OT : car electrics - help please

PBo
PBo Posts: 2,493
edited March 2013 in Commuting chat
Ok hive mind.

Skoda roomster 2 1.4 08

Reversing lights not working.

Both bulbs fine. Fuse fine.

Any ideas?

Caveat: my knowledge of car electrics is rudimentary at best.

Cheers

Comments

  • shdaxner
    shdaxner Posts: 249
    Could be the reverse light switch, basically a switch on or near the gearbox which activates the lights once put into reverse.
    Unfortunately, i have no idea where this is or how to get to it on your car.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Have you got a multimeter?

    I assume the other lights in the cluster work? Then you can be reasonably sure the earth connection is ok.

    Switch is most likely the problem
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    As above most likely the switch.
    Assuming you have two reverse lights and other lights are fine it's unlikely there's a bad earth only to both reverse lights. If other lights are acting up, try getting someone to indicate whilst pushing the brake and go through other light functions, look at the earth connections to the bulb and the lamp unit.
    As MRS says, a multimeter makes tracing the fault much easier.
  • The Ors
    The Ors Posts: 130
    Try the forums at http://www.briskoda.net
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    It's almost certainly the switch. This will either be very easy or a complete bastard - owing to location - to fix. I'm afraid my money is on the latter.
    Ben

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  • Same thing happened on my Mondeo, applying judicious quantities of air duster and then WD40 to the switch and it's contacts sorted the problem.
  • PBo
    PBo Posts: 2,493
    Thanks all!!

    now, to find it..... :?
  • Take it to the garage:

    <sucks teeth>

    It's a write-off, mate. There's nothing we can do for you.

    Have a chat with my colleague here. He'll fit you up right good and proper with a new motor.

    <sniggers to self>
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

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  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    PBo wrote:
    Thanks all!!

    now, to find it..... :?
    Have you looked in the street, just outside your house?
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • kelsen
    kelsen Posts: 2,003
    PBo wrote:
    Ok hive mind.

    Skoda roomster 2 1.4 08

    Reversing lights not working.

    Both bulbs fine. Fuse fine.

    Any ideas?

    Caveat: my knowledge of car electrics is rudimentary at best.

    Cheers
    You're driving forward?
  • DJFish
    DJFish Posts: 49
    Generally a plug like this 593171644_o.jpg will be attached to your gearbox housing with a couple of wires sticking out of it.
    Usually behind the rad and therefore exposed to airflow, moisture & crud.
    Unplug, squirt with WD40, plug in, see what happens.