Hi all, I put the car in reverse gear and the reversing lights do not come on.
Checked the bulbs and they are working. Looked in the fuse box under the hood and under the rear seat but did not see any listed for reversing lights. Found one that said reverse gear sensor (or something similar) but it was okay.
Is there more fuses or is there a defect (broken wire or connector) at the gear box (I'm assuming an autobox has a switch that connects to the reversing lights).
All other lights on the car work including rear wash wipe, turn signals etc. It's a 98 E430 Wagon.
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,381
Quote:
Originally Posted by 230Terry
...I had a W124 wagon where the rear wiper stopped working cos the wires had got nipped at this point...
I have about the wires breaking and causing wiper malfunctions in the wagons too, but I don't know the specific location of the wiring to the lights. Does it look to you like your tail light wires are being stressed when you open/close the rear door? Can you even see them without removing interior panels?
__________________
Ich liebe meinen Mercedes-Benz!
In an earlier post you mentioned the warning came on as soon as you started the car. Is that the case? If so the warning isn't necessarily for the reverse lights as the feedback loop isn't in place until the key is on and the gear selector is in reverse. Have you ruled out any other "lamp defective" issues (there is a sort of step-by-step DIY to help isolate this)?
Now if you meant that it comes on as soon as you drop it in reverse, then yep, that is in that circuit. And I like tirona's idea about checking for current. Corrosion can build up on the contacts the bulb touches, not just those on the bulb. (And since you already had a similar issue with the fog lamp that would be the first thing I'd check.) But in addition to the bulb, you also have to check the contacts on the little circuit board as well as the socket itself. If it turns out you have voltage at the circuit board but a known good lamp will not light, then check the other diy for fixing the taillight issue. (Good idea to look at this anyway, because the pics with the unit out of the car make it a bit clearer.) Sometimes it's as simple as buying the new little socket, other times a bit more involved.
And just a note but emery cloth is fine for bulb contacts, but the ones on the circuit board that's a little harsh; besides it may be just a light coating of oxidation you can't even see. 00 steel wool is fine for the board contacts (but be sure all lights/power is off!).
BTW, I don't mean to digress, but if you can introduce me to the fetching young lady in your avatar I'll consider flying back to Ireland to give you a hand with this.
Okay, getting serious again, do a little more checking with the handy voltmeter and see what you come up with. I have a feeling it's all going to be right at the assembly back there.
bad contacts in the neutral safety switch or also known as the "inhibitor switch, across the pond], which sends the signal/voltage that activates the reversing lamps... The contacts wear out over time.
The OP used the term lamps, which is plural; anything effecting both lamps is usually in the circuit...
And... Terry, you might want to complete your profile, including location and exact model; it helps us to help you. I suspect Terry is across the pond as he calls them "reversing" rather than "back up" lights.
bad contacts in the neutral safety switch or also known as the "inhibitor switch, across the pond], which sends the signal/voltage that activates the reversing lamps... The contacts wear out over time.
The OP used the term lamps, which is plural; anything effecting both lamps is usually in the circuit...
And... Terry, you might want to complete your profile, including location and exact model; it helps us to help you. I suspect Terry is across the pond as he calls them "reversing" rather than "back up" lights.
Good luck,
JR
JR that was going to be my next suggestion after he checked for current, although I suspect one thing it very well could be the neutral safety switch. Were it not for all of the troubles the 210 has with those screw-in-circuit-board-socket lighting fixtures that would have been the first thought. And it's odd that you're not seeing his profile; I'm seeing information in it. He's in Northern Ireland, so you're right, that would be across the pond. Way across.
In an earlier post you mentioned the warning came on as soon as you started the car. Is that the case?
BTW, I don't mean to digress, but if you can introduce me to the fetching young lady in your avatar I'll consider flying back to Ireland to give you a hand with this.
Okay, getting serious again, do a little more checking with the handy voltmeter and see what you come up with. I have a feeling it's all going to be right at the assembly back there.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
The defective lamp indicator comes on as soon as I turn on the ignition (i.e. start the engine), may be totally unrelated to the reversing lights. I'll get some fine wire wool and do a bit of checking.
I have'nt see a voltmeter since my days in a punk band in the early '80's!!! I'll go borrow one from a neighbour.
I'd like an introduction to Katie too, I'll keep dreaming.
I'll try again tomorrow and get back to you. Time for bed here.
And it's odd that you're not seeing his profile; I'm seeing information in it. He's in Northern Ireland, so you're right, that would be across the pond. Way across. 
Linear Mode
