Have a 1990 Volvo Turbo Station Wagon that has a bbrake light issue. The problem is that the rear, right brake light will not light up when I press on the brakes when the head lights are on. When the head lights are off, the brake light lights up just fine when pressing on the break. I've only been pulled over once so far in the last year that I have owned this car but I really don't want to again.

I have replaced the bulb many times even with an OEM product and still no cure. The orange light on the dash is lit up so I am pretty sure there is a problem. It always lights up when I press on the brakes and is always lit when the head lights are on. All of the wires are attached to the light assembly and I have cleaned all contacts over and over.

Is there a relay that I am missing that I need to replace?

Thanks for your help as I am dumbfounded.

 

check the ground connection, where the wire mounts to the body... it may not solve the problem, but it is a common problem in alot of different manufacters, having same lighting issues...

 

Grounds would be the 1st thought but if the wagon brake light design is similar to the sedans then I would look at the printed circuit flex circuit in the taillight housing. The bulbs are in a plastic holder that you insert and twist into the housing. The contact is made by the tabs on the bulb holder and the printer circuit. You can get high resistance at this connection and you can also wear out the flex circuit. Have someone step on the brakes and you move the bulb holder a bit and see if it lights.