Forum ignoramus, first post ever... I see historically rear plate bulbs are somewhat of a common problem on various models, but other than checking bulbs, fuses, harness door pinching, I haven't stumbled on any magic answers... purchased my 05 XC70 new, it's babied, service by the book, loads of TLC, so pesky lights are aggravating. My dealer replaced both bulbs on separate recent service appts., fuses are all OK, lights work off/on but after a short while one side will stay off... bulb swapping confirms they aren't the prob... logic says must be a contact/short somewhere but patience is running out... anybody offer anything at all (dealer service usually decent but I'm not happy they haven't solved this). Sorry so wordy, TX

 

You're sure it isn't a broken harness? That is the only thing I have ever seen cause a problem like that.

 

take out the left plastic cover on the tailgate lift arms, remove the tape on the harness and pull on the wires. those things were notorious for cutting the wires in that location.

 

Thanks ES6T & damien360 both... will investigate interior wiring around rear hatch... has to be a compromised connection somewhere...