) The harness, specifically the crimped connectors that form the bulb receptacles looked pretty ugly. I looked on-line for a replacement and found nada for these years. A peruse of used handles verified that option would be cost prohibitive and could very well have the same corroded harness. I rummaged through my box of electrical junk didn't turn up too much that I could adapt either. Then I came upon the idea to convert to cheap LED panels.
Made in china, mailed from California. $6.80 for five panels shipped.
The problem harness:
The problem sockets. Notice the pretty green color
My initial plan was to mount the LED on the back of part of the bulb-holder, so the bulb-holder would remain as it mounts in a slot on the gate handle. So, using a hacksaw, I cut the bulb-holder flat.
Then it became obvious if I break whats left of the socket the LED will fit in the under/inner side better. The back of the LED board has a sticky foam tape on it (I used a dab of rubber cement too (probably not needed).
[URL=http://s113.photobucket.com/user/DanZ51/media/volvo/4AF8D647-C966-46C3-9B9B-21548122E7EE_zpsrfzowgvc.jpg.html]Soldered and shrink sleeved to the old harness. The LEDs come with adapters to fit various types of automotive sockets. I cut that off so I could still use the little two prong connectors the LEDs came with.
Check everything. Sure enough - one of the LED panels positive is black, negative is red
. Turned the little plug around. 
Re-assembled the gate handle (no, that's not where the harness is routed).
Ooow ya.
HaHaHA They are little bright (this picture makes them look ridiculous bright, they're not that bad) In retrospect I would use the 18LED panels instead of the 24LED panels I used.
