Reversing lights don't stay on

[jnoshea]

Has this ever happened to anyone else? The revering lights only come on when I push the gear lever back as far as it will go.  When I then let it relax into the position it wants to be in, the lights go out again.  Anyone know why the lever would have stopped making contact in this position?

[TimM]

Mine does exactly the same, the lights come on and then stay on for 'a few' seconds, then go out, but if I pull the lever and hold it back they stay on......

Have bought a new reversing light switch (off eblag) but as it screws into the gearbox I haven't got round to fitting it yet.

If you (or we now!) don't here better, I will let you know if that cures it.

[Budgie]

You should be able to adjust the depth of the switch, thus adjusting when it is in the "ON" position. Try screwing the switch in a little more and see if it make a difference.
I'll look it up later this afternoon and see if I'm talking a load of rubbish or not!  

[TimM]

Budgie,

I thnk that is only on the 200 series (the LT77), ours are 300 Series (on the R380 gearbox), which you screw home fully with no adjustment.

But thanks for the suggestion, I remember seeing the adjustment on my Rave CD and in Haynes, and getting awfully confused that my bits were different.

[jnoshea]

Mine does exactly the same, the lights come on and then stay on for 'a few' seconds, then go out, but if I pull the lever and hold it back they stay on......

Have bought a new reversing light switch (off eblag) but as it screws into the gearbox I haven't got round to fitting it yet.

If you (or we now!) don't here better, I will let you know if that cures it.

Thanks Tim, how much is a new switch?

[hobbit]

Depending on how much you need the reversing lights, you could always fit a illuminated switch into the system, then use them when required

[TimM]

Thanks Tim, how much is a new switch?

Sorry James, No idea, I managed to steal mine brand new on eblag for 99p

Not sure how much they should cost....

[jnoshea]

Depending on how much you need the reversing lights, you could always fit a illuminated switch into the system, then use them when required

I hardly ever notice them not working.  When I really need them I just pull back on the gear lever a bit more to keep the on.  Is this good enough to pass the MOT do you think, or will I have to fix it by then?

[TimM]

I suppose you (or we!) don't have automatic reversing lights, but have the option to turn them on or off...

Not sure what the MOT rules say, mine is due in the moddle of November, and this might be when I get the switch fitted.

If you haven't got a good answer by then I will let you know.

[hobbit]

Think you'll find they are not tested on the mot, unless they've changed it again

[Leigh]

Exactly the same happens on my 300tdi. Will be interesteing what the mot man says

[thumbs]

mine does the same, aint got round to haveing a look at it yet

reverse lights are not part of the mot so dont worry

[gecko]

mine just past mot with the same thing

[oilburningcossack]

just read your line of chat no the reversing lights are not tested on a mot unless they are on a dash switch in which case the switch must light when lights are on. Hope this helps.(mines just passed)

[jnoshea]

Excellent  :D That's one less thing to worry about when the MOT comes 'round then  8)

[TimM]

Right:

Had my MOT, no mention of the reversing lights  

Had the new switch fitted...... still no reversing lights  

Will need to have a rethink now!

 

[Wanderer]

Have you metered the old switch in case the new one is faulty?
It's not unheard of faulty new stuff.
If the old one works then you need to look elsewhere.

[TimM]

No, and it's too late now  

I was far to trusting - and lazy - so I got it fitted whist it was in the garage for something else.

Old switch now gone, new one in and possibly not working.

The car sits outside (in the cold/dark/snow) so I'm going to ignore it for a while and have a go in the spring when I can do it without 14 layers of clothes on.

The lights are the same as before (like James'), they come on if you hold the lever back, so I'll carry on like that.

[Wanderer]

Get you arms and leads in there and meter the new switch in situ.
You might need a proper meter with long leads.
Get someone to put the car in reverse (without the engine running) and see what happens.

If it works look elsewhere.

If not kick the garage and join the club that don't trust garages to do anything on their motor.

[TimM]

You might need a proper meter with long leads.

No, in this weather what I need is someone to do it for me whilst I watch from inside the house (infront of the fire with a cup of coffee)  :lol: .

I can see this one staying as it is until the weather improves, the switch was from eblag so I've no comback on the seller ( ).

[K9Jim]

greetings.
i have spoken to my local landy man  :D
this is a very common problem, it is not always the reverse switch. there is an adjustment that needs doing to the gear stick itself, it just needs moving over a slightly. i am not exactly sure how this is done but i will find out for us all.  

[jnoshea]

Thanks Jimboy, I haven't done anything about mine yet so I'm all ears.

[ben_haynes]

Depending on how much you need the reversing lights, you could always fit a illuminated switch into the system, then use them when required

I hardly ever notice them not working.  When I really need them I just pull back on the gear lever a bit more to keep the on.  Is this good enough to pass the MOT do you think, or will I have to fix it by then?

By law you do not need reversing lights for an MOT but the police check them when they pull you over

[ben_haynes]

whilst we are on the issue of reverse lights what do i need to do to stop the lights coming on when i put it in 1st and 2nd gears 200tdi (LT77 G/Box ??)

is it a matter of just adjusting the switch or something else

[TimM]

Possibly/probably,

The swtich on yours is adjustable, try unscrewing it a little.