Exterior 1st Gen Reversing light switch, Backup lamp switch.

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by Norm03s, Oct 20, 2012.

  1. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

    May 5, 2009
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    :incazzato: The only annoying gripe I have about my 2003, R53 is the stupid low budget switch they specked out for this backup light application. I have now lost count of the number of these I have replaced. This usually occurs if the number is over three. Anyway, I am an expert (drip under pressure) at this, so anyone experiencing the issue of no reversing lamps can assume, that 99.9% of the time if you put it in reverse and no light comes on it will be a bad reversing lamp switch. It is screwed into the transmission on left side behind the wheel and fender liner, that is the drivers side in the USA. Oh yeah, I should be more specific, about my expertise, this applies to R53, six speeds only.
    I must have this light working on my driveway, it is treacherous, tree's, rocks and earth banks.
    Rant over, thanks!
     
  2. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

    Oct 1, 2012
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    Wow, that sounds absolutely horrible. I'm sorry you're having issues with the reverse light.
     
  3. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    It is the only switch on first gen cars that does not run through the body control modules:sosp:
     
  4. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    True that, and that's Okay, I like simple but I just wish it was activated by the external linkage. It is not sealed and is exposed to the transmission fluid which causes it to fail.
     
  5. Herleman

    Herleman New Member

    May 25, 2010
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    Why not just take it out cvompletely, and replace it with a manual switch on the dash, or center console or someplace else where it won't look bad. It seems to me that it would be easier to switch it off and on than to replace it again and again.

    But then, there4 are those that have lasted well over 100 K miles without failing. I know of a couple like that.
     
  6. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

    May 5, 2009
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    Thanks Herleman

    Good idea there Herleman, but I would just as soon leave the old switch in place to keep the bugs out and the oil in. That Idea has been rolling around in my head for sometime now with a slight difference and yes it's a loose idea. I call it the tailgaters assist and follow me if you can light MOD., being helpful to all those tailgaters on the highway, I want them all to see where I was:wink::wink:
    You know those fake grills on either side of the reverse lamp? Been thinking about cutting them out to install some SS wire mesh inserts with some low budget ITTY-BITTY high intensity led fog/driving lamps behind them wired into the backup lamp circuit for some time now.
    Been thinking about a wireless remote too, it would be neat and it wouldn't be that hard to do but a pain if I lost/misplaced he remote.
    It's just a two wire circuit looking for a closure to activate the relay and a simple switch would provide that, easy enough.
    You helped me make up my mind, I'm adding a switch to control the lamp and later adding some LED lights in the rear for more light coverage.

    On second and further thought, a linkage activated reversing lamp switch would be a pain to cobble together and install it there (tight) so anyone waiting on that idea to come to fruition will have to wait.:idea:
     

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