Rear fog rocker switch 'tell tale' - MOT Fail

[ian135wright]

OK, so i have a German import T25 1990 and it has just failed its MOT on something so tiny as my rear fog rocker switch tell tale -;not working properly'.

Firstly, has anyone else experienced this?

I took the switch off and then the dash cover and it doesn't even look like its wired up to light. Research tells me that that this is not a requirement in germany, hence, no light.

Anyone any ideas how I can get it through MOT? I have til Monday nect week to get it sorted for a free re-test.

Be interested in any of your expert advice.

Thanks in advance.

[kevtherev]

replace the switch with a UK switch?
fit a bulb on the dash connect to the swtched live and ground it to the dash?

[kevtherev]

Fit a new switch with a built in tell-tale. Just a thought, how did you move the light from the left side to the right side?

buy a RHD lamp box?

[1664]

You say it's 'not working properly'; do you mean the existing switch does have an indicator lamp built in and it doesn't work or that the existing switch doesn't have an indicator lamp?

[1664]

Right, I've had a look at mine. Does yours look like this? You can barely see the tell tale indicator lamp with it in the OFF position.



It's a three position switch; OFF, centre position, and rear fog and indicator lamp ON. I assume the centre position is for front fogs but I don't have any fitted so it does bugger all on my van. In order for it to switch the fog light on and light the indicator lamp you have to have the headlights switched on and the ignition on too. Even then it hardly jumps out and bites you on the nose.



This is the wiring behind mine. The white plug with the three wires (White/Yellow, Grey/White and Grey/Yellow) is related to the relay and fog light and is not relevant to the indicator lamp. The single brown cable plugged into the small black protrusion is the earth for the indicator light and according to the Haynes Manual electrical diagram goes to the dash panel earth connection; unfortunately I have no idea where that is located, but any part of the vehicle metalwork will do.



The actual page from the Haynes Manual, K17 is the indicator lamp. If the earth to this is OK then I reckon you'll have to sort a replacement switch as the electrical switched feed to the indicator lamp is internal to the switch itself.

[jaybeeonline]

I would check if the bulb and holder are present on the back of the switch, as mines is missing and haven't got a clue where to get one


J.

[1664]

I would check if the bulb and holder are present on the back of the switch, as mines is missing and haven't got a clue where to get one

Oh can you dismantle the switch then? I assumed it was a sealed unit. Does that small black protrusion on the back unplug or something?

[mike the van]

Yes you can take the switch apart,
If the switch lights up then you need to twist the bulb holder out, if not, then the back plate is held in with 4 small lugs that catch in the main body of the switch, you can gently prise the back out with a thin screwdriver, watch out for all the springs and contacts and try and remember that the order they go back. Can be all cleaned up and a new bulbs fitted, they go black and dim out over time

Mike

[1664]

That's good to know - cheers

although it is working at the mo

[pirate-pete]

You can also put a bit of yellow or red insulating tape on the face of the switch where the LED is so the tape shows when in ON position but is hidden in OFF position.

See note 1b in the test manual here http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_130.htm

[nevill3]

Here are a couple of switches I found on Ebay ......they are not mine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T25-Switch ... 2c5fa38fc7

[1664]

........another one to add to 'The List'

[Ralf85]

My van was build in 1984 and is a German LHD import which also has no wiring or relay at the back of the fuse box for a fog light. When did fog lights become a required fixture in Germany? Does anybody know?

Patrick