Reverse Light - Not working
Moderator: martauto
Hi Guys,
Both reverse lights at the back are not working and the following troubleshooting has been carried out:
1. Bulbs - both ok
2. Wiring all ok around shifter after removing gaiter.
Been told the culprit may be the reverse switch located on the transmission casing.
How easy is it to replace and any tests I can do to make sure its the reverse switch at fault.
Thanks
Both reverse lights at the back are not working and the following troubleshooting has been carried out:
1. Bulbs - both ok
2. Wiring all ok around shifter after removing gaiter.
Been told the culprit may be the reverse switch located on the transmission casing.
How easy is it to replace and any tests I can do to make sure its the reverse switch at fault.
Thanks
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Reverse light switch is of a very poor internal design, so is quite likely to be your problem. To make sure, disconnect the plug and socket by the base of the gear lever, short together the two pins of the half that doesn't go down through the grommet, and turn the ignition on. Reverse lamps should light.
Switch is high up on the RH side of the gearbox, and simply unscrews after pulling off the Lucar type connectors.
It's just about possible without any dismantling, but you can undo the gearbox crossmember and drop the rear of the box a little on a jack to make it easier. There's very little weight supported by it, but keep an eye on the fan to radiator/shroud clearance.
Switch is high up on the RH side of the gearbox, and simply unscrews after pulling off the Lucar type connectors.
It's just about possible without any dismantling, but you can undo the gearbox crossmember and drop the rear of the box a little on a jack to make it easier. There's very little weight supported by it, but keep an eye on the fan to radiator/shroud clearance.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Nothing will come out when you remove the switch (unless you roll the car over for access.)
- Duncmasterflex
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2016 11:00 pm
Yeah I'd also like to know as mine needs replacing toocorkie wrote:Mine is also stoped working,ive had it replaced about 5years ago but i cant remember if it was a ecp one or the stealers where did you get it from and how much please?

- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
There are many reasons why reverse lights might not be working, and a duff switch is just one of them. TEST first, by shorting together the two wires at the plug and socket by the base of the gear lever, that connects the loom that goes down through the gear lever grommet to the body loom.
Even if that brings the lights on, then it could still be just a broken or disconnected wire under the car.
Switch is still in the same place on an E36 box, but uses a different electrical connector. You may have an E30 switch fitted with the original loom, an E36 switch with a loom made up with the correct plugs, or some hybrid bodge up.
Even if that brings the lights on, then it could still be just a broken or disconnected wire under the car.
Switch is still in the same place on an E36 box, but uses a different electrical connector. You may have an E30 switch fitted with the original loom, an E36 switch with a loom made up with the correct plugs, or some hybrid bodge up.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Not in the slightest!