2001 V70 Bulb Failure position light error?

[Paddy94]

Hi all.

As the title suggests, I'm having a little trouble with my rear drivers side Position light.

At first I thought it was just a bad bulb, so I changed that. Then it still didn't work...alright, so I got a new bulb holder and still nothing. So, I took the rear lower light off (After having to pull apart the whole boot almost!) checked the wiring and all seemed fine. I decided to take the plunge and picked up a whole new lower tail light from the breakers, with bulbs and holders. I've also tried swapping the bulb holder from the passenger side light (Works fine) into the driver side, but it still refused to work.

Lo and behold...still nothing! The fog and reverse lights work, just not the upper position light? I've cleaned the bulb holders, cleaned the contact points in the light housing, but still nothing...Anyone have any ideas before I go mad here?

Any help at all would be very greatly appreciated.

[Georgeandkira]

I won't bore you with my recent mini-saga except to say a bitterly cold spell last Winter saw 5 of my V70's lamps go out. One of which was that position bulb.

To be clear, it was the smaller lamp with the sphere shaped bulb (RW5) not like the larger stop & turn signal bulbs.

Indeed it often pays to check any bulb with an ohm meter whilst tapping the bulb slightly-even new ones. Also, check to make certain there isn't a queer, single circuit fuse for this troublesome lamp.

What I experienced was indeed bad filaments but 2 of my rear lamps' holders (the things you twist for removal and installation) melted a bit.

It surprised me not that I needed to true them out by shaving warped plastic away but still I was surprised (nicer than reporting maddening infuriation) at how finicky the contact points were.

Rounded contacts in the holder barely touch the flat metal contacts in the taillight housing (the part with the red plastic lenses).

I'd touch 'em until the bulb would light. Releasing them caused the light to go out.
I'd apply a rubber band to lean the holder into a contacting position and it would hold for 2 seconds or 2 days before failing.

Finally the damn, inexcusably cheap things mated and stayed in contact.

I also have to mention that those stupid holders, while keyed, can be "jammed in" in a manner which makes no contact. The lugs of the holder aren't different enough to preclude jamming.

I suppose all I'm saying is to try bulb installation with the ignition on so you can see it illuminate. Then go about settling it in.

For what it's worth, I also saw a bit of blackening on the contact points which I cleaned as you mentioned. I have been applying dielectric grease to all bulb installations for years now and I suggest you do the same.

As tempting as it may be, do not shoot the back of your car many times with a shotgun as it is more expensive route.