reverse lights

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
corkie
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2151
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:47 pm

Hi,could anyone tell me how are these activated?gear box? diff?neither?mot due !! :cry: mucho gratsi
e30
N-Gen
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:00 pm
Location: Paola, Malta

Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:51 pm

There's a reverse switch on the gearbox. #9 in the diagram.

Image
User avatar
BenHar
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3066
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:00 pm
Location: Reigate, Surrey

Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:24 pm

They are not part of the MOT test.

Ben
bmw9818
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2561
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Croydon

Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:25 pm

yep dont matter, mine didnt work and it passed
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49353
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:29 pm

Reverse light switch on the gearbox, as above, on a manual, or on the selector lever assembly on an auto.
If you pull up the gear lever gaiter on a manual, you'll find a two pin plug and socket lying near the base of the lever. Pull this apart and short together the two pins of the half that doesn't disappear down through the rubber gear lever grommet. Switch the ignition on, and if the reverse lights come on, the switch is faulty, or the wires have fallen off of it.
Switch failure is common, as the switch is poorly designed.
MOT test isn't relevant - reverse lights are not tested.
User avatar
corkie
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2151
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:54 am

Again thanks
e30
User avatar
BHadley
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 902
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Newton abbot, Devon
Contact:

Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:44 am

Its a cheap part from motor factors if its faulty, wiki shows how to replace just a 19mm ring spanner
capri_rob
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 9681
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: South Staffordshire

Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:05 pm

Access isn't great though especially if you are trying to do it on your driveway with the car on axle stands.
Image

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49353
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:10 pm

Access isn't great if you're doing it on a ramp! Switch is high up, and it's a tips of the fingers job to get it started in it's threaded hole and to get the connectors on.
User avatar
corkie
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2151
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:03 am

Do you have to drop the gearbox?
e30
N-Gen
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:00 pm
Location: Paola, Malta

Wed Nov 05, 2014 9:18 am

No, you shouldn't have to.
User avatar
Olley
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: NW London

Sun Nov 16, 2014 1:22 pm

Can anyone provide a picture of the location of the switch on a manual? PLEASE!
Secretly plotting your demise since 1988
Cloggy Saint
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 8024
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: zummerzet

Sun Nov 16, 2014 1:29 pm

Image

The top one circled in red.
Image

E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
User avatar
Olley
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: NW London

Sun Nov 16, 2014 1:45 pm

Cloggy you legend! thank you!
Secretly plotting your demise since 1988
Post Reply