Hey everyone, I am new to this list and am hoping someone can shed some light on my strange electrical situation:
Yesterday I replaced BOTH driver side and passenger side rear door wiring harnesses on my '91 240 wagon. When I turned the key to the accessory position, I was stoked to find that everything was working perfectly on the rear door; the wiper, the 3rd brakelight, the defroster etc, and the "electrical issue" light on the dash no longer came on when depressing the brake. Today I took the car out for a drive however, and noticed that when the car is driving the 3rd brake light goes opposite - remains on when the brake is not depressed, and goes out when the brake is. Further, the rear wiper does not function, and the "electrical issue" light on the instrument panel flashes again every time the brake is depressed. When I stop the engine and return the key to the accessory position, everything works perfectly again. Did I wire something incorrectly? Anything else that could be causing this electrical weirdness?

Thanks for your time,
Alan

 

sounds liek you have a hot and ground mixed up somewhere that is not showing up until you taillights come on with yo9u brake lights as well. Test without it running and with the light switch on parking lights.

 

I have a 1989 240 wagon and I also need to replace some of the wiring harness on the reartail gate. Where did you get the wiring? Did you order it from Volvo or did you make your own. It seems to be very tight pulling the wire back through the hinge. I need any advise you may have.

Thanks Don