Reverse Lights not working

[V4052]

Dear All
My reverse Lights on my 2002 v40 aren't working.
21W bulbs are fine and work fine when i try them as brake lights.
The reverse lights are on the tailgate, the tail lights and fog lights are on the same assembly and these work fine.
Reading the handbook there is nothing which tells me that one fuse could be responsible for the reverse lights only, so i'm basically at a loss as to what to try now.
Any experience/advice welcome and appreciated
Thanks Ed

[ijmorrison]

Had this on an old ford years ago ... there should be a switch around your gear box that when you hit reverse it depressed .. this switches on your reverse lights.

Probably worth a quick hunt round the gear stick area to see if there's anything with a couple of wires in it if not it should be on top of the gearbox.

If you're lucky maybe just a loose connection but even not I don't think the switches are a huge amount of money .. well not on other cars anyway lol

Iain

[gatos]

Most probably your reversing light switch in the gearbox is mulfunctioning. What engine size and type do you have?

[V4052]

Thanks for replying, it's a 2002 1.8 petrol, Sounds like the switch, I shall have a go!!

[Volvon]

I had this issue, replaced the reverse switch on the the gearbox, still didn't work. After starting from the back of the car tracing all the cabling to the front, I finally found about a 3cm section of the reverse switch wire had corroded under the plastic spirawrap covering in the engine bay.

[gatos]

Originally Posted by V4052

Thanks for replying, it's a 2002 1.8 petrol, Sounds like the switch, I shall have a go!!

Depending on which gearbox you have, the switch will be either under the gearbox mount (M56 gearbox) or under the gearbox (M5P gearbox)

[V4052]

Thanks again, it's an m56 gearbox. One issue I've got is not having my radio code. I bought car few months ago and it isn't among any of the books n paperwork! Any advice on that before I take battery put to get to the reverse light switch? Or will I just have to call Volvo dealer for this. Thank you

[gatos]

Any volvo dealer can give you the code over the phone for free.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by V4052

Dear All
My reverse Lights on my 2002 v40 aren't working.
21W bulbs are fine and work fine when i try them as brake lights.
The reverse lights are on the tailgate, the tail lights and fog lights are on the same assembly and these work fine.
Reading the handbook there is nothing which tells me that one fuse could be responsible for the reverse lights only, so i'm basically at a loss as to what to try now.
Any experience/advice welcome and appreciated
Thanks Ed

Regardless of what the book says I would check the fuses first, before looking at other potential causes (If a fuse is blown, you can't read the number).

[Darlo 1]

If it is the switch make sure you get a used switch analysis done on it.