Reverse Lights - NOW FIXED

[Cruz]

First up it's an early 83 1.9DG

I was told this evening that I don't have any reverse lights. God knows how long they have been off for, not that I need to have them.

So I checked the bulbs and they are fine as is the fuse in the engine bay (only one I could find was a white ceramic fuse inside a spring loaded holder, inside the black box on the left rear of the engine bay)

Is there anything else that would affect the reverse lights, like the earth at the crowns or the gearbox earth strap?

Or would I be right in assuming it is switch failure, or fuzzy connections at the switch (gleened from using the search facility)?

Just thought I would ask even though tomorrows weather forecast isn't one for doing anything about it

[tandemsandy]

Funnily enough we've had the same problem for months! If the weather's better here in Scotland than I'll have a look this weekend and if I find something useful I'll let you know!

Rob

[kevtherev]

usually the switch on the gearbox cruz

short the wires to find out

[psychonaut]

What Kev said. Over time, the spring-loaded thingymajig that screws into the gearbox is worn down to the point where the jggerypokery in the gearbox no longer act on it to complete the circuit and illuminate your reversing lights.

If it is that (and as Kev says, check first by shorting out the two wires that go into that switch) then Brickwerks sell them: -

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... rse+switch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cruz]

Thanks. When the rain stops I will have a gander (probably monday)

I have found a supplier for the early switch (brickwerks is late version)

[psychonaut]

Thanks. When the rain stops I will have a gander (probably monday)

I have found a supplier for the early switch (brickwerks is late version)

You're right too Cruz, I should have told you that. The early version (which I have on my box) is a much bigger diameter thread. What supplier did you find buddy?

[Cruz]

Early and late are the same except the late one had different wire connectors.

I got the 2 pin early version from gsf on ebay

[psychonaut]

Mmmmmm, mine is a much wider thread than all the others I've seen. Is my box alien?!

[Cruz]

Looking into it further there was a different M18 thread switch used on very early gearboxes where the switch was on the nosecone and not the side

http://www.vagcat.com/p/B004/142000.png" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Number 21 is the larger thread switch that was on the nose cone of very very early gearboxes

251 941 521


Number 21a is the most common one and has two versions and early and late.

Early type was a spade connector type 085941521


Late type 020945415A (if you have the above switch you need to upgrade the wiring connector to fit this switch)


(Above switch available from brickwerks with a wiring kit to convert the spade connectors)
Click for Brickwerks reverse switch

Click for Brickwerks Wiring kit

[tandemsandy]

Just had chance to check mine and yep, sort the switch contacts and the lights come on. Also ordered from GSF on ebay!

Rob

[Cruz]

The other day I shorted the wires and the reverse lights came on so I took the reverse switch off the gearbox and the lights did not come on when I pressed the switch. Switch knackered.

Got another switch (an exact copy of the old one) and fitted it to the wires to make sure it worked before screwing it in and it did.

So I screwed the switch into the gearbox and engaged reverse.........NO LIGHTS

Has something gone awry inside the gearbox?

[Cruz]

Well what would you know. There was a 2mm washer under the old switch that I thought was supposed to be there.

When I removed that washer the reverse lights now work.....DOH! What a dope

And for peeps information the GSF reverse switch works fine if yours is the spade connector type. It was made by Vemo if that means anything

[tandemsandy]

Brill, hopefully my switch will arrive in a few days. Will look out for rogue washers!

Rob

[tandemsandy]

Yay. we too have working reversing lights!!
And the washer was there too, but I wouldn't have noticed it without the advance warning, so many thanks.
Ours was the old style connectors, so I just cut them off and crimped 2 new spade terminals on.

Rob

[xpress]

my reverse switch broke off. what do I likely have on a c plate. very early or just early? thanks.