Anyone got a HAMMER??

[Brummy]

arrrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh...
got a problem with 'reverse' lights in as much as I aint got none!!
checked the bulbs.. ok.. checked the voltages .. ok.. but just NOT ILLUMINATING!?!?!?!

am I missing something bloody daft or is it just a complete mystery?

someone at some time HAS 'played' with the electrics as the wires on both rear clusters are cut/spliced theres a little blac box hanging by the one, and I know theres electric's running down to a 'point' under the rear bumper.. ie, someone must have towed a trailer or something with this car before at some point, as some of the paperwork I had with the car show work (servicing) being done ata garage in the I.O W.....
pics below of 'wiring' ......

 

[ibiza_95]

are all the wires going into the correct wire after the silly blue clips? and have you had reversing lights before?
If youve had them before id say that a wire has dropped out of one of the clips.

If i were you id get a soldering iron, some heat shrink and id put all the wires back to how they were meant to be, ie: without the black box and extra plug there, might find that if youve never had reversing lights that its shorted somewhere or theyve wired it up wrong, as it looks like a DIY jobby to me

 

[Brummy]

trouble is, it was like that when I got it, (rear end smack , if you remember)... so not really a clue as to what the 'black box is... everything else is fine... Im geting VOLTAGE to the points in BOTH sides but just not lighting the bulbs.??

 

[Fl@pper]

black box is a relay/bleeper for the towbar if you havent got or not keeping the towbar - rip it out and clean the wires up - saying that i dont think you wire up reverse for a towbar etc ???

iirc theres 2 reverse lights so before you start ripping wires out the switch in the G/box is worth testing/bypassing as they are common to go too

 

[Czechboy]

I can partially help solve the mystery. The reason why all the wires have been cut is either like you have said..... to run a trailer, OR the previous owner might have had lexus lights. You see they use different bulb holders, as well as lenses, meaning the whole light unit has to be replaced and wired up when installing them. As for why you lights aren't working, I recon that one of the blue clips has completely sliced the wire for the reverse light. If not then maybe the reverse light bulb holder hasn't got a properly wired up earth.

Come to think of it.....it was definitely a trailer and not Lexus lights, as they would have chopped the wires completely.

Mig

 

[Czechboy]

Maybe the bleeper needs to be connected up. Because I'd imagine the it was connected up to the reverse lights, to activate the bleeper. So have a look where the wires from the bleeper run to, and that might be a good starting point.

Or I might be completely wrong, so I'm just gona go and crawl back up under the stairs

Mig

 

[rich-t]

if at some point it used a trailer then the little black box is for the indicator to tell you that the trailer indicators lights are working when you turn left of right
got one in our other car when were towing the hourse about

 

[Brummy]

right.. that helps in identifying the black box.. still no help in the mystery of why no lights though,... im GETTING voltage to the bulb holders.. on BOTH SIDES.. (and I had lexus lights on the 'red-shed' *ok, so 'flame' me.. *.. so its not that.. and I also know the car has never had lexus lights fitted )... all other lights work... even tried a 'spare' light unit (the part that all the lights go on to), same again, voltage is there when car in reverse .. not when taken out of reverse.
logic says bulbs, but they WORK in other holders on the SAME unit, so why not in the reverse ones??

 

[ibiza_95]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
is there shite between the contacts on the bulb and on the holder?

 

[Fl@pper]

... im GETTING voltage to the bulb holders.. on BOTH SIDES..

you getting an earth ? or you left it unbolted

 

[DPJ]

right.. that helps in identifying the black box.. still no help in the mystery of why no lights though,... im GETTING voltage to the bulb holders.. on BOTH SIDES.. (and I had lexus lights on the 'red-shed' *ok, so 'flame' me.. *.. so its not that.. and I also know the car has never had lexus lights fitted )... all other lights work... even tried a 'spare' light unit (the part that all the lights go on to), same again, voltage is there when car in reverse .. not when taken out of reverse.
logic says bulbs, but they WORK in other holders on the SAME unit, so why not in the reverse ones??

Is voltage there across the lampholder or are you testing earth from a different spot?

 

[Brummy]

you getting an earth ? or you left it unbolted

earth strap is ON !!... damn wierd bloody thing!!

 

[Brummy]

Is voltage there across the lampholder or are you testing earth from a different spot?

both! getting same reading on the plate part of the 'cluster' and also when earthing to a different place

 

[DPJ]

both! getting same reading on the plate part of the 'cluster' and also when earthing to a different place

Do you get a reading across where the bulb would actual contact + & - ?

 

[Brummy]

yep thats why I cant understand it....

 

[DPJ]

yep thats why I cant understand it....

The bulb surely cant be reaching the + contacts then........

 

[Brummy]

thats honestly what I thought.. to the point where I carefully bent the contacts up....
really at a loss with this one, im normally 'Au fait' with wiring (ex- electronics engineer )

 

[DPJ]

thats honestly what I thought.. to the point where I carefully bent the contacts up....
really at a loss with this one, im normally 'Au fait' with wiring (ex- electronics engineer )

Well that's exactly what I would have done.

At this point, I've got to ask, has the car got a grudge against you?

 

[Brummy]

well I bought it cheap ............ lololololololol..

 

[DPJ]

Have you tried 'bridging' a good earth across from somewhere else?