Linkage to reversing light switch

[RichardU8]

Have had no rev'g lights for some time. They ork when switch is bypassed.
Changed switch but still no joy. Assume mecanical link to switch at fault?
Any ideas for a fix please?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Do a search of the forum.
There was a thread where the new one had a washer on which prevented contact iirc?

[RichardU8]

No washer on this switch on my MV engined 1987 LHD.

Does anyone have another theory please?

[tandemsandy]

The washer isn't obvious at all. I'd never have realised one was there had I not been warned on an earlier thread. It looked part of the gearbox, held firmly in place by years of corrosion & gunk. Try a stanley knife, you might be amazed that there a washer there!

If not, then don't know!!!

Rob

[CovKid]

Purchased by any chance from GSF? I bought one recently which started to fall apart after just a week. To confirm, unscrew it again and with a mutlimeter or even a battery and bulb - check that the switch actually works.

If you touch the two terminals that go to switch together, do lights work then?

[RichardU8]

Switch (not GSF type) works when pushed by hand ( finger ).
But when installed rev. lights don't come on when reverse gear is engaged (with ignition on).
Does this mean something mechanical inside the gearbox is awry ?

[CovKid]

Less likely but possible I suppose. I repaired my GSF one (using a hard setting epoxy to ensure terminals don't work loose in future. I suppose you could try sliding a narrow steel rod into switch orifice and see if when you engage reverse, the rod actually moves (need two people for this obviously) It could be that the switch needs a lot more travel to operate (hence the washer on or off scenario). I refitted mine this morning and found that with washer off, reversing lights were permanently on so added washers of varying thicknesses to find a point where they came on as soon as I engaged reverse but definately off when it moved to neutral. I think these switches vary a lot depending on who was on the assembly line or in quality control that day.

It does sound as though you're close to isolating the problem, you just need to look more closely I think. Could even be that the new switch is wrong one. There are several in the VW range. I was originally sold one from a completely different vehicle because it had been put on the wrong shelf. Had to take it back.

As an afterthought, I would imagine that it would be possible to rig up a switch that is engaged beneath gear lever if this really is a gearbox issue.

[RichardU8]

Thanks to CovKid and others for helpful ideas

[Cruz]

have you 100% checked that there is not a washer or washers corroded to the gearbox?

As previously said by someone else my old switch went pop and when I fitted my new gsf vemo switch it did not work at first, thought lights operated when I depressed the switch by hand. I then noticed after a bit of scraping that two washers were stuck to the gearbox housing. Once these were removed the switch worked and has done for 4 months.