Tail lights, 99 S70

jimpierce7 · Post by **jimpierce7** » 05 Apr 2019, 21:35

Hello folks. This may sound normal to some but I sure found it odd. Maybe somebody can explain the concept behind it. There is also a comedic twist of a sort.
The manager I work for has a '99 S70. She has no mechanical/electrical know how what so ever.
She tells me an idiot light comes on about a bulb out. Tail light bulb. (keep this part in mind)
She asks me to look at it and I figure it can't be any worse that tail light bulbs on my '06 XC70. Right?
Very easy light replacement. Very easy.
But wait!! There is a problem. An oddity of sorts? Strange and unusual?
I look at the drivers side cluster (on the trunk lid) and the lens has three holes.
On the passenger side it has two holes?!!! Huh?
Now I am perplexed. Baffled even.
I still as of yet have not looked at the dash myself to verify the tail light out indicator.
So, a little exploring and a trip to my local dealer left me no less baffled.
A fog lamp to the rear? In red? None to the front? I don't get that and would anybody in the know please explain why this would be?
And as for the tail light out indicator? Ready for a laugh?
It was the fog lamp indicator and it had been turned on. 20 years with the car and it was unknown. lol Well, at least we had a good laugh!!

here it is the drivers side.

and the passenger

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 05 Apr 2019, 22:02

Yeah, the P80s have single rear red fog lights. It just makes a bright light similar to a brake light for dense fog conditions. I think on some there is a spot for one on each side, but in Europe at least I think it's illegal to have two bright rear fog lights because they can be mistaken for brakes.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 06 Apr 2019, 01:29

One rear fog light. In fog one side will be brighter then the other, giving away the position of your car. This way an idiot that passes in adverse weather conditions with limited visibility has a better change of missing you.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Apr 2019, 05:00

I think it’s covered in the manual, it’s not even too late to read it !

Volvo puts them online for free by the way

jimpierce7 · Post by **jimpierce7** » 06 Apr 2019, 10:20

abscate wrote: 06 Apr 2019, 05:00 I think it’s covered in the manual, it’s not even too late to read it !

Volvo puts them online for free by the way

Well, smart ass, if it was my car, I might do that!! But yeah, it could have saved a bit of time!

jimpierce7 · Post by **jimpierce7** » 06 Apr 2019, 10:23

Seeing as it makes a bit of sense now, bad weather, truly bad weather, can be an oddity where I live. Sounds like a good idea where everybody knows and expects this. Especially when dealing with those that seem to want to haul ass on rounds you don't stick too.