[Mk2] [Generic] Reverse Lights don't work (fuse,switch,bulbs ok)

[Deezee]

OK, pretty much as the title. I checked the knowledge base article, regarding fault finding the reverse lights.

I checked my bulbs, both ok.
I checked the fuse, its fine.
I checked the switch & bridged the connector during testing. OK.

So what else is there? I've been going through this again and again. To me it sounds like a broken wire, or some feed has been disconnected somewhere. I can't afford an auto electrician to fix it, but I have no idea what wires to check with my multimeter.

[toxo]

I'm sure there's a switch on the gearbox (like the speed sender one which is yellow) that turns on the circuit when you stick it in reverse.

[Deezee]

Yeah, I've checked the switch. like I said, I've followed the fault finding guide from the knowledge base. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the loom.

[Slarty]

I checked the switch & bridged the connector during testing. OK.

When you say OK, do you mean that the lights did or did not come on when you bridged the plug on the wiring loom?

[Deezee]

Sorry, the reverse lights don't come on. What I mean, is that it passed a continuity test on the multimeter when the reverse gear was engaged.

[Slarty]

Ok, with you now

A couple of things to check. These won't be easy as I know (only too well!) how restricted access is.

Remove the plug from the reverse light switch and see if you have power to either prong of the plug. You may well need a small bit of wire (paper clip would probably do quite well) to push into the connector before hand. Check to see if you have power on either one of the connections.

If not, you'll need to trace the wiring back.

If you have power there, the following;

The wire that doesn't have power obviously goes to the lights. Replace this with some wire of your own. It doesn't carry much current so no need to go over board. Pull the rear lights and find said wire from the reverse light switch. Plug/patch your wire into here.

If it now works, the original wiring has failed somewhere along the line and you can replace accordingly.

If it still doesn't work, you most likely have an earthing fault.

G/L