No reverse lights

[Shak86]

Hi, my reverse lights aren’t working 

I’ve ruled out the bulbs and fuse these are both fine. I’ve checked the switch and it seems this is the problem. So I have replaced the switch however on installing the new switch the lights still don’t come on when the reverse gear is engaged.

I’ve take the new switch back out and tested it to make sure it’s working fine and it is.
I’ve also connected it to the car (without it being in the housing unit in the gear box) turned the ignition on and pressed the switch button in and on doing this both the reverse lights come on as they should. So I’m confused as to why they don’t do that when the switch is fitted and secured into the unit!!

Anyone else had this happen before and been able to resolve it or have any ideas on what the issue could be.

many thanks 

[Steve Q]

You've done a great amount of diagnostics, I'd definitely consider a wiring fault next 

[Shak86]

Thank you for your reply Steve. I didn’t think it would be a wiring fault with the lights coming on when the switch isn’t fixed into position. I will look into this next 

[Magnet]

Hello,

It sounds like the bit in the gearbox which activates the switch plunger isn’t moving the plunger sufficiently.

Aftermarket switch? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Shak86]

Thanks for your comment Magnet. 
Yeah it is, the switch I brought isn’t a genuine audio switch. So do you think if I go with a genuine one it will work fine? 

[Shak86]

3 hours ago, Magnet said:

Hello,

It sounds like the bit in the gearbox which activates the switch plunger isn’t moving the plunger sufficiently.

Aftermarket switch? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks for your comment Magnet. 
Yeah it is, the switch I brought isn’t a genuine audio switch. So do you think if I go with a genuine one it will work fine? 

[Steve Q]

12 hours ago, Shak86 said:

Thank you for your reply Steve. I didn’t think it would be a wiring fault with the lights coming on when the switch isn’t fixed into position. I will look into this next 

Good point, on second thought sorry.  

[Magnet]

Thanks Shakinna,

No, I cannot offer you any such guarantee. 
What I would suggest you do is to ‘rig up’ your original switch - not connected into the gearbox, but with cables connected, and do the same test as you did with the new one, and compare the amount of travel necessary to get the reverse lights to work - if they do. 
An easier way to check it would be with a multimeter set on ohms and just check for continuity when the plunger is depressed. 
Please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[Shak86]

6 hours ago, Magnet said:

Thanks Shakinna,

No, I cannot offer you any such guarantee. 
What I would suggest you do is to ‘rig up’ your original switch - not connected into the gearbox, but with cables connected, and do the same test as you did with the new one, and compare the amount of travel necessary to get the reverse lights to work - if they do. 
An easier way to check it would be with a multimeter set on ohms and just check for continuity when the plunger is depressed. 
Please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

Thanks for the advise Gareth.

I have since tested my original switch as I did the new one and on doing this the reverse lights don’t work. So that confirms the old switch is the fault. I just now need to sort a way of getting the new one to work when connected to the gear box.

I’m hoping to have this sorted this week end as the MOT expires on the 27th and really need it to pass lol.

Thanks again for the advise