The 1989+ 240 sedan and wagon has the 1157 dual-filament for the factory left and right brake light.
On 240 wagons, it is the bottom, red lens and reflector or bulb chamber, left and right. On 240 sedans, and I apply this to the wrap-around six-panel or 1982+ or so, yet should be the same for sedan and coupe taillights, as the lower, outer red lens reflector or bulb chamber.
In 1989+, the normal brake light on the 240 taillight assembly red lens bulb chamber is an 1157 bulb that serves as the single right and left rear tail light. (Position, marker, running, parking lamps or lights).
Did your mechanic preserve the function for these rear running lamps? The socket holds an 1157 base only. Whether or not you preserved current to the normal factory position for both filament, in my not so recent understanding, nearly all U.S. states and all Canadian provinces, plus we may have national motoring codes that apply, like US DOT and Transport Canada, and they all require at least a left and right position (marker, running, parking lights or) lamps at all four corners.
Also, it is a matter of safety to have running lights at all four vehicle corners for the motorists and pedestrians around you (and your head lamps). In low light and night time driving, like when you see a well marked and illuminated over the road tractor-trailer, the lights give dimension, a sense of the space (or volume) the vehicle occupies as it moves (through the night).
You can restore used taillight assemblies or buy new OEM from the dealership (Tasca Volvo) or the Estonian tail lamp assemblies.
There is a recent resurrected thread here on the current active brickboard.com index:
Rear Tail Lights--A definitive answer ]
https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=1427308&show_all=1
You'll read our Uncle Art's entry where he mentions drilling holes allowing water in the bulb or reflector chamber to drain.
Some folks will also use a forgiving adhesive sealant or will use some different form of gasket to replace the open cell taillight foam gasket that does not seem to seal so well. You use a forgiving adhesive sealant in teh events you have separate the foam from the taillight assembly and the car body.
Also, like Art says in the reference above, and as many of us have done, we've run stranded or (better) braided copper (or tinned copper) conductor (wire) with a durable insulation to wire up each light bulb holder. This seems the more industrial solution; certainly if the Volvo 240 remains outdoors.
Also, if you have the later six-panel wrap around sedan or coupe tail lights that use the dual-filament 1157 bulb. 1987 or 1988+? Not sure. The white 1157 bulb holder goes on the right, lower, outer position and the left, lower, outer, bulb holder is black.
A new set of Volvo OEM made in 2002 Volvo 240 taillights I pulled from a 1988 Volvo 240 sedan.
With a new red lens, why I asked the forum some months ago. Have another set of Volvo OEM taillights that also need one red brake light lens, a set of the early Estonian 240 taillights from the junkyard (incorrect used butyl tape between the lens and reflector body), well, I dunno. Some sanding, some cleansing of the oily grime for the adhesive, some glue (something better than UV-resistant Goop [Marine, RV]] anyone?)
I used UV-resistant Goop (Marine, RV) to hold the the plastic trim to the bottom of the 240 doors. I may try the 3M tape this time after a good cleaning.
May be time for an LED conversion? We'll see.
Else, well, I dunno.
Sneezin' Greetinz'!
Volvo 240 Taillight Foibled MacDuff.
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Anthony2,
I did not think of it in my earlier post to you. And it may take more modification to the rear tail lights so you have rear right and left tail lights.
I mean the sedan and coupe tails. Not the 240 wagon tails as I guess you mention here.
On the six panel tail lights, I mean the wrap around 1982+ six panel tail lights, the center red lens, low, below the white reserve lamp lens, serves as a reflector through the diffuser when lights falls on that red lens from the rear of the Volvo 240.
So, if you look closely at the Valeo lights, not so much on the early 80s Cibie lights, from the interior side, you may see marks that show the cut out for the single 5W black bulb holder. With some precision, you can convert that position for your rear running lights. Use Volvo 5W bulb holders.
If you mean your 1989 Volvo 240 wagon, well, enabling a dual filament 1157 bulb in the top red lens bulb, or reflector, chamber, normally the rear red fog light, will take some modification effort, yet it could work.
Or use the dual filament 1157 bulb in the lower red lens position, that you have presumably disabled as a rear left and right brake light, with the dual filament bulb holder, so long as only the 5W rear parking light circuit in the bottom red bulb chamber of your Volvo 240 taillights illuminate with the light switch in parking light position.
How are your headlights? Have these been replaced or repaired? On all Volvo 240s, with the large square plastic head light assemblies, the adhesive joining the clear head lamp lens to the reflector body has failed. You find this out by:
- Looking at the tail lights? Are the fogged or yellowed?
- Better, gently pull on the center bottom edge of the clear lens? Does it pull away from the reflector body?
If yes, repair or replace. This concern is a safety issue for Volvo 240 owners.
Questions?
Hope that helps.
cheers,
MacDuff.
--
We shall not tolerate nor abide unqualified pronouns beginning sentences. We could have written "This is ...," yet we qualify the pronoun, and reference the original subject or topic, by filling in the what to which the pronoun makes reference, "This concern is ..."
The Volvo 240 Technical Communication School.
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Yes it's our '89 245 wagon. I did not watch Dave do this, all i know is he has done this many times for other customers. IF I were to be cited for anything 'improper' I'll take the ticket to him, but I dont feel concerned. As long as its legal and it works , that's fine with me.
I will say that's a long and extensive reply post from you for something so quick and easy. I will however talk with Dave to be absolutely sure the 'fix' is all legal. I will also say I do like the brake lights being at the top .
BTW I take very good care of our brick, including the clarity of the lights. I either polish them or replace them if polishing doesn't work. I am almost fanatical about even little things. I had ALL the window scrapers replaced. A bit pricy but worth it. Any and all leaks get my attention quickly.
I guess you may not have seen my 'motto' that once in awhile when I post it, goes like this: 'If it isn't broken, replace it anyway" One can detect signs of aging and possible failure if you keep an eye out. I recall a few years ago I had the ol' trailing arm bushings replaced (with polys) so I had them look under the entire car and had them replace any and all bushings , front and rear, most with polys. I do keep an eye on them still.
I have IPDs heavy duty anti-sway bars, and I watch those bushings also and replace them ocasionally just to keep them 'fresh' and so much more; not too far back, brake pads getting a bit low, got new ones, and I bought all brand new discs,'new' rebuilt calipers and replaced the short 'rubber' brake lines with stainless steel ones, new master cylinder (it wasn't leaking just decided to go "all the way"). I may overlook something occasionally, but eventually I 'catch up'.
Oh, Dave has a supply of tail light assemblys, quite a few look almost brand new.. and his prices are very reasonable.
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Hi anthony2,
Sorry to reply with a post that is long and perhaps a little more urgent than necessary. I get a little concerned when it comes to motoring safety.
Excellent you take such good care of your Volvo 240! Mine are wanting for care, and other than outdoor crappy, trashy apartment parking lot repairs, I'm not able to take on them 1990 Volvo 240 Wagon rear wheel bearings. Right rear hub moans.
My primary concern for you and your Volvo 240 Wagon is whether you have rear position (running, parking) lights in addition to the now moved rear brake lights to the top red lens rear fog light position?
The top red lens, on the final Volvo 240 Wagon wrap around four-panel tail lights, is fitted for a single-filament bulb holder, the same used for the turn signal and reverse lights. These bulb holders use the SAE 1156 (I believe) single-filament bulb.
I can see moving the brake light 12VDC+ conductor to the top Volvo 240 wagon rear four-red lens fog light position termination. You can continue to use the single filament bulb holder.
I imagine Dave, then, soldered the +12VDC parking (position, running) lamp conductor directly to the dual filament bulb holder for the 5W position? I'm uncertain, yet you may be able to do this without causing a short.
So, do you have rear parking (position, running) lights on your 1989 Volvo 240?
Also, should you have issues with water filling the bottom or lower bulb reflector chamber, some of us have drilled small weep holes to drain the rear tail lights on both 240 sedan and wagon.
Also, if original to the car, if not already, the clear reverse lamp lens loses adhesion to the tail light reflector body. You may be getting leaks through their.
Else, it can help to reposition the tail lights, use two stacked, if flattened from age, yet still flexible, foam gaskets. Just be careful when tightening the rear sedan or wagon tail lights. More so if they are stamped Valeo on the lens.
Questions?
Hope that helps.
Back to getting the next job in the land of truth, justice, and some way.
Clark Kent with Switzerland Dreams
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