Volvo 240 License Plate Bulb Size

The Volvo 240 license plate light requires bulb size 3893 or DE3423 depending on the specific version of the component. Data for 1990 through 1993 provides the specific bulb size information for the vehicle.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1992-1993	DE3423
1990-1991	3893

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base, specialty application. 12V.	3893

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volvo 240 uses two distinct bulb types across its license plate lighting specifications: the DE3423 for the 1992-1993 model years and the 3893 for the 1990-1991 model years.
The DE3423 is a festoon-style bulb measuring 41mm in length with end-cap contacts, meaning electrical contact is made at both ends of the bulb rather than through a base socket.
The 3893 uses a BAY15d bayonet base, a two-pin offset base design that locks into its socket with a twist, and is classified as a specialty application bulb.
Both the DE3423 and the 3893 operate at 12 volts and conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada.
The 3893 is a dual-filament bulb, a characteristic that is atypical for license plate lighting, which ordinarily requires only a single-filament source.
The festoon form factor of the DE3423 is physically incompatible with the BAY15d bayonet socket used by the 3893, making the two bulb types non-interchangeable despite sharing the same voltage rating.
The BAY15d base of the 3893 features two pins set at different heights, a design that prevents incorrect insertion by ensuring the bulb can only be seated in one orientation.