Hello, My 1990 240DL Wagon is really becoming a bummer, when it comes to figuring out what is up with the brake lights and the instrument display lighting. At the moment, just like “thehipp” who posted on Nov 6th concerning his Left Brake Light Failure. This too, has been a problem for me, for several months. Replacing bulbs hasn’t worked, and for the record, I already replaced the brake switch with a new one. This of course, turned out NOT to be the problem. The old one was still good. What a waste of time and labor. Suddenly now, I have a new problem. The back window and right brake light, are now permanently on, as of last night, while the left brake light remains failed. Furthermore, my headlights that have always been left in the on position, for added safety and visibility, in dark and rainy Western Washington days, now stay on when I turn off the car, where they of course, have always gone off in the past, upon turning the car completely off. Finally, my instrument lights have been sporadic, between brightly and visible, and completely off, making driving at night a real thrill, without occasional dome light intervention. It has been over a week since the instrument lights came on at all. Though I have sometimes gone as much as three weeks between their brief and full return. This 240DL Volvo otherwise runs like a dream, looks great, and gives us little trouble. I know this probably seems a real hassle, but does anyone have any ideas? It sure would be appreciated. This car is no rust bucket. Thank you

As far as the rear lights go I would have to suggest you replace the entire taillight assembly. Before you do this though I would look around and try to find someone with a 240 like yours. See if you can borrow their taillights and just see if that fixes the problem. If it does then replace yours. The instrument lights I am not sure. It could very well be the dimmer switch that you have which dims them. I would assume the current goes through here so maybe replacing it might help. I'm sure it can't be terribly expensive.

I am having the same problem. My front left turn signal doesnt work anymore..it seems to be loose and I tried to fix it..it worked off and on but now it wont turn on and then my back left brake lights wont work. My speedo lights turn off and on in the instrument panel as well..i dont know what to do..as well as a gas leak.

"Furthermore, my headlights that have always been left in the on position, for added safety and visibility, in dark and rainy Western Washington days, now stay on when I turn off the car"
Could this be a problem with the ignition switch? Does rain affect the electrics? If so, the wiring harness is probably shorting.

I have no idea. I leave mine in the on position as well, but they always go off when the car is turned off.