(phantom)brake lights in 2002 V40 tailgate taillight assembly

jimmcrae · Post by **jimmcrae** » 07 Jul 2016, 19:15

My 2002 V40 was rejected in Mass. inspection because the brakelights in the tail light assembly of the tailgate aren't working. Opening it up, the drivers side had one bulb and the passenger side had a factory installed reflective knockout over the bulb socket in the reflector. Furthermore, one (blue) hot wire went to the driver side socket (all other lights in the assembly run into driver's side bulb and out to passenger) and no wire ever went out to the passenger side. The main body brake lights as well as the third eye brake light work fine, as do the tails and backups in the tailgate assembly. Obviously this lower light unit, the space below the backup lights, never was a brake light on this car.
Before I "talk" (flip out) with the inspection guy, can anyone tell me what this odd single bulb is for, and give me any insight to share with the inspector?

Post by **kcodyjr** » 07 Jul 2016, 20:35

Sounds like the rear fog light. It's only on one side.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 09 Jul 2016, 02:21

Confirm the above.
The single bulb is on the right side for RHD or on the left side for LHD.

Post by **alschnertz** » 09 Jul 2016, 05:37

Yea, unfortunately, the inspector is not familiar with the car. Big surprise.
If he gives you a hard time, demonstrate how it works by pressing the dashboard button.
You realize how it works, right? If you went to the trouble of opening up the tail lights, maybe not.
The light will only illuminate when the headlights are on and the dashboard button is depressed. There is also an indicator in the instrument cluster.
It's all spelled out in the owner's manual - which is available online if you don't have one.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Jul 2016, 01:22

Hate to say it but Stupid Inspector. If you had to pay to be rejected, I would demand your money back...take them and show them the car's manual!