Brake light / turn signal / hazard light problem 02 v70 2.4T

Jonboy74 · Post by **Jonboy74** » 15 May 2012, 00:14

Hi everyone,

I have a bizarre problem....it started with my brake lights not working - both incandescent bulbs quit at the same time (which is fishy to begin with), but the LED High Mount Stop Lamp still worked. Then, I noticed that the lights around the car would not illuminate when I locked it with the remote....

From here, it gets even more strange...

Hazard light reports multiple bulb failures...
While the hazard light switch is turned on, if I step on the brake, I get right turn signal failure message on the dash....left turn signal lights all blink, right turn signal lights are on solid.

With the left turn signal switch on, I get no lights, blinking or solid. Fast indicator with bulb failure for left turn signal....but with brake pedal pressed it works properly.

Right turn signal does not work at all, regardless of brake operation. When stepping on brake pedal, right turn signal light comes on solid, along with right side marker.

And at this point.....the brake lights seem to work, though now pressing the brake also turns on the right hand turn signal lights (solid, no blinking).

I called my mechanic and they said that they had sometimes seen the brake light relay go bad and replaced it with two relays....not sure how that is possible without a special adapter....so I did a little Googling....

After a bit of looking, I discovered that there was a recall on the 2002 V70 and V70 XC....specifically "Recall Campaign No.131 Brake Light Relay", noted here: Brake Light Recall on 2002 V70 and XC70

and here:

NHTSA 2002 V70/XC70 brake light recall info

Unfortunately, my vehicle is not within the specified chassis range of 246772 - 262414 or 244720 - 259591....it is BEFORE either of those ranges....

However, it does have the relay part # 9494782, which is specified here to be replaced with two relays of a different type: "relay part number V30765030 at RMI5, AND IN ADDITION fitting a second relay part number V08651661 at relay position RMI6 (fog lamp/s)." from this site: V70 Brake Light Issues [Archive] - Volvo Owners Club Forum, also the same information is posted here: Brake Lights Gone... - Volvo Forum : Volvo Forums

Interestingly enough, the original Technical Service Bulletin calls for a quantity of two of the same relays, 8651661 as opposed to two different ones, notated above:

NHTSA TSB from Volvo

So, I made my way to the local dealership...they confirmed that these two relays are correct for these positions for this particular VIN/Chassis #:

Relay part number V30765030 at RMI5, AND IN ADDITION a second relay part number V08651661 at relay position RMI6 (fog lamp/s)

The dealer had part number V30765030 for RMI5, however they did not have the second relay part number V08651661 for relay position RMI6 (fog lamp/s) in stock. I replaced the larger relay with the smaller one at RMI5 and left RMI6 empty, but the same exact symptoms persist.

I do have a concern that I may have a wiring harness issue...I pulled the REM down to look at the wiring, and noticed that the yellow wire coming from RMI5 appeared to be annealed, as the insulation had bumps and ridges in it and was not smooth....like it had overheated for a long period of time but not enough to blow a fuse or severely melt the insulation....if it has overheated, it very well could have shorted in another segment of the wiring harness against another wire....

I've read about the hazard light switch/flasher could be the culprit, or defective lamp folders, or even the solder on lights melting and causing some of these issues. I confess that I have not checked/replaced the bulbs.....yet

Any ideas would be most appreciated. For anyone needing a diagram of what position(s) the relays and shunts are located on the REM see the image below my signature....

Jonboy
__________________
1st time Volvo owner, and loving it (well I was at first, but the more I learn, the more disappointed I become...)
2002 V70 2.4T
1999 Chevy Blazer 4.3L V6
1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Post by **DGM** » 15 May 2012, 10:03

Other than the relay in position RM15 have you looked at the shunt especially RSH6 on the REM?

You can substitute with another for testing purpose IE: RSH3.

Take note that later models have an extra fuse to power the brake lights in position 11D14.

Jonboy74 · Post by **Jonboy74** » 15 May 2012, 19:20

Actually, yes, and I still had the same result

Thanks for the schematic. Any other ideas?

Jonboy

Jonboy74 · Post by **Jonboy74** » 17 May 2012, 00:51

Also, would you happen to be able to provide a schematic for the turn signals and hazard lights? This would be most helpful for my troubleshooting.

Thanks!

Jonboy

Post by **DGM** » 17 May 2012, 05:26

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo-wiring-diagrams

Jonboy74 · Post by **Jonboy74** » 21 May 2012, 08:31

Thanks for the link to the schematics, DGM!

So, One of the first things I did when I noticed the turn signal issue was to check the fuse for that circuit - # 22 in the front driver side fuse block. This led me to investigate other possibilities, such as the relay, and the possibility of an overheated wire causing a short....

In looking at the schematics, and the odd issue of the right turn indicator illuminating when I pressed the brake pedal, I decided to focus there first. I started to remove the wring connector from the tail lamp and it appeared loose, which wasn't good. this may in fact be the cause of my problem! I couldn't really see what I wanted to see, so I proceeded to remove all of the trim panels required to remove the tail light assembly. Once free from the vehicle, I noticed exactly what I was looking for....the assembly had become so hot from the brake light bulb that it had melted....to the point of just BARELY shorting out the metal frame that the bulbs plug into (which explains why two completely separate circuits would allow the turn signal indicator to illuminate with the brake light pressed. With this assembly unplugged, still, none of the turn or hazard indicators worked. In looking at the wiring harness and the problem, everything pointed back to the front of the car, in the vicinity of the CEM. So I had the thought....let's check the fuse one more time.

BINGO! As I had stated before, I checked the fuse right off the bat and it appeared to be good (I confess, I was looking at it in the evening, holding it up to the light, and not with a meter - rookie mistake, but I'm generally pretty good at being able to discern a blown fuse without the aid of a meter). In fact, I do believe this is the FIRST time I've ever missed one via visual inspection... my eyes are getting older....I digress.

So, with the fuse replaced, I reconnected the tail light to see what would happen. with no lights plugged into the frame and the hazard lights on, the frame buzzed! Definitely need a new tail light....

Dealer part, special order, $150! (sigh)
eBay, $35.... (but buyer beware, considering this is generally not a repairable part)
junk yard....I'm guessing $75, but at least I can visually inspect it in person myself!

I asked the dealer if they had run into this before, and they said not as far as they knew - the particular person I spoke with said that they had sold one tail light assembly in 3 years....

So, anyway, word to the wise.....ALWAYS use a meter to check your fuses....

Cheers!

Jonboy

alanjackson · Post by **alanjackson** » 03 May 2019, 05:06

Hello all, I have a 2002 V70 that also has a flasher problem but ONLY on the trailer R/H flaser - all others OK.
I have tried several trailer lighting boards and checked the circuit all the way from both sides of the plug in the cargo compartment all the way through to the bulb on the trailer board and have a good (almost zero ohms) circuit.
Any suggeations anyone? I have seen the excellent circuit diagrams in this post - does anyone have one of the flasher circuit?
Also, where on earth are the fuses and relays for the flashers? Many thanks