5 replies to this topic

[Jaydee88]

Good morning guys and girls!
Hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend! feel sorry for me at work please!

I was wondering if anyone knows a reason as to why my reverse lights don't work at all?
i checked one of the bulbs while i was changing my indicator bulb and that one seems fine, it hadnt blown or anything.
but i remember they both stopped working, not just one... couldn't really be a coincidence that both bulbs went at same time could it?!
they havent working in a while... before i got it back on the road.

Also, i fitted a stereo with a cd changer and when i turn the volume up loud the stereo gets ridiculously hot, is this meant to happen? and my red dash light (the one opposite the orange light!) flickers on and off to the music, is this because the battery can't take the power of the stereo?
i bought the stereo off ebay secondhand...

Thanks guys!

Jess
xoxox

[dklawson]

The flickering red light does indicate a charging problem. Start with the simple things and adjust the belt tension. If you are fortunate, that will correct the problem. If it is not the belt tension AND if the alternator has a lot of miles on it, it may be that the brushes inside the alternator have reached their wear limit.

The reverse lights and switch on your car will be very different than those on mine so I can only offer basic suggestions. Though the bulb may look good, try a new bulb anyway. While the bulb is out, look inside the socket for any corrosion and clean any found using ScotchBrite pads or similar. After you fit the new bulb make sure there are no loose wires at the lamp housing. If that does not address the problem more in depth troubleshooting will be involved to make sure the wires are intact and that the switch itself is working. I leave that to others more familiar with later cars.

[chrisandsarah]

You could just unplug the two wire connectors going from the loom to the gear change. Then temporarily join them together. Turn the key in ignition to light dash. If you have reverse lights the reverse switch is at fault.

If it is the reverse switch, just a case of getting under the car and undoing it. Remember DONT tighten up the new one as far as it goes when you put it in. You will bust it!!!!

[Fizpop]

Just mirroring Chris and Sarah's post. Lift the carpet in front of the gear stick and you'll find two wires and a couple of connectors. Join them together and see if the lights come on.
Quite common for the wires to short on the exhaust and melt. Best case it'll blow a fuse, worst case it'll melt the wires. Lift the carpet and see what lies beneath!
Mark

[Jaydee88]

Thankyou guys i will give it all a go and see where i end up!

Xoxoxox

[TA2DMAC]

Check the ground on your stereo. I can't say for sure because I don't know what you have, but it shouldn't get that hot.