Good morning to all, I have another issue with my 2001 Volvo S 40 1.9 turbo. I've sunk a lot of money into this vehicle about 60% restored. the issue I have is with the dashboard idiot lights. I have the orange bulb light lit, and also the triangle with the slipping car lit. All the bulbs are working fine. I've had it to my mechanic and it comes down to a brake light switch malfunction. So again for the 4th time we replaced the brake light switch behind the brake pedal, this has done nothing we've reset everything and the lights just do not come out. I read somewhere about the switch behind the kick panel on the driver side, but the mechanic says there is not one there, that the only one is behind the bright light switch behind the brake pedal. Has on anyone had this issue before or know of this issue and how it could be repaired. The car runs fantastic except for this light still on. Thank you in advance Michael Duddy

 

It's not a brake light switch malfunction - you might want to find someone who understands Volvos.

If you are referring to the two warning lights pictured below:

1. You have a bulb out, or one side is using more current than the other. The bulb failure warning system in most Volvos only cares about the 4 rear parking light bulbs, (2 on each side), the 3 brake lights and the low beams. For the 4 rear parking light bulbs - sometimes they have to be the same brand and age - or one will use more current and trip the bulb out warning. Same with the outer brake bulbs and low beams. Put the light switch in the middle position with the car running - if your foot is off the brake and the bulb out is on - the problem can only be with the rear parking lights. Bulbs or perhaps a bad connection or ground. If the bulb out comes on when the brake pedal is depressed - it's a brake bulb and so on. Some s/v40s of that year range have failures of the CEM that cause headlamp bulbs to not work. CEM on your car is plug and play with any used one - or xemodex fixes those.

2. That is the stability control light. Part of the ABS system. The light being on means there is a self diagnostic code stored in a control unit related to the ABS/stability system. Scan the entire car and there will be a code that will help you develop a rational diagnostic process. A common problem on many Volvos is the ABS control unit develops bad connections/cracks in solder joints and gives false codes - for instance It will say there's a problem with rear wheel sensors - but the problems are actually with the control unit itself - so be careful what parts you replace. A company such as xemodex can fix yours if needed
https://xemodex.com/us/product/anti-...epair-service/