Tail light conversion question

[afrothick]

maybe you can help me before I waste money..
will these lights http://www.volvolamps.com/item.wws?catpk=&sku=3518162&mfr=ECP&qty=1&storepk=500175&cookieID=16R03YKTO&clientid=volvolamps fit on my 85' 760 which uses these lights? http://www.volvolamps.com/item.wws?catpk=&sku=1372450&mfr=ECP&qty=1&storepk=500175&cookieID=16R03YKTO&clientid=volvolamps :e-shrug: If anyone has done this mod please let me know how it was done.. thanks :x:

[V-Jet]

Yes it can, I've seen it done. But it's not a direct plug and play conversion, few other things needs to be modified. Physically they're the same dimension, but behind the lights it's completely different. The '90 - '92 tail light use a different circuit board, so you need to remove your old tail lights and cut the panel behind it to accomodate the new circuit board. Alternatively you could buy a whole rear panel (where the license plate / tail lights are mounted to) from a '90 - '92 and weld that onto your car. You'll also need the circuit board for the '90 - '92 tail light, I'm not sure if the wiring is a direct plug in or you need to alter it, but it's best to have a wiring diagram handy.

[SquareD]

I've done this:
http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v78/v740240/MiscForum/bck740.jpg

Wiring wise I had to get a wiring diagram from a dealer for the newer style lights because the haynes manual I had didn't have it. I cut the donor taillights wiring harness back where it lays under the carpet on the driver's side trunk well, that way I could hide where I spliced it in. The two different kinds of lights have relatively different wiring set ups. The older style lights have a dual filament bulb for a running light and brake light, and the newer style has no dual filament bulbs, it has a single bulb for each different light. This leads me to the only problem I've had with the new lights. I think because there isn't a dual filament bulb in the new lights it reads that there is a bulb out when there isn't. Everything works fine but the bulb out light in the instrument cluster stays on when the lights are on. They work fine, but I haven't taken care of the problem yet.
The other problem is that the newer cars had different cut out's behind the taillights than the old cars. My car had two vertical strips of metal in each (relatively square) cutout, the newer cars have a more diamond shaped open cutout. You have to cut those two bands of metal in each cutout to get the new style lights to fit. I sawed the bands out then ground them down, prepped them with rust preventative and painted the ends.
It wasn't extremely hard to do, but it took longer than I thought it would. I recommend it though, it really cleans up the back end of the car. Good luck.

[V-Jet]

The two different kinds of lights have relatively different wiring set ups. The older style lights have a dual filament bulb for a running light and brake light, and the newer style has no dual filament bulbs, it has a single bulb for each different light. This leads me to the only problem I've had with the new lights. I think because there isn't a dual filament bulb in the new lights it reads that there is a bulb out when there isn't. Everything works fine but the bulb out light in the instrument cluster stays on when the lights are on. They work fine, but I haven't taken care of the problem yet.
Have you tried replacing your bulb failure warning relay from a 90+ model? If you can find a used one for cheap, it's worth replacing it and giving it a try. I have a feeling that it might fix your problem.

I'm glad my 740 is already a '90 so it came fitted with the later tail light. I'm considering replacing them with either a set from '90 760, same style but about an inch longer either side, or one from Hova with clear turn indicator lens but still red lens on the tail / brake / rear fog section.

[afrothick]

thanks guys this really helped.
now i can order the later lights and be sure that they can be installed. :wave:

[afrothick]

isn't this a performance and modifications post? why was it moved to the showroom? :e-shrug: there are posts in the performance and mods section that are clearly showroom that were never moved.

[Boosted2003]

[quote:19a7ade26a="D Hulting"]The two different kinds of lights have relatively different wiring set ups. The older style lights have a dual filament bulb for a running light and brake light, and the newer style has no dual filament bulbs, it has a single bulb for each different light. This leads me to the only problem I've had with the new lights. I think because there isn't a dual filament bulb in the new lights it reads that there is a bulb out when there isn't. Everything works fine but the bulb out light in the instrument cluster stays on when the lights are on. They work fine, but I haven't taken care of the problem yet.
Have you tried replacing your bulb failure warning relay from a 90+ model? If you can find a used one for cheap, it's worth replacing it and giving it a try. I have a feeling that it might fix your problem.

I'm glad my 740 is already a '90 so it came fitted with the later tail light. I'm considering replacing them with either a set from '90 760, same style but about an inch longer either side, or one from Hova with clear turn indicator lens but still red lens on the tail / brake / rear fog section.[/quote:19a7ade26a]

yeah i have 1990 760. I love the rear tail lights.