No reversing lights - all of a sudden

[MrBroon]

I've just taken my car to Slow Fit for the replacement of the bracket that links the gearbox and exhaust system on my 318iS (can't complain as they did it for free) but now I've lost my reversing lights, highly coincidental.

I believe there is a switch on the gearbox that puts the lights on when you throw over into 'R', does someone know if this is right and where the switch is located and if the connector can become disconnected?

Cheers.

[Brianmoooore]

Switch is high up on the right hand side of the gearbox, just in front of the bracket you had replaced. Connectors are push on Lucar types, and subject to corrosion. Definitely not up to the standards of most plugs and sockets on an E30, and something that was corrected on the E36.
Shouldn't really be affected by changing the exhaust bracket - but if you let half trained chimps loose with spanners under your car, then anything is possible.

[MrBroon]

Thanks Brian, I'll try and get fully trained chimps next time

[RLawley]

If you haven't sorted it yet, there is a connector to the gearbox that you can get at from inside the car - take off the cover round the gear lever and you can see the connector going down to the gearbox. Disconnect this and you can check the contact between the pins when you put it into reverse (or short them out on the other end to check the lights come on!)

[MrBroon]

Will do, thanks. I'll let you know what I find.