Hello, I have a 2012 Volvo S60 and the brake lights are not working (the main brake lights, bulbs) do not work at all.

What I've checked so far:
Bulbs are good.
Fuse is good.
LED 3rd brake light works.
Running lights, turn signals, etc. all work.
Replaced the brake pedal switch for the brake lights.
I disconnected the battery and held the positive & negative cables together to reset the coils.

What I haven't tried yet:
- same brand of bulbs
- getting a computer check (diagnostics check) - I don't have a reader and can't drive it with no brake lights
- wiring, although everything else works and *both* sides or main brake lights are out.
- brake relay (not sure where it is yet, if it's the one in the trunk I unplugged it and plugged it back in)

Any other thoughts on what to try to fix this issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

Here's a wiring diagram. You should be able to check for power (with your $5 test light) to the L&R brake bulbs at the light assemblies or on the CEM (the vt-bn wires - maybe violet and brown)

Same brand of bulbs won't matter, there is no brake light relay, and - on some earlier cars if a bulb shorts out that can trip a "circuit breaker" in the CEM. I don't know if a 2012 does that. A code will be set and power is restored by fixing the short and erasing the code. Have never seen that happen with multiple bulbs though. You will need a scanner that can talk to all the control units in the car, not just a plain OBD scanner.

 

Thank you for this hoonk!
Is there a type of scanner I should be asking for a check from that fits the description, "...a scanner that can talk to all the control units in the car, not just a plain OBD scanner" ?