1995 855T Lower Brake Lights not working

rp850 · Post by **rp850** » 20 Jun 2014, 08:49

Hi All,

I am running out of ideas on this one and can really use your help:

The lower brake lights on my 850 wagon are not working. My upper brakes lights and third brake light are working fine. I do have lower running lights. I cleaned the contacts on all of the bulb holders and bulb filaments seem to be OK (not sure how to test the bulbs with a multimeter.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

rp850

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jun 2014, 09:34

It is very often bad grounds that cause this. Is there any corrosion on the bulbs?

If the upper and lower bulbs are the same, you can just swap them of course.

You can test them with wire going direct to the battery of course - be careful so that you don't short them out.

rp850 · Post by **rp850** » 20 Jun 2014, 10:10

Thanks for the fast reply. Just to make sure, the lower taillights on a wagon serve as running lights AND brake lights, correct? I honestly can't remember anymore and this link from IPD implies that only the upper lights are brake lights. I am wondering if the way it's working now is actually correct?

http://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10130/ta ... gon-estate

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jun 2014, 12:30

Do they have two filaments or just one?

Two means tail+brake
One means tail only

Post by **JimBee** » 20 Jun 2014, 18:15

This happened it me a few months ago. It was the fuse, a very happy find.

rp850 · Post by **rp850** » 21 Jun 2014, 15:38

They are two Filiment bulbs so I assume the are brake and running lights. I think the lower tails are supposed to be 1156?

For the person who replaced the fuse, are you referring to the brake light fuse?

Thanks again

rp850 · Post by **rp850** » 22 Jun 2014, 10:33

Hi All,

Well, after looking at all the bulbs and the IPD diagram, I really think there are only three bulbs that light up under braking

1. Upper taillight drivers side
2. Upper taillight passenger side
3. Rear window center-mount brake light

If anyone else with a wagon has something different, please let us know.

Thanks!

Post by **QuirkySwede** » 09 Sep 2015, 23:27

abscate wrote:Do they have two filaments or just one?
Two means tail+brake
One means tail only

Almost. A single filament could be 21W (brake or reverse) or 5W (tail or park). See link below.

rp850 wrote:They are two Filiment bulbs so I assume the are brake and running lights. I think the lower tails are supposed to be 1156?

An 1156 is the wrong bulb (and also a single filament).

For the correct bulbs, and to just get a better idea of them in general, see ...

THE Volvo Bulb Guide and Cross-Reference

Note "1. Commonly Confused Bulbs"