On my 85 240 the inside upper lights in the rear do not light up, Bulbs are good and I cleaned the connections, still not working and the bulb warning light is on only when the motor is running goes out when motor is turned off. Any suggestions? Thanks Mike

 

I think that those are rear fog lights. Check for a mystery switch on you dash probably near your lights switch. Or check out your owner's manual for more. lots of euro cars got another set of rear fog lights that are just brighter for people behind you to see you in the fog.

 

Thanks for that. I still have the bulb out light on without any bulbs out but only when the motor is running. Any ideas?

 

That bulb out relay compares power usage between bulbs. In the case of headlights, if you don't replace them with the exact type it may draw more or less energy compared to the other bulb. When is the bulb out relay coming on? With low beams? High beams? Running lights? Brake lights? All the time? That will help you locate the circuit that the fault is in.

 

Actually, I haven't checked to see if it comes on only with running lights on. It is on continuosly with driving lights on only while the motor is running. Is there another circuit that comes into play once you start the car? Or is it like Audis where you have to replace the bulbs in tandem otherwise the bulb out light comes on?

 

Volvos don't let the light's run while the car is off so you don't leave them on when you park some place and kill your battery. So you need to find out where the inconsistency is. Turn on different sets of lights to find out. EG.-

Just runnning lights
head lights (low beams)
(high beams)
Fog Lights
etc.

When you turn on a light set and the bulb out light comes on you know that the inconsistency is in those bulbs. If it turns on with the head lights but goes off when you switch to high beams you know that something is wrong with the low beams. Then have a look and see if they are both halogen etc.

Happy hunting!