Volvo Repair: Volvo DL 240 1987, reverse light switch, bulb failure

Question
Hi Roger,

I need help.  I have a 1987 volvo dl sedan.  My reverse light went out about a week ago.  I checked all the fuses and the bulbs all replace just to make sure.  Then I changed the gear shifter safety switch thinking this could be the problem.  No luck.  I checked the power to the back assembley lights all good execpt for the back up bulb holder no power.  Then tonight the bulb failure light came on when we were driving home.  I changed the left parking lamp.  The brake light illuminates all the time.  When we depress the brake pedal, the brake light in the back window comes on.  If the light switch is turned off the brake light work fine.  After changing out the bulb the bulb failure light went off but now my reverse light still do not work and the brake lights are acting up when the light switch is in the on postion.  Is there a reverse light switch in the model ( I have automatic transmission by the way).  Is it the bulb failure relay, or is there a master relay that may be going out.  My ground wires seem to be fine however, electrical issue are not my cup of tea.  Should I look into new assembly units?  I am purplexed, I love my volvo it has been good to me with very little problems?  I just moved to the east cost from Ca, can it be a proble with the change of weather?  Your help is very much appreciated.  Thank you Maureen

Answer
Maureen, if those clusters are faded, etc its probably time to change them anyway but there can be a few issues here.  If the bulb failure relay was bad, you would have no lights at all, check as well as the brake switch on the pedal.  Is your shifter stiff or is it loose?  There are 2 bushings that keep the shifter stiff. That also contributes to the revers lights not working.  If you have an assistant, move the shifter slowly up and down and see if the reverse lights flash on or not.  Let me know how it works out after you check those items.  Roger