Hello! I'm new to this forum and a quick search didn't turn up an answer to my problem. I drive a 1988 240 GL with 256K miles and I recently had new tail lights installed as well as the circuit lamp boards. The tail lights were operating fine for a few weeks but now when the lights are on (headlamps or parking lamps) only my third brake light comes on. Neither the right nor the left get brighter when the brake pedal is depressed. I checked the bulbs and they seem to be fine although the circuit boards seem to have a bit of play in them, that is, they don't sit perfectly on the tail lamp assemblies.

I know tail lights are a frustrating issue and I don't possess much skill at self repairs, but can someone offer some recommendations. Is this fuse related or more serious?

I have a similar problem and just posted on it. Somebody suggested that the pedal switch which trigers the brake light may need to be replaced. I haven't checked yet, you need a voltmeter for that from what I understand.
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'89 244DL M47 158K miles

I just had to do a pedal switch a month ago on our '91 240. It's NOT any fun to get at, and I'm glad it was an automatic at that- on a 5-speed car it's almost impossible to get the thing out (That's what I first tried to get the used one out of, a 5-speed in a junkyard).
Anyway, if the 3rd brake light works, it's not the switch (or the fuse). The two taillights going out can of course be a problem with both rear bulbs, which has happened before with the lousy leaky taillights on these cars.... but it's more likely to be the bulb warning sensor. This is a red cylindrical can up under the left side of the dash, that all the light wiring goes through. IT's where the single wire from the brake pedal switch splits to two wires going to the two lights. The failure of both lights at the same time indicates that it's this thing. IT can be opened up and resoldered internally, as with a relay, or the thing can be replaced at minimal cost, with one from a junk. Locate yours under the dash before going to the junkyard. Also, a lot of places that service Volvos will save these. They don't fail often, but when you need one, you need one.
Good luck with it.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

Checked the ground?

Erling.
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My 240 Page