Reverse lights stuck on

[keithrg]

Was hopeing bulbs was the issue when reverse lights where not working but found no bulbs fitted. I fitted bulbs and they lit straight up even with the car in 1st.
1 It could be crossed wire, Two the gearbox switch stuck, three, stuck relay.
Have taped them over for now and use hazards whilst reversing.
Any pointers as to where to start looking for fault appriciated.
Might chuck in a manaul switch tomorrow as a tempary measure.

thanks

[4 forty]

as you have given no indication as to the year and engine size of your car, there are two different gearboxes the m56 is the cable operated one and has the reverse light switch on the top, visable just under the air filter housing,the others have the switch on the bottom of the gearbox, check that the contact is not stuck in the on position due to dirt.

[keithrg]

Originally Posted by 4 forty

as you have given no indication as to the year and engine size of your car, there are two different gearboxes the m56 is the cable operated one and has the reverse light switch on the top, visable just under the air filter housing,the others have the switch on the bottom of the gearbox, check that the contact is not stuck in the on position due to dirt.

Its a manaul 1996 13 engine 1.8i v40i

[4 forty]

your switch should be on the bottom of the gearbox, check the wiring to the switch has not been damaged causing it to stay on, detach the conectors on the switch, if the reverse light goes out, it is a faulty switch

[keithrg]

Originally Posted by 4 forty

your switch should be on the bottom of the gearbox, check the wiring to the switch has not been damaged causing it to stay on, detach the conectors on the switch, if the reverse light goes out, it is a faulty switch

Just need it to stop raining and dry up know

[Thassos]

Hi Keith,

4 forty is right, its a switch on the gearbox on manual cars, i had to replace mine on my old S40 2.0T , as i recall the switch has a pip on the end that is moved by something in the gearbox selector area. Mine had worn down on the switch end so the reversing lights wouldnt come on. Good luck with that, as 4 forty says best to unplug, or perhaps test with a link across the switch terminals before un screwing the gearbox switch.

[Volvon]

Rather than tape them up there is a fuse just for the reverse lights in the divers footwell fusebox. Simply remove this and it will disable the lights until you can fix the problem.

[keithrg]

Originally Posted by hyvää

Rather than tape them up there is a fuse just for the reverse lights in the divers footwell fusebox. Simply remove this and it will disable the lights until you can fix the problem.

Ive removed the bulbs. As if the lenses are shown and the lights dont work its a fixed penalty notice from plod, not to mention in an accident if it happened would complicate matters. cheers though Uk legislation.

[keithrg]

Its the switch unplugged it they went out. Wires all look good. Operated switch manaully and it moved but lights stayed on. Thanks all. It was a bugger to undo.

[Volvon]

The reverse lights aren't a part of the MOT so by rights you never need fix them. But of course it's an annoyance and slightly dangerous in supermarket car parks if they don't work.

Mine passed the MOT without Reverse Lights, I have the opposite problem as in they hardly work, for some reason the fuse keeps blowing although its only every few weeks which I can live with. Though in a few months when I convert the car from Uk to Finnish I have a feeling their version of MOT will be more stringent.