Reverse lights on constantly

[Johnny123]

Hi, could anyone give me a few pointers please? I've got a problem with my wife's 2005 Vauxhall Astra Estate 1.7cdti in the way of the reverse lights are on constantly. I thought it was the reverse switch on the gearbox stuck so I bought a new switch, fitted it and it's still the same. Any advice you can give me would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[KEV 1 N]

Do the other lights in the clusters work as they should. Sometimes bad earths at rear lights can cause strange things, particularly if you have side lights on, brake and indicators at the same time. Try it with the gearbox switch disconnected to see what happens.

 

[Johnny123]

Hi KEV 1 N, All other lights work as they should. I will add that the battery was disconnected and removed as well as the battery tray last week for access as the starter motor needed replacing. When everything was put back in place it was after this that the problem was noticed. I don't know if the problem with the reversing lights was present before that or just since the work was carried out. Thanks for the quick reply by the way oh and the reverse lights are on whether lights are turned on or off

 

[KEV 1 N]

Have a bit fiddle with the switch, check and trace the route of the wiring for damage other than that you might have to take it to an auto electrician to have a look at it.

 

[ruston]

Failing a nipped wire after the starter job as Kev has said , I ask everyone this lol; has it had a towbar fitted, has anyone been adding anything to it , and does it go off with ignition off. Has it had a bump?

 

[KEV 1 N]

Although it's done for safety, disconnecting the battery on an older car can play havoc with the electrics. I had a 406 that went in for a new timing belt, battery disconnected, come back with non functioning remote central locking!

 

[Johnny123]

Hi ruston, I kind of ruled out a nipped wire as the wiring g for the reverse switch goes over the top and the wiring for the starter was underneath but it's always worth another check, I'll do it in the next couple of days if the weather decides to fair up a bit. No electrical additions or changes, no tow bar fitted and yes they turn off with the ignition. Kev, yeah I know what you mean about older cars and disconnecting the battery ha ha, I'll have a try with the switch wiring disconnected and see if that makes a difference. I have a feeling something is shorting across somewhere and completing the circuit to make the reverse lights come on. Thanks for your help guys and if you can think of any more possibilities I shall accept them with open arms as this is starting to well and truly bend my melon thanks again guys

 

[KEV 1 N]

Could always take the bulbs out!

 

[ruston]

Deleted , I made a mistake lol.

 

[Johnny123]

Ha ha ha yeah Kev I took the bulbs out a couple of days ago because the wife was complaining that people were honking at her, shouting and telling her that the reverse lights were on so did it to stop any confusion and stop the wife getting grief

 

[Johnny123]

I suspect a dodgy/stuck relay. Anyone know which relay the reverse lights are on and whereabouts it is please so I can test/replace it? Thanks

 

[KEV 1 N]

Probably best asking on a Vauxhall forum

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Does the switch have one or two wires?

 

[Jay Sparks]

Have you replaced any bulbs recently? if you fit the wrong type, this can sometimes mess the signals up, i.e, if you fit a stop & tail bulb and you only needed a stop bulb, this could make your indicators light up when braking etc. The same thing could have happened to make your reverse lights cone on?

Just a thought.

Jay

 

[Johnny123]

Jay Sparks no no bulbs have been changed. spinlondon the switch has 2 wires