91 740 Volvo Wagon brake lights on tail don't go on

GL

MEMBER
1991 VOLVO 740

I've got an odd problem on both right and left tail lights on Volvo 740 wagon (91). The tail lights both work, when I hit the brakes the light in the back window on the wagon comes on but the tail lights do not glow brighter, tried switching the bulbs and all the fuses look fine. Any ideas?

thanks

3 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Tough one but I would suspect that a good possibility is ground. Make sure the grounds are good and the connections are not corroded.

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Sunday, December 31st, 2006 AT 11:44 PM

GL

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the idea about the ground.
With the lights turned off, I had my kid hold the brake pedal down then gently turned the bulb holders in the socket until

1. They came on and then with another tiny twist
2. They glowed brighter

So now it's working though it seems pretty fragile to me given the force that the rear door on the wagon comes down and just driving around. I can see them working themselves loose but maybe not. I'll watch it. The bulb holders don't move very easily. The contacts are all pretty clean. Drivers side is a replacment assembly from a junkyard that looks brand new, left side is original though there's no obvious corrosion on any contacts.

Thanks again