I noticed there is a orange light with a light bulb sign that comes on my dash everytime I press the brakes. I noticed my third brake light does not come on from my 5th door. ( 93 240 wagon ) I changed the bulb and still does not work, checked all fuses, all good and today awhile driving to work, the ABS light came on, drove a few miles then shut the car off and turn back on and ABS light went away. Anyone have some input on why this is happening?

 

the third brake light on a wagon, I'd be checking the wires that go through one of the rear hatch hinges. those have to flex every time the door is opened and closed, and eventually they conk out. suggested to get the real volvo harness replacement piece as thats special wire with lots of fine strands to be more flexible, generic wire would likely fail much faster.

 

Now the ABS stays on and activated too, and the speedometer needle is acting up, behaving erratically up and down at times. Im going to check those wires and see if I can buy a new kit. FCP euro maybe?

 

the speedometer has nothing to do with the tailgate wiring. speedo is wired to a sensor in the back of the coverplate of the differential (rear axle). but if the needle is twitching, odds are the problem is on the speedo module itself, perhaps bad capacitors on the circuit board, or maybe it just needs some resoldering.

google volvo 240 speedometer repair and see LOTS of how-tos.

 

All these problems started at once, really weird.

 

It could be a flakey ground on the dashboard, I suppose, that would cause lots of random symptoms. I believe on a 240, the dashboard grounds are where the center console meets the transmission hump, on either side, and forward of the shifter. under the carpets and plastic, of course.