These back lights are gonna drive me crazy. Discovered a loose red wire was the cause of inoperable left tail lights, a jiggle fixed it. But now the brake light on that side won't come on. And somehow, while fiddling back there, I've rendered the backup lights inoperable on both sides. Fuses and bulbs are OK. Any ideas before unavoidable inspection tomorrow (Monday)? Why would both backup lights stop working at once? And does anyone know which color wire feeds the left brake light?

((Michael, thanks for your guidance on swapping circuit boards. But when I hooked up the old one (with the wire harness and the ground wire, but not installing the assembly on the car), no lights worked at all so I guess it's no good.))

Thanks
Cal

Cal -

>>And does anyone know which color wire feeds the left brake light? <<

Left brake light gets a yellow-green, according to page 26 of Volvo Service Manual, WDM for 1987-88 240.

There appear to be three connectors, located just beyond the driver's left toe, that have wires that go to the tail light units. Two are 6-position units and one is a 9-position unit. Have a look there, in addition to checking out connections on the tail light itself. Corrosion, oxidization, water leak messes, who knows.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Just had this very same issue myself, except it was first my reverse lights and then my fogs and then my brakes on the left side. Discovered that the brass strips on the taillight connector (the little shelf that sticks out that you plug into your plug) and the connectors in the plug where burned and rusty. Also, one of the brass strips on the connector was torn off the shelf and pushed back.

I got some brake cleaner, steel wool, and elmers glue (it is just what I had handy) and cleaned all the contacts and glued the brass strip back on. Now everything works as it should. I think that mine were corroded since my taillight has a crack and moisture got in there.

hth,

Jack