Reverse Light Defective

[Fraz]

Guys,

Im struggling with this.

Reverse light not working, bulb fine, fuse fine (same fuse for numerous other things)

Im considering changing the switch in the gearbox however the car knows when its been put into reverse and brings up the light fault so Im guessing its working and knows its being put into reverse if that makes sense?

What else can I check apart from wiring obv. There is no current going to the bulb at any point.

[SI-R32]

sorry i can't offer you much advice but fyi when it detects a bulb is out it turns off that cct until the car is turned off and back on again, just letting you to help with fault finding

also is it a standard bulb? or led?

[Fraz]

Yeah, Standard bulb.

[SI-R32]

how old is the car? if the bulb out warning is coming on you may have broken wires in the rubber between the hatch and body, have you done any wiring mods on the car at all?

[Fraz]

Its an extremely early 2004 model. Ive not touched the wiring whatsoever on the car, completely standard however I do remember when purchasing the car the wiring cover was dislodged from the body to the rear hatch... Ill look into that...

[SI-R32]

best thing to do (possibly a bit daunting) is remove the trim above the parcel shelf on the passenger side as the hatch light wires are on plugs behind this, if you find the reverse light wire and test here it would be the best place to start in my opinion

Fyi the reverse switch does not go direct to the light and as the car is saying bulb defective and your 100% its ok, i'd defo say wiring problem like i previously said.

[Fraz]

Ok, I've done some digging and I'm now confused.

Initially there was no power getting to the bulb, traced this to a broken wire from body to hatch. Fixed this and now it gets 0.35v normally and when reverse is engaged it runs up to 12v then drops and no light goes on. Rear left reverse light defective warning is still on.

Any ideas???

[Fraz]

Just to add.. I've just bridged lithe reverse switch and still no reverse light?!? Any further suggestions?

[SI-R32]

Does the fog work? You may also have a broken earth wire, are you 100% sure the bulb is OK, try it in the fog light and switch that on.

[SI-R32]

Infact from the bulb holder in the hatch check continuity from it to the body not hatch,  no earth = another problem

[Fraz]

Ok... I've swapped the holders with the fog and it was fine and dandy, worked perfect..

Where am I checking continuity from and too?

[SI-R32]

The reverse bulb holder earth contact to the car body not hatch,  basically just check both bulb holder terminal to car body one should beep, if no beep or high resistance then earth Eire may be broken as well

[Fraz]

Problem resolved -

Initially it was a broken wire in the plastic between boot and tailgate.

HOWEVER, the reason I was still having issues is my own fault. I had stuck my probes into the plug ends causing them to pull apart and when plugged into the bulb holder wasnt getting a correct connection.

So there we go.. I am an idiot. lol..

At least its all fixed now!

Thanks for the help guys.