W210 - 1998 - Reversing lights stuck on

[Veridian]

Folks, any ideas? Having been flashed by other drivers a few times, I find my reversing lights are stuck on.. Aha! I thought, the switch has probably gone, so as a workaround I took the bulbs out, now everytime i start up I get a light defective warning

Im told the part I need is a 'gear level module' part 210 545 1332, around £55+the VAT.
Being reasonably DIY savvy - and willing to see if I can swap it out, but I can't find any instructions anywhere as to how to get at the unit. Guess Ive got to go through the centre console - but how!?.. Does anybody have/ know where I can find a guide how to do this please.. Many Thanks!!

 

[star]

Folks, any ideas? Having been flashed by other drivers a few times, I find my reversing lights are stuck on.. Aha! I thought, the switch has probably gone, so as a workaround I took the bulbs out, now everytime i start up I get a light defective warning

Im told the part I need is a 'gear level module' part 210 545 1332, around £55+the VAT.
Being reasonably DIY savvy - and willing to see if I can swap it out, but I can't find any instructions anywhere as to how to get at the unit. Guess Ive got to go through the centre console - but how!?.. Does anybody have/ know where I can find a guide how to do this please.. Many Thanks!!

IF you can get the g.box control module separate( not available on some models) you have to remove the complete shift and strip, its in the middle of it.

 

[Veridian]

Sounds pretty complex.. you'd think it would be straight forward as its obviously something thats likley to wear over time - ala the brake light switch!. Thing is im not sure how i even get to it!

 

[Veridian]

a-ha.. finally found something on my WIS . have to know the correct terminology, but good grief, as you say Star its right in the middle of the unit! I can see this being a long old job!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6722&highlight=switch

 

[Veridian]

Thanks for the link parrot, that's just what Ive been after!.. I note on my selector, the 'slidy thing' that prevents grunge falling into the gear mechanism is missing.. so probably my reversing switch is shorting from being full of fluff etc. Ill see if I can get a replacement from the stealer!

 

[hmang]

parrot.. "you da man"

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Don't forget to clean the W/S switch while you're taking it to bits, because it will stick at some point if you don't

 

[television]

They place these units there so that when you spill a drink, the car will not start and the selector locks up, and you get a nice big bill for your efforts

 

[Parrot of Doom]

A dip in neat alcohol solves most problems with water + electronics.

 

[pwrycroft]

Hi - I had a similar problem with reversing lights NOT coming on. Fortunately, I stumbled across this thread and have now sorted the problem. However, dont try and disassemble the gear change unit without removing the gear knob - I did as i had no idea how to remove the knob and the thread gave no instructions. Mine flew into a pile of pieces and the resulting 2 hour refit makes me an expert in how these things go together. What was worse was that it didnt fix the problem! My snag turned out to be dirty contacts on the rear light clusters - a couple of hours with some wire wool and I get no warnings and my reversing lights work fine. I couldnt have done it without this thread so - many thanks!

Peter

 

[television]

Welcome with your first posting to the forum,and thank you for the positive results, they are the things needed for feedback and helping others

 

[Veridian]

Hi folks.. well hopefully my next thread will be success. Im currently at the PC with ( after 90 minutes of dismantling).. the actual switch unit in my hand!.. it look like the reversing light 'spring' contacts have somehow got fused together.. Ive also got a new shutter to go on the gear knob to stop dust etc dropping into the mechanism! Ill post again laterwith a smile Ihope!.. but thanks to everyone for getting me this far.. pheww its hot work this afternoon!!!

 

[Veridian]

An update 2 hours later.. well sorted out the 'short'.. went to start putting it back together and as I picked up the 'base with the lever, it slipped so it then took me another hour and half just to realign all the linkage.
Anyway all went back Ok, and at last my Defective Lights warning has gone.. but still no reversing lights Argghhh!! Think I may have spread the contacts a bit too far apart.. oh well have to wait for another day.. but at least I know how to dismantle the little bugger now!.. Thanks again Team for the advice!!

 

[pwrycroft]

Hi Veridian

Ni ce to hear that someone else had to work out how the hell that unit went back together again - while being yelled at by the wife for meddling where I shouldn't have been! When you had the switch apart you will have noticed that the switch is connected to the outside world by a simple 2 pin plug - the only one on the gear shift unit. If you remove the console and aircon pipes you can get at the switch and use a multimeter to check if the reverse switch is closing when you engage reverse - I just stuck the parking brake on hard! At least you will know for sure whether its the switch or something else - as it was in my case! My switch was clean and working perfectly. If the switch is OK then consider the rear light cluster strip and clean that I did - it seems to have solved my problems. It was also a pleasant couple of hours of easy work in the sunshine!

Peter

 

[television]

Hi Veridian

Ni ce to hear that someone else had to work out how the hell that unit went back together again - while being yelled at by the wife for meddling where I shouldn't have been! When you had the switch apart you will have noticed that the switch is connected to the outside world by a simple 2 pin plug - the only one on the gear shift unit. If you remove the console and aircon pipes you can get at the switch and use a multimeter to check if the reverse switch is closing when you engage reverse - I just stuck the parking brake on hard! At least you will know for sure whether its the switch or something else - as it was in my case! My switch was clean and working perfectly. If the switch is OK then consider the rear light cluster strip and clean that I did - it seems to have solved my problems. It was also a pleasant couple of hours of easy work in the sunshine!

Peter

Thank you peter for this useful post, it saved me from writing it out

 

[R2e]

A dip in neat alcohol solves most problems with water + electronics.

Much as I like the idea, wouldn't it dry out my skin? :mrgreen:

 

[Veridian]

Success

Hi there, well took it all apart again, and tried the multimeter - although for some odd reason I was getting inconclusive results, so I resorted to the faithful standby of a doubled over paperclip. once I shorted that particular cable the reversing lights came on!
So I took the unit totally apart and was a bit more forecful in bending the contacts so they positively touch.. and I now have working lights!

The only minor irritation is that the passenger side mirror which used to dip to the kerb when I engaged reverse (before the lights fiasco) - refuses to do so - even though Ive looked thru the manual and programmed it into the seat memory.. Any ideas?
Thanks again everyone!

 

[television]

Try the mirror again in a few days, they can be temperamental