2017 V90 - Passenger side outer tail light failure

mannyo1221 · Apr 17th, 2023, 07:35

First, let me say I have had issues with this light before.

Bringing up this issue again.

Following all the recent extreme rain down here in the south of the UK it would appear my V90 passenger side rear light is not working.

I have only discovered this when I reversed in front of a window, I have no warnings on the dashboard for light failure at all.

Current symptoms

Side lights / headlights on, nothing at all on the outer lamp but LEDs on the boot lid working. But when switched on the rear lamp on outer cluster that side gets very hot like there is a short circuit present.

Brake light on passenger side, when applying brakes the light comes on for a fraction of a second and goes out.

Indicator, wow that still works.. but on my model is a conventional bulb.

The light cluster is clearly full of moisture, you can see drops of water on the inside and also the indicator lens is all fogged up. I tried a hair dryer to see if it would help but of course not.

Drivers side all still ok, but I am now driving with no brake lights during the day and no tail lights with headlights on the passenger side at all. I have no other car, so have no choice. I am partially worried about the excess current draw from that light with the headlights on and would pull the fuse if I knew which one but not sure what else would break.

I suspect the light unit requires replacement, but volvo seem to be booking weeks out for servicing as I have been waiting weeks now since it was booked in for service and I still have 3 weeks to go.

Ulrikas PA · Apr 17th, 2023, 09:01

Assuming that you don't have an extended warranty and will need to pay for a new cluster because of water ingress, phone them up and ask if they have a 15 minute slot they can squeeze you into to confirm it's needed. (Rather than waiting until the service slot of 1-2 hours).

Or buy a second hand one similar to this and take a gamble?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175688492...Bk9SR-y94-PxYQ

neilgorin · Apr 17th, 2023, 13:08

Out of warranty, I'd be buying a used one and fitting it myself or just getting any local garage to do it.

It sounds like a seal has failed if it's full of moisture.

mannyo1221 · Apr 17th, 2023, 15:35

Can you all remember when the rear lights changed to being all LED, ie. the indicator changed to LED from incandescent bulb.

neilgorin · Apr 17th, 2023, 16:47

They were still bulbs in 2019 as I remember standing in the showroom when I bought my V60 wondering why the more expensive, larger car obviously had old style bulbs in it when the same car shrunk a bit was all LED.

MCV60 · Apr 18th, 2023, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyo1221

Can you all remember when the rear lights changed to being all LED, ie. the indicator changed to LED from incandescent bulb.

I believe the MY21 was the facelift, where V90 has full rear LED light clusters.
Worth noting the rear indicator position changed from its previous position. The 2021 indicator continues into the (inner) cluster on the boot lid.

FYI

VOLVO V90 Tail Light Animation

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/C-zzJ_M_bzQ

Clan · Apr 18th, 2023, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilgorin

Out of warranty, I'd be buying a used one and fitting it myself or just getting any local garage to do it.

It sounds like a seal has failed if it's full of moisture.

I would like to see them try :-) Not a straightforward job.

Yes any sign of water at all in a LED light unit and it is toast as the delicate circuit board corrodes then burns out...

neilgorin · Apr 18th, 2023, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

I would like to see them try :-) Not a straightforward job.

Trim off, unplug, undo all the bolts holding it on, surely? Cars are just big Meccano sets.

nu11eaf · Apr 18th, 2023, 16:28

Usually involves removing wheel arch trim and bumper to get to the bottom securing bolt these days, a really stupid design,.

Philip Fisher · Apr 18th, 2023, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

I would like to see them try :-) Not a straightforward job.

Yes any sign of water at all in a LED light unit and it is toast as the delicate circuit board corrodes then burns out...

Fiddly but not that difficult with some patience and a decent socket set. I've done it on my XC90. Hardly rocket science.

Apr 17th, 2023, 07:35	#1
mannyo1221 Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 15:22 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Blandford	2017 V90 - Passenger side outer tail light failure First, let me say I have had issues with this light before. Bringing up this issue again. Following all the recent extreme rain down here in the south of the UK it would appear my V90 passenger side rear light is not working. I have only discovered this when I reversed in front of a window, I have no warnings on the dashboard for light failure at all. Current symptoms Side lights / headlights on, nothing at all on the outer lamp but LEDs on the boot lid working. But when switched on the rear lamp on outer cluster that side gets very hot like there is a short circuit present. Brake light on passenger side, when applying brakes the light comes on for a fraction of a second and goes out. Indicator, wow that still works.. but on my model is a conventional bulb. The light cluster is clearly full of moisture, you can see drops of water on the inside and also the indicator lens is all fogged up. I tried a hair dryer to see if it would help but of course not. Drivers side all still ok, but I am now driving with no brake lights during the day and no tail lights with headlights on the passenger side at all. I have no other car, so have no choice. I am partially worried about the excess current draw from that light with the headlights on and would pull the fuse if I knew which one but not sure what else would break. I suspect the light unit requires replacement, but volvo seem to be booking weeks out for servicing as I have been waiting weeks now since it was booked in for service and I still have 3 weeks to go. __________________ Now 2017 Volvo V90 D4, Grey, one owner 56K miles Was 2003 Volvo S60 D5, Blue, one owner, 199K miles.

Apr 17th, 2023, 09:01	#2
Ulrikas PA Master Member Last Online: Jan 7th, 2024 21:44 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ex-owner: V60 D6 Polestar	Assuming that you don't have an extended warranty and will need to pay for a new cluster because of water ingress, phone them up and ask if they have a 15 minute slot they can squeeze you into to confirm it's needed. (Rather than waiting until the service slot of 1-2 hours). Or buy a second hand one similar to this and take a gamble? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175688492...Bk9SR-y94-PxYQ Last edited by Ulrikas PA; Apr 17th, 2023 at 09:05.

Apr 17th, 2023, 13:08	#3
neilgorin Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:37 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: North Berwick	Out of warranty, I'd be buying a used one and fitting it myself or just getting any local garage to do it. It sounds like a seal has failed if it's full of moisture. __________________ 2023 V60 B3 Core with Blonde Leather. Before: 2019 V60 D4 Inscription Manual ran to 105k miles. 2015 V70 D3 5 Cyl ran to 93k. 2010 V50 1.6D DrivE ran to 87k, bit fragile.

Apr 17th, 2023, 15:35	#4
mannyo1221 Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 15:22 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Blandford	Can you all remember when the rear lights changed to being all LED, ie. the indicator changed to LED from incandescent bulb. __________________ Now 2017 Volvo V90 D4, Grey, one owner 56K miles Was 2003 Volvo S60 D5, Blue, one owner, 199K miles.

Apr 17th, 2023, 16:47	#5
neilgorin Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:37 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: North Berwick	They were still bulbs in 2019 as I remember standing in the showroom when I bought my V60 wondering why the more expensive, larger car obviously had old style bulbs in it when the same car shrunk a bit was all LED. __________________ 2023 V60 B3 Core with Blonde Leather. Before: 2019 V60 D4 Inscription Manual ran to 105k miles. 2015 V70 D3 5 Cyl ran to 93k. 2010 V50 1.6D DrivE ran to 87k, bit fragile.

Apr 18th, 2023, 16:28	#9
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Today 21:27 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	Usually involves removing wheel arch trim and bumper to get to the bottom securing bolt these days, a really stupid design,. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats.

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