No reverse lights
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 732
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
No reverse lights
Need some help. Went for inspection and no reverse lights. Bulbs are good, the relay under the hood is good and the fuse in the floor board was blown. Replaced fuse Yea its fixed,,, not. Also my orange selector indicator is stuck on drive. I dont think its related. Ideas....
I forgot to say this is a A4
I forgot to say this is a A4
Last edited by msp1055; Mar 17, 2012 at 08:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 488
Likes: 2
From: Myrtle Beach SC
If the fuse was blown, it sounds like an excessive current draw through the circuit. I would start by checking the ground wires for the reverse lamps. They are located in Splice Pack 400 (SP400), which connects to the G401 ground connection. If memory serves me correctly, G401 is near the left rear wheel on the frame rail. I would also check the wiring to see if there are any defects (loose terminals, corroded or damaged wiring, etc). Also check the connector for the bulbs...the reverse lamps are n the C400 circuit, I believe. Last, but not least, is your Park/Neutral Position and Backup Switch functioning properly?
HTH
HTH
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 732
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
The rear view mirror courtesy lamps are out, and research tells me these are on the same fuse? Can anyone narrow down where I should start to look for a short. Before I spend endless hours searching.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,139
Likes: 4,156
From: Kannapolis NC
If the approach lights still work, the wiring and bulbs, etc to the lamps are ok and the problem is toward the reverse switch or a shorted wire running from the fuse box to the switch, or from the switch toward the relay. Check on the gray wire for a short. Maybe the reverse/safety switch itself is shorted?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,139
Likes: 4,156
From: Kannapolis NC
You should have said it after 1 fuse. If you replace a fuse and it blows again, you have a short. To keep replacing a fuse is asking for trouble on many levels. If you have a manual trans, you can probably fix it for a few bucks by changing the reverse switch on the trans. Takes about 5 minutes and you can troubleshoot by unplugging it and measure on both pins to ground, should be open or infinite ohms. If you get a reading on the switch pins to ground with the plug off, change it. The automatic is not so easy to get to or change and is more expensive, it's also the neutral safety switch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: spring tx
You should have said it after 1 fuse. If you replace a fuse and it blows again, you have a short. To keep replacing a fuse is asking for trouble on many levels. If you have a manual trans, you can probably fix it for a few bucks by changing the reverse switch on the trans. Takes about 5 minutes and you can troubleshoot by unplugging it and measure on both pins to ground, should be open or infinite ohms. If you get a reading on the switch pins to ground with the plug off, change it. The automatic is not so easy to get to or change and is more expensive, it's also the neutral safety switch.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Its the reversing light switch. It's notoriously unreliable. the good news its only a few $ and takes 5 minutes to replace. I replaced 3 on my sons Camaro. Just be ready with the new switch when you pull the old one to minimise the fluid leakage.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 732
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Update, I got a FOB now and the approach lights do work so there is power back there. Also I never noticed it, but my car shifts out of park without having to apply the brake. Its an automatic so from what everyone is saying, I'm guessing its the neutral safety switch. Anyone have the same problem so I can just buy a new one and not have to trouble shoot many things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 188
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '13
I am also trying to find the problem with my no reverse light condition. I have 12V at the light bulb socket but when I put a bulb in the voltage drops to zero. Wondering if the relay contacts are carboned up and have just enough contact to make the voltage read on my meter but can't handle a load????
2000 M6
Edit: Thank you guys for the schematics. Mine ended up being fuse 21 was blown.
2000 M6
Edit: Thank you guys for the schematics. Mine ended up being fuse 21 was blown.
Last edited by MickVette; May 9, 2012 at 10:35 AM. Reason: resolve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 188
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '13
I was testing with the key on and the shifter in reverse. I had already replaced the switch on the transmission and the rear light wiring harness - due to a different issue. It ended up being fuse 21.
Last edited by MickVette; May 9, 2012 at 10:35 AM.
