Ok, I'm kinda angry. When i went out to my car yesterday I discovered that the passenger side tailights had been smashed in. I live in a residence at the University of Waterloo, and I guess some stupid drunk kids found nothing better to do than to smash in my tailight. They broke both the main brake light and the reverse light, but since they broke the main one, i have to get a whole new cluster; I just got this one last summer! Anyways, does anyone have a marvelously cheap place to get these or an extra one lying around? Just as long as there aren't cracks I wouldn't care. Thanks in advance to any advice!
Nate Gundy

How bad is the damage? If it's still mostly intact, you could try repairing it first. I did a writeup some months ago on repairing about a quarter-size damaged area (cracked, smashed in slightly, some fragments missing) on the rear fog of my '91.

-- Kane

-----
Cracked lenses? Some parts chipped off? If there aren't major chunks gone, and you're not a perfectionist, it can be repaired for under $10 ...

Removal of lens units is very preferable ... much easier to work on this way.
Parts needed ... rubbing alcohol, masking tape, 2-part clear epoxy, a sharp razor blade, and translucent red spray paint (hobby shop).

First, clean the gunk off the lenses. Do this a few times over, and make sure that there's no residue left.

The epoxy I used is Devcon all-purpose 5-minute expoy. It comes with 2 tubes ... mix accordingly, and apply to the broken areas. You may need to do this several times to build it up to surface. If there are holes, if possible, put some tape on the inside of the lens - this will only be temporary, as once the holes are plugged, it can be removed.

Now fill in whatever's needed, repeating the fill-in if necessary. For the final coat is enough, use the razor blade to smooth it out before it dries. If there's too much, use the razor blade to cut off the excess. Take your time here and don't hurt yourself ... the stuff dries tough.

Now that the patching's done, mask off the area's you don't want painted ... the backup light, chrome, etc. Now spray 'em, holding at least 6"-8" away (follow the instructions on the can!). Repeat if necessary.

For a grand total of $7.28, I repaired the damaged rear fog light on my '91. Up close, it's noticable where the cracks were ... 10 ft away, it ain't.
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup, back - '86 245GL/AW70

Thanks for the information. However, there is nothing left of the reverse light, and the brake light has a hole the size of a tennis ball and many, many tiny pices scattered all over the ground. That is a great idea though...
nate

Nate -

Remember that the 1986 and on taillights are not the same as the older units. The older ones can be made to work, but it's hard (for me) to describe how I did it. This is assuming that you have a sedna, not a wagon.

Put in a WTB classified on the BB, start cruising eBay Volvo Parts & Accessories, and email Evan R. (a BBer) at evanr@pathwaynet.com to see if he has one. He dismantles bricks and may have what you want. There are other places that dismantle, too.

If you go to a junkyard, take cash. Get some things besides the tail light, like I got today a trunk latch motor, the extra noise seals for four doors (off an 89 244), a trailer hitch wiring special switch and a few other things. Make an offer they will refuse, like I said "Well, I'd like to pay $10.00 for all this." He laughed at me, so I continued, "But I think $20 is fair, what do you think?" It worked.

If fact, the did have a good LH tail light on a 240, chrome trim, that would work for you. email me direct if you hit a brick wall in your search.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

How much are you willing to spend? I have access to lots of taillights in various conditions.
--
Isaac Babcock - '83 245DL and '83 244ti, "Sounds to me like I am right.." -JakeJ

How much am I willing to spend? I was hoping I could find one for under 50 dollars. It doesn't have to be perfect, but not cracked would be nice. I don't even need a circuit board or the lights themselves...if that makes a difference. thanks again!
nate gundy

Under $50 definitely isn't a problem. What state are you in? (shipping)
--
Isaac Babcock - '83 245DL and '83 244ti, "Sounds to me like I am right.." -JakeJ

I'm in Ohio...That might cost a decent bit in shipping then...although they aren't very heavy I guess. If i could find something for under 50 dollars with shipping, that would be absolutely marvelous. Thank you so much for your help on this!
Nate Gundy

I've found several in various conditions. Some with slight cracks, some near perfect. Would you like pictures before you buy one? If so I'll see what I can do to send em your way.
--
Isaac Babcock - '83 245DL and '83 244ti, 'Sounds to me like I am right..' -JakeJ

hey, I don't know if the offer still stands, but the guy who was going to sell me the light suddenly disappeared from the earth. grr. anyways, does your offer still stand? If you'd send a few pictures and prices, i'll tell you what I'd like. Anyways, thanks again, you've been really helpful with this
nate gundy
ngundy@hotmail.com

Thanks a lot for looking, but I've had someone offer me one for only 25
dollars. I don't know if you could match that...but if you could, I'd be
open to it. Thanks again for all your help!
nate gundy

Just re-placed my own. Found them at my local salvage yard...$47 a piece

Nate:
try ebay or post a "wanted" ad in the BB's ad section.
I've got a spare pair for my 93 245 stashed for my own use..plastic is no match for teenage testosterone.
buena suerte, G.Lo.