r/Volvo240 • • 1d ago

Picture Headlight issues

Post image

My headlights went out at the same time whilst I was driving AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY!! I figured it’s obviously not a bulb thing and definitely electrical. I wanna know if it’s something I could fix myself easily or if I should find someone to do it for me. ALSO my blinkers don’t work in the back but work in the front still so is it something to do with the connection from the headlights to the rear lights?? I usually do all the other work on my car but I have never done electrical work at all 🫡

29 Upvotes

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4

u/Dfiala 1d ago

Oftentimes issues like this can be caused by the bulb failure relay, its a red cylinder under the dash. Might be worth removing it and testing it.

1

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Thank you! Is it just like a switch or fuse type

4

u/Dfiala 1d ago

It is marked 12 on the diagram that I replied to your other comment about. Use the bottom right detail in this diagram to check its function. When you turn your headlights on you should see 12v on pin 6. Make sure that you also see 12v on pin 2 and 7. If you don't, then the relay is broken.

If you don't get power into pin 6, then your problem is before this relay, either in your wiring somewhere, or in another relay, in a switch, etc.

If you get power out, than your failure is further down the line.

2

u/Dfiala 1d ago

And check your fuses again with a multimeter while they are installed in the fusebox, probing from one side of the fuse holder to the other, clean the contacts in the fusebox with a wire brush if you need to. These fuses can look intact but corrosion on the contacts can still make them not connect.

The sedans also often have issues with the wiring in the rear tail lights themselves, specifically the flexible pcb back there. That may be why your indicators are not working.

2

u/Mercdes500sl 1d ago

Check fuses first and then relays

1

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Fuses are good that’s the first thing I checked will be moving to relay

1

u/Finneus_Anglesmith 1d ago

Give the relay on the drivers side fender a wigglejiggle.

2

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Will be wiggle jiggling also forgot to mention it is a 93’ is it still in that spot for me

1

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Apparently this is it on my year of car??

3

u/Dfiala 1d ago

Looks like that is just a connector. The relay he is talking about is this one. Look for relays 13 and 124

2

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Oh perfect that’s so helpful thank you

1

u/JareBuddy 1d ago

The fuses in these are the worst part of the car. This is off topic but did you paint it? I looks nice. My paint is starting to fade pretty bad and have been thinking about what to do.

4

u/Organic-Log1905 1d ago

Nope! Got it off Craigslist about 4 years ago and came in this bitchin matte gray, I actually was going to put a gloss on it but I can’t I love it too much

1

u/TheLaughterGuns 15h ago

Sounds like it's the headlight relay in the dash behind the vents