brake failure light-'81-240-wagon

[arete]

My brake failure light went from dim red to bright red and constantly stays on but in checking with the pads, the master cylinder and braking ability, there is no problem.
(Thanks Leo for your last suggestion)

[masere]

Take out the bulb and dont drive too fast.

[Kreg]

I have a 93 240 sedan. When I was having electrical problems on my rear tail lights, I did the following: removed the bulbs and bent the prongs on the bulb housing (to make a more secure contact with the tempalte that it mounts on) and secured the plastic piece (this will look like a circut board) that provided electricity to the bulbs - make sure it is making good contact with the prongs.

Kreg

[LaRy]

Be careful and check the brakes! Volvo has a two circuit braking system for safety, first car having that as a standard. This red light will be on if it is a pressure difference in the two systems. Maybe you have a leak in one system. The brakes will still work, but just with half capacity. So please check that the brakes are OK giving full braking torque.

[Volvord]

LaRy is correct, although every car for over 30 years has used a dual circuit braking system, Volvo is very unique in running a dual triangular system. With every other dual system when one hydaulic circuit fails you will loose half the brakes on the car, whereas with the Volvo you will only completly loose one of the rear brakes, both front brakles will still work. The design is so good that many people will not notice a difference in brake function or efficiency if one system has failed. Have the system checked professionally or make sure you have the skills and knowledge to ensure both hydraulic circuits are working correctly.

http://www.volvobygorges.com/graphics/v ... ry/V43.jpg

As a side note the brake metering block which senses unequal circuit pressures can be prone to dirt and internal contamination which can give a false failure light. But still the systems should be thoroughly checked