Volvo 242 Dome Light Bulb Size

The Volvo 242 dome light utilizes 6411 and DE3423 bulb sizes for interior illumination. Available data covers the range from 1975 through 1984 for the specified vehicle components.

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
1981-1984	6411
1975-1980	DE3423

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volvo 242 dome light uses two festoon bulb types across its model years: the 6411 for 1981-1984 and the DE3423 for 1975-1980.
A festoon bulb is a cylindrical lamp that makes electrical contact at both ends of its body rather than through a side-mounted base pin, which is a common format for interior dome lighting in automotive applications.
The 6411 bulb carries an SV8.5 base designation, referring to a smooth-ended cap with a specific contact configuration, and has a body length of 36mm.
The DE3423 uses end-cap contacts and has a body length of 41mm, making it physically longer than the 6411.
Both bulb types operate on a 12-volt circuit, consistent with standard automotive electrical systems.
The 6411 is rated at 5 watts, while the DE3423 specification does not include a wattage rating.
Both the 6411 and DE3423 conform to ANSI standards applicable to the United States and Canada markets.
The 6411 and DE3423 are not interchangeable. The difference in body length (36mm versus 41mm) and base type means each bulb is specific to the fixture it was designed to fit.