Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, 2.1 Syncro 87 ... Reverse lights don't work ... And perhaps haven't in years ???
Think I found the switch ( left side of the gearbox on the end of a little oil pump type unit ) two wire going to it ... Connected these together and nothing ... Meter across the connections when in reverse and no power there ?? ..fuse 15 (10amp) looks good ... Andy ideas ?????

If it's the same as mine;
You need to take out the switch by the gearbox (with the twin spade connector).
Give it a clean and refit but just do it up hand tight then tighten slowly while in reverse until the light goes on.

Failing that, remove the washer and tighten it

Thanks

or replace the switch. They don't last forever due to their exposure to the elements and the rubber cover invariably vanishes.

If you have no power at the switch changing it will not help. You are going to have to check back till you get power.
Check power to ground at the switch contact with them shorted.
If you have power there it is in the lights if no power it's between the switch and the fuses.
Don't forget to switch the ign on.

There will be no voltage difference across the two connections when the switch is operated!
Check the voltage between each connection and earth to get a voltage reading.
You will not get an amps reading either if the power is actually flowing through the switch when operated.

Testing regimen seems suspect! What and how are you testing exactly?

Connecting the 2 connectors together does suggest firstly no power reaching switch though, but without checking power correctly it is only guessing at the problem.

If you have bridged the switch connections out and the lights no cometh on, then it almost definitely NOT the switch anyway ..... I seem to remember there is a inline fuse to the reverse lights , but not sure if that's just on early vans, which as yours is a syncro it won't be .....
I also was under the impression the switch is neg not pos, and there is per inane live to the actual lights , but it's a long time since I have messed with reversing lights on these vans , so I might be remembering wrongly

( will look at wiring diagrams when I'm not on my phone screen )

Just out of interest where is the inline fuse located?
Cheers

Hi All.
I have the same problem ( no reverse lights) owners manual says there is an in-line fuse in the fuse box in engine bay.... there's not though. all the fuses in the front fuse box are ok. Anyone know of any common problems or which fuse is for the reverse lights?
might just try a new switch & see if that cures it,
Cheers

As above, with ignition on, crawl underneath and bridge the two wires on switch (with a pal checking to see if they come on). Then you know its switch.

Any idea which fuse it is ?? there's definitely not a fuse at the rear fuse box in engine bay .

Number 12 - if it IS the fuse. However, horn is on same fuse so if horn works.....

Thanks.. fuse is ok & horn works,will have to have a fiddle about & test switch,
cheers Kev

Like rad fan switches they have a lifespan somewhere between a week on Wednesday and 10 years.

Fitted a new switch today ... we have lights