Volvo 144 Dome Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The DE3423 and 211-2 are the most frequently specified dome light bulbs across the Volvo 144 model years covered, with 211-2 appearing in four consecutive years from 1967-1969 and 1972, and DE3423 appearing in three years spanning 1970-1971 and 1974.
• Both the DE3423 and 211-2 are festoon-type bulbs with a 41mm length, meaning they are cylindrical lamps that seat between two spring-loaded end contacts within the fixture housing.
• Although the DE3423 and 211-2 share the same 41mm festoon form factor and 12V rating, they differ in their base type: the 211-2 uses an SV8.5 base, while the DE3423 uses end-cap contacts, which affects physical interchangeability between the two.
• The 211-2 carries a rated output of 12W, making it the highest-wattage bulb specified across all Volvo 144 dome light applications in these records.
• The 1895 bulb specified for the 1973 Volvo 144 is a T5 miniature wedge type, a fundamentally different construction from the festoon bulbs used in surrounding model years, and it is not physically interchangeable with either the DE3423 or 211-2.
• The 1895 operates at 12V and 0.9W, a substantially lower wattage than the 211-2, reflecting its classification as a miniature indicator-grade lamp rather than a primary illumination source.
• All three bulb types carry ANSI standard designations applicable to the US and Canadian markets, indicating conformance to standardized electrical and dimensional specifications for those regions.
• The SV8.5 base designation on the 211-2 refers to a festoon base with an 8.5mm contact width, a detail relevant when sourcing a replacement, as festoon bulbs with differing base widths will not seat correctly in the same socket.