Reversing Light wont work

[dozzum]

Checked the fuse and thats OK.
Pulled the plug off the gearbox and there are 4 pins, 2 i think are earths and 2 i think are lives. I only get 7-8 V off each live though. Ive tried bridging the pins in various combinations and cant get the lights to come on.
Any ideas???

[Joe87]

I always find it helps to check a wiring diagram to see where any potential problems may be.

[lenny125]

I got 4 pins on my reverse light switch too two wires do the rear lights and the other two does the mpg gauge in the dash. Once you go in fifth gear it switches the mpg gauge on. I had no reverse ligths on mine I just used a little bit of wire to bridge the connections just try them all and see what happens. On mine I did find out it was the switch but I still have not replaced it yet lol If it is your switch I think GSF still do them thats where I got mine from.

[Nate]

reverse switches do seem to be quite a common failing

[dozzum]

What i dont understand though is that i get 12v from two of the pins so if i bridge the right ones then the reversing lights should come on surely???

[Nate]

have you got a haynes book of lies? if so, find the wiring diagram for your model and work out what colour the wires are supposed to be for the reverse switch, then bridge those 2 and see what happens.

i am also assuming that you've already checked the bulbs are good!

[rustys_rocco]

its not an mot failure if thats what your worried about?

[jbo]

Hi Mate,

I had constant problems with failed reverse light switches! And even worse I sheered the head of the bolts?!?! Aarrgghh!!!

Make a note of where the wires go on the switch. Pull them both out and short them together. If the lights come on then its a dodgey switch. These fail all the time and really dont like water. It doesnt help theyre underneath your expansion tank.

If you are after a switch then ive got a spare one from my 8v? I was planning on keeping it as a spare because they always fail but mines a two pin. Yours posted for £15. That's how much I paid for it and i know theyre quite a bit new.

It's also a good idea to put loadsss of vaseline over the pins, keeps the water out.

Jason

[GTXTRA]

also check the actual plungers on switch - gtl lights stopped working a few weeks back and after checking fuse and cleaning connections etc etc i took switch out of gearbox and cleaned the plunger.

sorted.

[lenny125]

also check the actual plungers on switch - gtl lights stopped working a few weeks back and after checking fuse and cleaning connections etc etc i took switch out of gearbox and cleaned the plunger.

sorted.

How did you undo the bolts, mine had got torq's head bolts in and I can't get to them without taking the gearbox mount off as that it is in the way.
Don't mind taking the gearbox mount off, it has just turned into one of the jobs to do at a later point when I have time.
I thought you had a techinic to do it or it has different bolts what holds it on.

[GTXTRA]

also check the actual plungers on switch - gtl lights stopped working a few weeks back and after checking fuse and cleaning connections etc etc i took switch out of gearbox and cleaned the plunger.

sorted.

How did you undo the bolts, mine had got torq's head bolts in and I can't get to them without taking the gearbox mount off as that it is in the way.
Don't mind taking the gearbox mount off, it has just turned into one of the jobs to do at a later point when I have time.
I thought you had a techinic to do it or it has different bolts what holds it on.

just used a socket - having said that much easier access on the gtl to top of gearbox - the injected cars a right pain with all the induction kit in the way.

on the 16v i gave up until car on ramp down at Tims.

[lenny125]

also check the actual plungers on switch - gtl lights stopped working a few weeks back and after checking fuse and cleaning connections etc etc i took switch out of gearbox and cleaned the plunger.

sorted.

How did you undo the bolts, mine had got torq's head bolts in and I can't get to them without taking the gearbox mount off as that it is in the way.
Don't mind taking the gearbox mount off, it has just turned into one of the jobs to do at a later point when I have time.
I thought you had a techinic to do it or it has different bolts what holds it on.

just used a socket - having said that much easier access on the gtl to top of gearbox - the injected cars a right pain with all the induction kit in the way.

on the 16v i gave up until car on ramp down at Tims.

Ok thanks Sir I think it will be a job later on then.