Have no reversing lights, any suggestions?

TechnoCorruption

TechnoCorruption

TechnoCorruption

Soldato
Joined
9 May 2005
Posts
2,511
Before I start let me just say that my knowledge of cars is pretty minimal so forgive me if I have overlooked something which others may class as the first thing they would check.

So to the point, my car is a R reg (1997 I think) Astra Arctic 1.6 Petrol and the reversing lights no longer work on it. I have tried looking at the bulbs and they seem fine, I have tested the bulbs and they both work correctly.

I have also tried other bulbs which are known to work and they don't work when placed in the reversing sockets, I have tried adjusting the bulb in the socket to see if its loose or there is a loose connection which had no luck.

Lastly I have replaced the fuse in the fuse box which has not solved it either, anyone else got any more suggestions?
 
There should be a "reversing light switch" on the gearbox somewhere, that's the next thing I'd check. Make sure the connections to the switch are ok, they might be corroded. Can you check the function of the switch using a multimeter?
 
Phil W said:
Checked the fuse?
Click to expand...

Agr3sive said:
Lastly I have replaced the fuse in the fuse box which has not solved it either, anyone else got any more suggestions?
Click to expand...


under the bonnet, yes.

open the bonnet, look at the engine. one end will have actual engine and the other will have the gearbox. box is often on the right hand side.

it should be easy to spot as it has a large metal casing on it called a bell housing. its bell shaped
 
Phil W said:
Checked the fuse?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't think it was blown but I swapped it anyway with no luck.

GeX said:
under the bonnet, yes.

open the bonnet, look at the engine. one end will have actual engine and the other will have the gearbox. box is often on the right hand side.

it should be easy to spot as it has a large metal casing on it called a bell housing. its bell shaped
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I remember seeing that last time I opened the bonnet, I will go and have a look now.
 
kk. i don't know them cars at all, so can't advise on where the switch should be. but just look for some wires coming out of the gearbox. there shouldnt really be that many. just the reverse light switch and maybe the speedo sensor if it is digital.
 
If you're not sure where it is, take a picture of the gearbox and post it up here!

If you can remove the wiring connector to the switch you can use a small length of wire or similar to test the rest of the circuit by connecting the terminals within the connector together.
 
Well I found the gearbox and saw what I presumed is the wire that you were talking about, it has two wires going into a connector which I took off, cleaned up and re-attached.

I did not find a switch as such though, on the same side of the gearbox where the rod goes in was a small piece of metal sticking out with a metal coil going around it. When pressing the metal it does go in and out but not like a switch where there is difference between on and off.

I would have taken a picture but I don't have access to a digital camera at the moment.
 
the bit with the wires coming out sounds like the right thing. u won't see the switch itself as it is inside the gearbox.
 
Agr3sive said:
Ah right, I guess it is not that then as both wires are firmly placed in the connector, and the connector is now clean and firmly placed in the socket.
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Remove the connector and short the terminals in the connector together with the ignition on, your reversing lights should come on.
 
I forgot to reply back with the results :o

I tried shorting the cable as suggested above and exactly like predicted the reversing lights came on. I sprayed some WD40 in the end of the connector and also onto the socket, made sure the cable was in tight and now they work fine.

Thanks to all that helped me with this :)
 
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