940 estate brake light

slowprop · Oct 29th, 2020, 19:25

Hi Guys,
The brake and tail light went on my 940 estate. Since I changed the bulb I have had an intermittent brake light failure but the tail light has been fine. The new bulb is testing ok as well. At the moment it's working ok again. I thought it would be a good idea to maybe change the brake light bulb holder and see if that sorts it out.
Could anyone tell me if these are available still or do I need to look for a second hand one. I've had a quick look online and don't seem to be able to find them new.

Any help appreciated.

Robin

Ian21401 · Oct 29th, 2020, 19:51

Hello Robin. Has this fault only occurred since you changed the bulb or did you have problems prior to the bulb failure?
Before doing anything else I would check that the bulb is snug in the holder and then that when the holder is inserted into the lamp body the contacts on the holder are in good contact with the contacts on the lamp body. There may be one which was making a good contact prior to removing the holder but which is not so good now after it has been disturbed. Those holders are rather difficult to replace correctly. If both filaments of the bulb are failing to work I would first suspect the earth.
Best of luck.

slowprop · Oct 29th, 2020, 20:09

Thanks Ian.
Everything was fine until the bulb went and I had to change it. Since it was changed the tail light has been fine. It is an intermittent issue with just the brake light. Both the filaments are testing fine. It does feel like what you are saying is right with one of the contacts within the bulb holder not making a very good contact. I did also try to clean up the contacts as best as I could. At the moment it's working fine. Tomorrow? Maybe not!

Ian21401 · Oct 29th, 2020, 21:36

I suggest that, if you haven’t done so already, if/when the brake light fails again double check the contacts in the bulb holder which contact the bulb and possibly bend them slightly to increase their pressure on the bulb,
Plus, similarly check the contacts between the bulb holder and the lamp body. I have found that when trying to reinsert the bulb holder it is very easy to disturb those contacts.

slowprop · Oct 29th, 2020, 22:09

Makes sense Ian thanks.

Laird Scooby · Oct 29th, 2020, 23:10

Also check you haven't inserted the bulb the wrong way. It has stepped pins to prevent this but sometimes owners still manage it.

If that's all good, remove the holder and the bulb, use a loop of wire to pull the spring contacts in the bulbholder up a bit and clean the base of the bulb where the two contacts are. Clean round the inside of the metal part of the holder where it contacts the metal of the bulb. Then clean the contacts on the back of the light cluster and on the bulbholder, where the contacts are that connect to the cluster, lever them up a little to increase the spring pressure on the holder against the cluster.

Rversteeg · Oct 30th, 2020, 09:10

The light failure indicator checks the current balance between OS and NS lights, so any inbalance and the indicator will light up.

First remedy would be to clean the bulb holder and check the contacts. If that does not solve it, try changing the other side bulb for a new one as well.

Rob

slowprop · Oct 30th, 2020, 18:54

Thanks guys. Usually bulb replacement is straight forward and I thought it would be !

Oct 29th, 2020, 19:25	#1
slowprop Junior Member Last Online: Jan 12th, 2023 17:47 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Dartford	940 estate brake light Hi Guys, The brake and tail light went on my 940 estate. Since I changed the bulb I have had an intermittent brake light failure but the tail light has been fine. The new bulb is testing ok as well. At the moment it's working ok again. I thought it would be a good idea to maybe change the brake light bulb holder and see if that sorts it out. Could anyone tell me if these are available still or do I need to look for a second hand one. I've had a quick look online and don't seem to be able to find them new. Any help appreciated. Robin

Oct 29th, 2020, 19:51	#2
Ian21401 Premier Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2023 20:32 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Blyth, Northumberland	Hello Robin. Has this fault only occurred since you changed the bulb or did you have problems prior to the bulb failure? Before doing anything else I would check that the bulb is snug in the holder and then that when the holder is inserted into the lamp body the contacts on the holder are in good contact with the contacts on the lamp body. There may be one which was making a good contact prior to removing the holder but which is not so good now after it has been disturbed. Those holders are rather difficult to replace correctly. If both filaments of the bulb are failing to work I would first suspect the earth. Best of luck. __________________ Ian. Since 2005: 1992 Volvo 940 estate 2.0L. Manual. Daily driver and workhorse.

Oct 29th, 2020, 21:36	#4
Ian21401 Premier Member Last Online: Feb 11th, 2023 20:32 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Blyth, Northumberland	I suggest that, if you haven’t done so already, if/when the brake light fails again double check the contacts in the bulb holder which contact the bulb and possibly bend them slightly to increase their pressure on the bulb, Plus, similarly check the contacts between the bulb holder and the lamp body. I have found that when trying to reinsert the bulb holder it is very easy to disturb those contacts. __________________ Ian. Since 2005: 1992 Volvo 940 estate 2.0L. Manual. Daily driver and workhorse.

Oct 29th, 2020, 23:10	#6
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:44 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Also check you haven't inserted the bulb the wrong way. It has stepped pins to prevent this but sometimes owners still manage it. If that's all good, remove the holder and the bulb, use a loop of wire to pull the spring contacts in the bulbholder up a bit and clean the base of the bulb where the two contacts are. Clean round the inside of the metal part of the holder where it contacts the metal of the bulb. Then clean the contacts on the back of the light cluster and on the bulbholder, where the contacts are that connect to the cluster, lever them up a little to increase the spring pressure on the holder against the cluster. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Oct 30th, 2020, 09:10	#7
Rversteeg Master Member Last Online: Today 08:53 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Amersfoort (NL)	Balance check The light failure indicator checks the current balance between OS and NS lights, so any inbalance and the indicator will light up. First remedy would be to clean the bulb holder and check the contacts. If that does not solve it, try changing the other side bulb for a new one as well. Rob

Oct 29th, 2020, 20:09	#3
slowprop Junior Member Last Online: Jan 12th, 2023 17:47 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Dartford	Thanks Ian. Everything was fine until the bulb went and I had to change it. Since it was changed the tail light has been fine. It is an intermittent issue with just the brake light. Both the filaments are testing fine. It does feel like what you are saying is right with one of the contacts within the bulb holder not making a very good contact. I did also try to clean up the contacts as best as I could. At the moment it's working fine. Tomorrow? Maybe not!

Oct 29th, 2020, 22:09	#5
slowprop Junior Member Last Online: Jan 12th, 2023 17:47 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Dartford	Makes sense Ian thanks.

Oct 30th, 2020, 18:54	#8
slowprop Junior Member Last Online: Jan 12th, 2023 17:47 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Dartford	Thanks guys. Usually bulb replacement is straight forward and I thought it would be !

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