Howdy,

I responded to my own post about this, but didn't see it get bumped up...

My '91 740 is blowing it's brake light/shift-lock fuse every few days. Besides being dangerous, it's annoying.

The car is just about due for a check up with someone (know a good mechanic in Essex county, NJ?), but this seems like something that could run up a big fat labor bill; tracing wires from the fuse box to the trunk, taking apart the shift mechanism, etc. etc.

Today I got as much of the center console out as I could and inspected the shift-lock solenoid and any other wiring I could find in the area. The wiring on the solenoid looks good, and from what I could see around the shifter area (I could not figure out how to remove the plastic shroud that covers the switches that sense you're in park or neutral). I used a dentist's mirror to look up under there, and I don't see anything loose or frayed.

I removed and inspected the taillight assemblies and did not see anything suspicious there. I traced the harness out of the trunk as far as I could and it looks pristine.

The only thing I did find was a bit of chafing on the hot wire for the third brake light. I could not show continuity on it at the damaged area with a meter, but I taped it up anyhow. It had been rubbing on the neutral spade lug. Maybe that was it...

If not, what else can I look at? How do I take apart the shift assembly? I've got a Chilton's, but it stinks. What are these "Bentley" manuals I've seen mentioned here?

Any help appreciated. It's my first Volvo, and the last time I owned a car was over six years ago, so I'm a bit rusty...

Thanks!