Hello,

I have a 1994 Volvo 940 Wagon and today the 3rd brake light stopped working, after driving for a few minutes it worked again. A few hours later I started the car and the warning light on the dash was on again, 3rd brake light out, I replaced the bulb and nothing. I checked the contacts, and nothing, still won't work. Any suggestions on where I should start looking would be great. All of the other brake lights/tail lights work fine. Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

Wire for 3rd taillight (including ground wires) run thru the tailgate hinges. Either of them tend to crack over the years, giving intermittent operation. Open the tailgate and inspect at the wires on either hinge (you may need to remove the wire bundle insulation) for cracks/breaks. Replace the suspect wire. You may be able to cut and splice the wires right in that location, and tuck away excess wire into the tailgate.

 

Thanks Alex for the quick response! I will check it out...

 

I just did a quick check of the wiring that goes around the tailgate hinges. The outer casing of the wire is cracked, but the insulation is intact. The license plate lights work fine, (just an FYI) I think i'll need to get a volt meter and check to see if the wires going to the socket are getting power and take it from there.

 

Update, I acquired a voltage tester, checked the black wire going to the 3rd brake light and it has power (lit up red) the striped wire (which should have lit up green if it had power) seems to be the issue. I guess i'll have to trace the wire back through the tailgate and through the hinge opening. Any tips for getting the trim/carpet off the tailgate would be greatly appreciated. Will tackle this job next weekend... Oh, and in the process, I must have shorted the system since I lost brake lights AND the ability to pull the car out of park (no shift lock override button present) what a Bit*h it was getting to the fused with the shifter in park! lesson learned!

 

You can shift out of Park by lifting a lever inside the shifter bottom side. To get the panel off the gate, pry the trim around the handle, undo the two torx screws, unscrew the plastic fasteners on the bottom 1/4 turn, and slide the whole panel UP-all this done carefully not to crack old brittle plastic pieces.

 

Thanks for the tips tedv. Does anyone know if there is a complete replacement tailgate harness like there is for the 240 series cars? If anyone has performed this repair on a 740/940 wagon please reply with the steps you took to fix these wires... I guess in the time being since the plastic coating on the harness is cracked, I should put some electrical tape around it to protect the remaining wires, I can live without a 3rd brake light for a while I guess...