Hey guys, thanks in advance for any help. I purchased a 2002 V70 FWD N/A yesterday and day one of Volvo ownership was great. This morning I thought it a good idea to cheak all the brake lights only to find neither of the rear brake lights working. A trip to the auto parts later with new bulbs in hand I replaced both brakes lights only to find now they stay on all the time when the ignition is on, regardless of where the headlight switch is. The third center brake light functions as it should. I searched around and found the recall for the Relay in the back that should be replaced with the two seperate relays and have done this with two new relays and it didn't solve the problem. I've searched the forum quite a bit so as to not have to ask the same question that it looks like others have experienced but I wasn't able to find a clear answer... Anyone have any suggestions? The current status is:

Right and Left brake light constantly on
Center brake light functions as should
Single relay in position RMI5 and RMI6 has been replaced with two seperate Relays
My knuckes hurt from the retarded positioning of the rear brake lights

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Nobody?.... Did I post this in the wrong section? - If so Mods feel free to move!

 

I wonder if it is something with the brake light switch.
Did the lights go out when you removed the relays?

 

Does the car have a trailer hitch? Somebody might have screwed the wiring trying to tap in for trailer lights.

 

Can't be the brake light switch (I think) because the center brake light still works as it should and the switch itself doesn't seem to have and play or stick. I think it's fine. There's no trailer hitch that I saw but I'll check again to see if one has possibly been removed at some point.

Could a bad ABS controller cause the lights to stay on? The cruise control also doesn't work and I know these things are known for going bad. I haven't read that it could cause the lights to stay on tho?

I'm usually pretty keen on these sorts of things but this one really has me stumped!

 

No the ABS module will not cause the lights to stay on.

I am not 100% sure about the switch either but I know in an easy way of speaking.
The newer Volvo's are designed a little different than the older ones.
If the brake lights have a fault the 3rd one will work when the others will not.
They kind of seperated the wiring on them just in case something happens all the lights are not dead.

Maybe there might be a fault in the REM (Rear fuse panel) It is actually a module.

 

As in the entire rear fuse panel may need replacement, or there is a module in particular that controls this sort of thing?

 

There is a module that slides into the panel.
Usually when it goes bad it will also affect the rear door locks and fuel gauge. You might have to bit the bullet and find someone that can read the codes from the rear module.

 

To the left of your steering wheel there are 5 toggle switches. The second one over from the left is your rear fog lights, just flip that switch.

 

Lol... That would be absolutely super if it were true, however its a 2002, those switches aren't there. Ahhhhh if only.....