...Or should I just make one? The wires for the tail lights snap in via a plastic connector to the driver's side taillight. Is there a wiring harness that snaps in between, like in other cars, or do I have to rig up something different? I would like to connect the wires in that spot, and just route it out thru the trunk while towing rather than do some drilling. What solutions have you guys found? Thanks a ton!
--
*Jakob Lunden* 1984 242 DL, transitioning from beater to classic, 1979 242 GT improving with age, 1968 Saab 96, impulse purchase

I made one.

I used 3 relays to feed power to the appropriate trailer harness wires. The relays get their power from the heavy gauge 12V line I have going to the trunk to feed the power amp. They are triggered by the brake, or tail, or turn signal circuits. This avoids overstressing those circuits and the relay coils don't draw enough current to trigger the BFS.

Cost was maybe $20 including the 4-pin trailer plug and wiring. I get Bosch 12V, SPDT relays from Parts Express at about $2 ea. Sockets for these are another $1.50.

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&DID=7&CATID=47&ObjectGroup_ID=31

--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F, dtr's 83-244DL B23F, 'my' 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, hobbycar 77 MGB, and a few old motorcycles)

Hi Volvodad!

You gave me the same trick a few weeks ago, and thanks again...
I even bought relays you know... but finally I tried my own wiring and it's actuating right :-)

Two different solutions (and even more, no?) for the same problem, isn't it nice?

By friends
Gobs

I've just put a tow-bar (from the Volvo dealer) on my 240 Wagon. And yes they sell a harness but not a "snap-in" one (in France for the least). Because of the burning-bulb idiot-light you must reach the font connexions under the dash board... And it costs a lot of $$$$!

So I install myself a home made harness, that actuates nice:
- For the trailor tail lights, I took light from the plate lights (rear inside the trunk, not connected to the idiot light)...
- Trailor turning signals light from R / L TS from the car (rear inside the trunk)...
- Trailor stop lights... Huuuuu! I went across the car under the carpets to reach the brake-light switch at the rear of the brake pedal (I guess it's a blue/red wire; the green/red one feeds the +12V to the switch) which connect "stop on" to this &"@#簧#% "idiot light system"... As it's a long wire take a great diameter (1.5 mm at the min.)...
For other part, don't forget to increase the fuses from 8A to 10A, as when you actuate the lights they are more to consume.
- Then I drilled a large hole in the bottom of the trunk, put the harness through to the connector and made a seal with silicone paste.

Not complicated. Just time...

Fot this wiring job the Volvo dealer requested 2,5 hours at 75$ each, plus the buying of the original Vovo harness (about 60$)!!!!!
Sure, I spent about 5 hours, but it's not waste time.

Good luck,
and may be other ideas coming...
Gobs