Tail lights and Brake light issues

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

How many tail lights weren't working?

The only relay associated with the rear lights is the bulb failure warning. This is round and is located on the left side of the rear row of relays which are behind the front ashtray. The relay works on pairs of lights, low beam headlights, rear lights and brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed. If one of the pair of bulbs in those circuits is not working the relay will illuminate the "bulb failure" warning light on the instrument panel. This warning light is 5th from the right and is a bulb with a X over it.

If the bulbs and fuses check out OK it may be that the bulb failure relay is not working as it does provide the power for those lights.

Bill.

[lummert]

Upper lights are fog lamps, not all cars use both of the rear fog lamps. The other problem may be related to poor ground connection.

[billofdurham]

In the UK both rear fog lights can be used so mine are always set up that way. However, I believe that in the US the passenger side rear fog light is disabled so that one shouldn't work.

The other problem may be related to poor ground connection.

A big +1 on that.

Bill.

[lummert]

Both rear fog lamps work on my 1988 760 Turbo Wagon.