Fixing reverse lights

[Matteh]

A while ago my reverse lights went

Its not the bulbs or the fuses so i think it must be the little switch in the gear box

How easy is it to fix this sort of thing?

Anyone got any pics of the switch location?

tis a mk1

 

[RobertCL]

Have a search, I think there was a thread a while back with some picks. By all accounts it didn't sound very difficult.

 

[chammyman]

switch is on the underside of the box, pull the passenger wheel off an dth earch liners and you can see it easily, its green.

short it with a paperclip turn the ignition on and se if the lights then work. if so you need a new switch.

 

[Matteh]

ah, found the switch. well, one that goes in to the 'box anyway

will try the paperclip thingy now

 

[Matteh]

right, when i short the switch, my reverse lights come on

This means i need a new switch yeh?

Are these easy to change?

ok, looking through my haynes manual, it appears ive answered my own question

unscrew old switch, replace washer, screw in new switch. if i do it quickly enough i shoulndt loose any noticeable amount of gearbox oil.

Guess ill go in to renault tomorrow and see if they have a replacement switch & washer.

 

[Matteh]

Went out and got a replacement switch today (£13!)

Switched the switch (old one looked fine) and still no reverse lights!

so something inside the 'box isnt pushing the switch? :/

hope i dont have to bodge it somewhere else!

 

[Matteh]

starting to talk to myself here... but (via a clever use of old wing mirrors) ive deduced its the connection between the switch and the lead (unless the new switch doesnt work!)

So i think i need some form of conductive grease or something, to make a proper connection

 

[Matteh]

update

Was just the lead. So i needent have spent £30 on tools/parts

got the oil back in using an awesome method of fish tank tubing, a plastic cup, some kitchen roll and a jerry can.

i stink of gearbox oil. great.

 

[jonesyx]

I have the same problem with mine, its temperamental sometimes works sometimes dosent, need to have a look at it now i know its simple job

 

[Matteh]

yeh, its not too bad

if you are taking the switch out, i suggest draining the gearbox first, otherwise it just splashes out the switch hole, covering your shoulder in (still hot) oil.

you have to be impossibly quick to avoid any leakage.

just make sure you have some hose and a funnel (or make one ) so you can put the oil back in (guide in one of the stickies - very easy job)

In order to take the switch out, you need a deep 24mm socket and possibly and extender bit for your ratchet. the subframe impedes access to the switch via a spanner

My lights broke in about september, only just got round to fixing them! made parrallel parking in traffic very interesting