I just bought my first Volvo. I'm encountering several problems with the lights. 1) the back up lights do not work - the neutral safety switch is working properly. 2) When my headlights are on and I apply the brakes one of my brake lights goes out, also when my headlights are on I have a constant "reminder" light on my instrument panel. 3) When I driving without my headlights on and I apply the brakes, that darn light comes on again on the instrument panel. 4) Rear fog light? only one side works? the owners manual says that correct but why? Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.

Rick

It sounds like you've only really got two problems--an issue with the reverse lights and a bad tail light.

I'm not sure what can be done to fix the first problem. Any number of things can be bad, from the bulbs or contacts to some connection underneath the car. The reverse lights on my '89 haven't worked in a few years. I changed the bulbs and checked the contacts and stuff, but that didn't fix it. I think the problem is a short somewhere under the car (it seems to be a semi-common problem in 240s).

For the tail light, first check the bulbs. If they've good, then take the holder all the way out, clean the contacts, and put it back in. (I replaced a bulb a few weeks ago, and a bad connection caused the tail light to work "occasionally"--sometimes it would light up, and sometimes it would be out. Taking it out again and putting it back in fixed the problem.) If that doesn't solve your problem, then you're looking into wiring issues--bad circuit board, loose wire, something like that. Other guys on here, a Bentley Bible, and a voltmeter will probably be your best friends in that case.
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'89 244 GL -- 103,XXX miles (see profile for info on car)

The bulb out lamp on the dash is sensitive to imbalance, like Randy and Klaus explained. In the 91, it monitors three systems, the tail lights, the headlamps and the brake lights.

If the light comes on when you put on the parking lamps, the tail lights are being indicted.

If when you rotate the knob to the headlamp position, key on, the warning light shows then, its the headlamps getting the blame.

If it comes on with the lamp switch off when you step on the brake, ... well you get the picture.

Guessing you have a sedan, I agree with Randy's evaluation of the problems generated by that flexible circuit board, with an additional piece of advice: don't replace the taillamps with the temptingly cheap aftermarket units. Better to drill holes and let out the water if they leak, wire around the intermittent contacts, or spring for Volvo (Cibie) replacements. Regardless, you will be spending more time than you thought working on those rear lights. But the car is worth it.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Rick,
Easy fix... buy two new bulbs and replace the brake lights. Clean the contacts and the seat before putting the new bulbs in. The idiot light comes on when there is an electrical imbalance in the circuit. But only for the brake lights.

There is only one fog light, period. That way, people behind you know you are not driving with your left foot on the brake.

The bulbs are probably gone for the back up lights, if not, clean the seats first and the bulb base and try again.

BTW, never buy bulbs at the dealer. They charge 10 times more than Autozone or Checker.

Klaus
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95 854T, 88 780, 88 245

The plastic "piece of junk" circuit board that Volvo uses for tail lights is the worst part of the car. (My small opinion only.) I usually run as is until I start having trouble. Then I rip them out, cut the wires to the terminal block, add a nice piece of wire to extend it, then solder each wire to the metal terminal on each bulb holder that contacts the circuit board. The problems go away. Just be sure to trace each wire properly to get it in the right place.

Randy
'90 245, '87 244, deceased: '81 244, '87 244, '81 244