Volvo S60 2010-2018 Third Brake Light Disassembly and Repair

Open the rear doors. Pull the rubber door gaskets down and release them partially.

Do the same on the other side, too.

Use a flat blade screwdriver and carefully pry open the cover by folding it down.

Using a T25 torx screwdriver remove the screw inside the hole.

Pry the trim panel away, you don't need to remove it completely.

Do the same for the other side panel, too.

Use a flat blade screwdriver and pry open the handle screw cover.

Use an 8mm socket driver to remove both screws.

Do the same for the other side, too.

Using a flat trim removal tool, rotate the left headliner retaining plastic dowel 90 degrees clockwise and pull it out.

Do the same for the other side, too.

Using your fingers rotate the center trim cover 90 degrees clockwise and pull it out.

Gently pull the headliner down, try not deforming it. Pry open slightly.

Gently pull the brake light assembly out and rotate it in place counter-clockwise to access the cable plug.

Press the marked tab on the green plastic cable plug and remove it.

Don't forget, the most difficult part during this operation will be reconnecting this plug.

The cable is very short and it is better reconnect it with someone helping you.

Start working on the brake light assembly.

Using a small flat-blade screwdriver push the tabs to release the LED strip circuitry.

Push with fingers from the other side and the plug connector.

Prying the long edges of the plastic apart helps, too.

I pulled the plastic power connector to reveal the power studs.

Here the ground stud had a broken solder joint.

Scratch the surrounding ground plane to increase soldering area and apply flux.

Solder the stud back properly.

While you are here, apply flux and fresh solder on the other stud, too.

The rubber light shield does not stay put, so use a strong flexible adhesive to glue it back.