lights

[Kash]

My reverse lights don't light up on my 1985 230ce. I've checked the bulbs and fuses but they're all fine. I guess its the wiring but where do I start looking for the fault.

Also the rear left indicator has packed in as well (on the day I was investigating the reverse lights). Again not the bulbs or fuses.

Any thoughts on how I can solve this problem.

Help much appreciated.

Kashfa

 

[MotardMan]

Replace the switch on the gearbox.

 

[jaymanek]

The Switch by the gearstick is the hazard sitch/indicator relay. If it was this at fault then both front and rear would not work.
I think you should check your connectors.

Not sure how tooled up you are, but basically put the hazards on, then test the connector on the unit to see if there is power going to the unit.
It may be the lighting cluster unit itself at fault.

 

[MotardMan]

Jaymanek,

I am referring the switch on the gearbox, not the console. When reverse is selected, a switch is activated, that supplies voltage to the reverse lights.

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE AUTOBOX MODE SELECTOR SWITCH.

 

[jaymanek]

Sorry Motardman! Thought you meant the hazard switch, which is also the relay. Still maybe the indicators and Reverse lights not working are connected.

The reverse light only comes alive on one side. If this is the same side as the indicator that doesnt work, then i think it will be the lamp cluster.

Thanks


Jay

 

[andy_k]

the fact that one bulb packed up on the day you were working on it suggests that you've disturbed something

I've just been through the same problem with 230TE. Disconnect the cluster and remove it from the car completely (on the 230TE it's a multi pin plug fixed to the rear bodywork) and clean the contacts on the plug and the cluster thoroughly (very thoroughly the slightest spot of corrosion seems to stop things from working properly) you may also try carefully bending the contacts slightly to ensure a tighter fit.

Give the inside of the connectors a light coat of contact spray and then see what works.

As for the reversing light, the switch on the side of gearboxes is the obvious place to start looking if the bulbs are OK. it's one of those parts that's almost built to fail. A sensitive electrical component that gets covered in all the rubbish kicked up from the road. Disconnect it and bypass it by bridging the contacts to see if the lamps come on then. if it's failed they don't cost much to replace and it's a pretty simple job.

A quick note is that whilst you are swapping bulbs over always try and change them in pairs ie both brake lights at the same time. Diferent age bulbs can have different resistance and thus shorten their lives.

God I hate vehicle electrics

Andy