87 245 faulty bulb warning module.
Tag lights went out. Looked up at hatch hinges and saw copper. Went to the stash of parts to use when I have to and got both left and right hatch wiring harness. From IDP and sweetish professional parts?
Installed both,Installed new ground at hinge. And now the tag and stop work, but the warning module lights the dash up.
Headlights low and high running, brake parking turn and flasher reverse lights all work. Seatbelt light lights up. Where next to look?
Or just be done with the module, and how is that done? Could someone explain how the module works, and what it checks please?
The car sat for better than ten years (electric door lock was a slow drain every night) in a yard before I poured sweat, blood and money into it, and has been a good girl these last two years. First hiccup it's had.
Installed both,Installed new ground at hinge. And now the tag and stop work, but the warning module lights the dash up.
Headlights low and high running, brake parking turn and flasher reverse lights all work. Seatbelt light lights up. Where next to look?
Or just be done with the module, and how is that done? Could someone explain how the module works, and what it checks please?
The car sat for better than ten years (electric door lock was a slow drain every night) in a yard before I poured sweat, blood and money into it, and has been a good girl these last two years. First hiccup it's had.
When does the bulb out come on?
The module cares about and compares the current used by:
1, The low beam headlamps, left vs right
2. The rear parking light bulbs, left vs right
3. The brake light bulbs, left vs right
4. The 3rd brake light vs a fixed resistance.
If the bulb out comes on with the light switch turned off and only when pressing the brake pedal -
Either the left and right bulbs are not using the same amount of current - or the center bulb is using the wrong amount of current.
If all are working and you don't want to mess with it any longer - for about $10 you can buy a bypass plug from IPD.
The module cares about and compares the current used by:
1, The low beam headlamps, left vs right
2. The rear parking light bulbs, left vs right
3. The brake light bulbs, left vs right
4. The 3rd brake light vs a fixed resistance.
If the bulb out comes on with the light switch turned off and only when pressing the brake pedal -
Either the left and right bulbs are not using the same amount of current - or the center bulb is using the wrong amount of current.
If all are working and you don't want to mess with it any longer - for about $10 you can buy a bypass plug from IPD.
Thanks for the prompt reply.
The warning light comes on with the parking lights and head lights. It does not come on with the brake lights. That would rule out the headlamps.
The drivers side rear parking light is not as bright as the passenger light, but that could be because the lenses are different, the left being european, the right USA. Front seem to be equal
Will check the ground tomorrow. Also I think I have a spare relay. If that does not fix it go with the IDP plug. What is it called please.
The warning light comes on with the parking lights and head lights. It does not come on with the brake lights. That would rule out the headlamps.
The drivers side rear parking light is not as bright as the passenger light, but that could be because the lenses are different, the left being european, the right USA. Front seem to be equal
Will check the ground tomorrow. Also I think I have a spare relay. If that does not fix it go with the IDP plug. What is it called please.
3 types of bulbs used - #67, small globe 5 watt. 1156 large globe 21 watt, and the dual filament 1157 bulb with both a 5 and a 21 watt filament in it. The parking light bulbs are 5 watt bulbs, brake, reverse and turn signal are 21 watt bulbs.
So if one side is brighter than the other - that means one side is using more current than the other or a bad connection or the wrong bulb, or wired incorrectly - and will cause the bulb failure light. Sometimes you have to use new bulbs of the same brand to have equal current usage on both sides. Try to purchase bulbs with a silver base - many times the brass base bulbs are inferior quality.
You might want to remove all the rear parking light bulbs - to make sure the bulb out light stays off (with the headlamp switch in the parking lamp position) This is because the left and right side will be using the same amount of current - 0 watts.
If I was going to disable the bulb failure warning system and the relay was allowing power to go to the brake lights, low beam headlamps and the rear parking lights - The easiest and free method is to cut the black wire in the harness going to the bulb failure relay. Or you can spend 15 minutes and take the bulb out of the dash. (I have never done either, but I have fixed many cars where that had been done) The IPD plug would be a cheaper way to replace the relay if it were bad - but it sounds like yours is ok.
It's a very simple system - get the rear parking lamps to use the same amount of current on both sides and the light will stay off. Could be bulbs/connections/or a bad ground. All Volvo sedans have 2 parking light bulbs on each side - I don't remember if the wagons do also.
Last edited by hoonk; Jul 4, 2021 at 09:50 AM.
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