Golf Mk IV reverse lights
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From: Angus on 20 May 2010 15:16 My 2001 Golf Mk IV (TDI) has a reversing lights issue. I used to see them flash biefly off as I reversed on to my drive (reflected in the garage door) and not worry too much about it. But the "off" period got longer, and I investigated (wiggled) the rear light cluster wiring, but could find no obvious problem. Is there a switch attached somehow to the gear stick that can wear out? Anybody had experience of this or have a suggestion? Apart from street-legal issues, those lights are a great way for people to understand your intentions when they see the lights on, and the car stationary, otherwise they just think you've stopped for no apparent reason. :) Cheers.
From: Mrcheerful on 20 May 2010 15:43 Angus wrote: > My 2001 Golf Mk IV (TDI) has a reversing lights issue. I used to see > them flash biefly off as I reversed on to my drive (reflected in the > garage door) and not worry too much about it. But the "off" period got > longer, and I investigated (wiggled) the rear light cluster wiring, > but could find no obvious problem. Is there a switch attached somehow > to the gear stick that can wear out? > > Anybody had experience of this or have a suggestion? > > Apart from street-legal issues, those lights are a great way for > people to understand your intentions when they see the lights on, and > the car stationary, otherwise they just think you've stopped for no > apparent reason. :) > > Cheers. there is no legal requirement for reverse lights. the switch will be on the gearbox somewhere (usually) if you are really mean then just put on a manual switch.
From: Chris Whelan on 20 May 2010 15:47 On Thu, 20 May 2010 20:16:21 +0100, Angus wrote: > My 2001 Golf Mk IV (TDI) has a reversing lights issue. I used to see > them flash biefly off as I reversed on to my drive (reflected in the > garage door) and not worry too much about it. But the "off" period got > longer, and I investigated (wiggled) the rear light cluster wiring, but > could find no obvious problem. Is there a switch attached somehow to the > gear stick that can wear out? > > Anybody had experience of this or have a suggestion? > > Apart from street-legal issues, those lights are a great way for people > to understand your intentions when they see the lights on, and the car > stationary, otherwise they just think you've stopped for no apparent > reason. :) > > Cheers. There are no "street-legal issues", unless they were staying on when you moved forwards. They are not a legal requirement. Fault-finding electrics requires at least a basic means of testing, whether that's some sort of meter, or a 12v lamp with a couple of bits of wire soldered to it. On the (possibly mistaken) assumption that you've checked/replaced the bulb, and done the same with the fuse(F7, 10A), select reverse, turn ignition on, and test for voltage as close to the bulb terminals as you can. Use the same earth that the bulb uses. No voltage? Physically trace the loom to the nearest multi-connector, and check for voltage at each side of the connector. Still no voltage? Locate the switch. It will most likely be on the transmission, and will have two wires going to it. The live feed is coloured red/green, and the switched wire is black/blue. Check voltages here. To determine if the switch is at fault, disconnect its multi-plug and short the two wires together. If you can't sort it from here, you may be better off getting professional help. My best guess? Corrosion in or around the rear light cluster. Chris -- Remove prejudice to reply.
From: Angus on 23 May 2010 12:35 In article <YkgJn.104592$Pf6.24570(a)newsfe12.ams2>, cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com says... > > On Thu, 20 May 2010 20:16:21 +0100, Angus wrote: > > > My 2001 Golf Mk IV (TDI) has a reversing lights issue. I used to see > > them flash biefly off as I reversed on to my drive (reflected in the > > garage door) > > On the (possibly mistaken) assumption that you've checked/replaced the > bulb, and done the same with the fuse(F7, 10A), select reverse, turn > ignition on, and test for voltage as close to the bulb terminals as you > can. Thanks guys. I don't think its the fuse or bulb gone because it intermittently works, as I reverse on to the drive and (gently) bump over the small curb the reverse lights flash once or twice. In fact I turned the ignition on, put it in reverse just now and with the tailgate open, pushed down on the boot floor to rock the car up and down on its suspension, and the reverse lights briefly come on, indeed they seem to go on and off in time with the rocking motion. I had a look underneath the car and gather the gearbox is hidden away behind covers? Or is the relevant part (if I knew what I was looking for) accessible from the bonnet.
From: Neil - Usenet on 24 May 2010 13:49
"Angus" <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote in message news:MPG.2663698ffba16d47989730(a)news.demon.co.uk... > In article <YkgJn.104592$Pf6.24570(a)newsfe12.ams2>, > cawhelan(a)prejudicentlworld.com says... >> >> On Thu, 20 May 2010 20:16:21 +0100, Angus wrote: >> >> > My 2001 Golf Mk IV (TDI) has a reversing lights issue. I used to see >> > them flash biefly off as I reversed on to my drive (reflected in the >> > garage door) >> >> On the (possibly mistaken) assumption that you've checked/replaced the >> bulb, and done the same with the fuse(F7, 10A), select reverse, turn >> ignition on, and test for voltage as close to the bulb terminals as you >> can. > > Thanks guys. > > I don't think its the fuse or bulb gone because it intermittently works, > as I reverse on to the drive and (gently) bump over the small curb the > reverse lights flash once or twice. > > In fact I turned the ignition on, put it in reverse just now and with > the tailgate open, pushed down on the boot floor to rock the car up and > down on its suspension, and the reverse lights briefly come on, indeed > they seem to go on and off in time with the rocking motion. > > I had a look underneath the car and gather the gearbox is hidden away > behind covers? Or is the relevant part (if I knew what I was looking > for) accessible from the bonnet. reverse light switch on gr/box, about 6quid. |