I'm looking for information on whether the S40s sold in the US from 2008-2011 had two working rear fog lights. I have a 2011 S40, and the manual specifically says that there is a fog light in each rear light console and refers to the "rear fog lights." And there is a bulb on both sides. But only the driver's side rear fog lights works on my car (even after changing bulbs). The passenger side rear fog lights appears to be wired fine. When one presses the "rear fog light" button on the console (button #5 according to the manual), it lights up "orange" instead of the green of the other buttons. That suggests one of the bulbs is out -- yet a bulb change didn't help.

I haven't found any info from the manual about a fuse for the rear fog lights (would there be a single fuse for both?) nor any posts from anyone else in this situation. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I only know that on my 2006 V50 (US spec) there was only one bulb (driver's side). That is apparently the spec, and AFAIK, is how Volvo does it. I'm betting that they just wire the newer models the same (with bulbs and holders, and wiring) for both sides, but probably option which side lights up via hardwiring or programing (no idea which).

 

In the US, only the drivers side has a working fog light.

 

Thanks habbyguy.

My 2011 came with a working bulb in the rear passenger fog light position, and the wiring appears identical to that on the driver's side. If the rear passenger fog light doesn't work, do you know where Volvo disconnected it? I couldn't see a place which is why I'm confused.

 

pmondrian67, sorry - I have no idea how Volvo "selects" which rear fog light gets powered. I suspect it could be a programmable option (using VIDA or equivalent). Otherwise, it'll take access to a real wiring diagram (something I never really had for my V50). You could cheat and run a wire between the two lamps, though you might want to replace them with LED lamps to keep the current drain down so you don't pop a fuse (if the second bulb might be enough to exceed the fuse spec).

 

Thanks again! I'm actually not interested in getting both of the lights working, but I wanted to know that only one is supposed to work, and I wasn't able to visually see a reason. On my 2004.5 S40, there is a blank in the rear passenger fog light place, so it's clear that that it's not meant to work.

 

There doesn't seem to be any doubt that only one lamp is supposed to work. I'm a bit confused as to your quest to figure out the mechanics of how they accomplish that if you don't have any interest in getting both rear fog lamps to come on.

 

I wouldn't be concerned except that the Volvo manual for the car says there should be two working rear fog lights. There are often errors in the manual, but it certainly sounds like both rear lights were supposed to be working. I wanted to be sure that everything is working the way it should. I also don't understand why the dashboard light for the rear fog lights comes up as orange (instead of green) if there is supposed to be only one working rear fog light. It's a 10 year old car, but it wasn't a cheap car when it was sold and I would have expected Volvo to get those details correct. Thank you for your help and insight here.