So I bought a 244 this weekend but there's something odd and I'm not sure where to start.

Brake lights don't work and only the brakes lights, BUT when the headlights are on and all of the running lights are on ( everything lights up ) except for the brake lights.

Bulbs look fine, connections MUST be good ( or so I would think since the running lamps work ) so what I'm wondering is if the brake failure relay could lose just that portion that makes the brake lights work is is the culprit more likely to be the brake switch ??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would check the switch near the brake pedal. Maybe it needs to be adjusted.

BTW, fix this like YESTERDAY, before someone rear ends you.

 

After experiencing problems with the brake light I investigated the brake switch as well. There are 2 switches on my 92 240 a lower switch wich appeared to control the shift lock solenoid and another located higher up on the brake pedal arm that I determined was the actual switch. definitely helps to have an assistant when troubleshooting pesky brake lights.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3698836/volvo-240-1988

heres what fixed this persons problem

"Well the problem was the bulb failure relay..$123.00 at the Volvo dealership...but I have brake lights. IPD had the part for about $90 or $95 but I needed the car quickly and couldn't wait for shipping. One intersting thing..what I thought was the brake light switch was actually the criuse control switch..(the parts guy at Volvo got a laugh out of that)..the brake switch..unless your arms are 3' long and can bend easily..is almost impossible to get to. Another intereseting thing is when the parts guy saw the criuse control switch he asked if the cruise control was working. Well it quit working sometime ago. He was 99.9 % sure then that it was bulb sensor. How it ties in I don't know but now my cruise works fine. I hope this helps others out as I sweated, cussed and through a few things, the cat hates me now because she almost caught my trusty volt/ohm meter on head..just kidding.
Thanks for the help !!!! "

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I went and got a couple of used brake failure relays from the wrecking yard on Friday, and installed one this morning.

Luckily for me that was the problem.

Plugged it in and walla ! all the brake lights work now. I sitll have the new brake light switch and will keep it since it was only $8.00 and have another BFR as a spare and will repair ( solder ) the old one that failed.

Thanks for all of the help ! ( although I dread the day the Brake light switch goes out )

 

I've got a similar problem. The light bulb warning light on the instrument cluster lights when I turn on the headlights or push the window up switch. All the lights work properly, and the warning light goes off when the headlight switch is off.

 

My '84 240 turbo has this issue only when the headlights are turned on. I periodically do a walk around at night to see if there are any dead lights but so far none.