Volvo: 97 volvo 850 taillights, volvo 850, problen

Question
hi ray, i have a 97 850 glt wagon the problen is that on the lower lights i have no back up or brake lights(only the lower one does not work). my question is can the part that holds the bulbs can those go bad?   thank you for your time     steve

Answer
Steve,
I have not to date seen a bulb holder go bad. That is not say if someone maybe mishandled it at some point, bent the tabs that hold the bulb or supply the ground or current. That is however not a wear item. I have seen on older model cars the plastic melt and then the bulb will not make a good contact. Inspect and use a test light to check for power.