Hey guys,

I have a Dualogic (Automatic) Grande Punto, and ever since we bought it from brand new, we have experienced issues with the reversing light not working. First, we thought it might simply be the bulb was either loose or faulty However, after changing bulbs, etc, this was proved not to be the case.

Later, we took it to our local Fiat dealer, where they concluded that it was in fact a switch that was faulty and would need replacing - and would not be covered by our warranty. They then broke the news that this would cost somewhere in the region of £205 - which seems an extortionate amount for a switch.

For years I left the reversing light, being as it wasn't essential. Today, though, the car has been in for its first MOT and a full service, which all went well. We spoke to the mechanics (not a Fiat dealer) asking if they would be able to do the reversing light and they quoted a price of £40 - which compared to £205 is a great price. However, they have now said they cannot do the job, because 1) they can't find the correct part number for the switch (all those available are different to the one in my car), and 2) they are no longer sure whether it is the switch and now believe it may faulty wiring - saying they couldn't find a live connection to the light, but the earthing was great.

I really don't know what to do, and being as a working reversing light is going to be a requirement for passing the MOT in the future, it is something I need to sort out.

I would be grateful if anybody could help, or give me some information.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

There won't be a live if the switch is faulty, so can't see how they can say the switch is fine.

If the front wipers are on and you select reverse does the rear wiper opperate? This'll tell you if its the switch or reverse light wiring system

Thanks for replying so quickly.

Yeah, when the front wipers are on auto and i select reverse, the rear windscreen wiper does come on

that rules out the switch then straight away as MEP says....

So now what i would do is get hold of a multimeter and test for power at the multi plug on the back of the bulb holder test for live and earth separately at the plug to see if power is getting there ((that plug is correctly pushed home and secure isn't it? terminals clean?))


if one is missing look in the boot behind the plastic trim

and there is a grommet where the cables that go to both the reverse light, Fog lamp and number plate lamps the earths all go back to the passenger side of the boot sort of under the rear lamp cluster and the boot floor


check thats secure and clean

then carefully nick the reverse light cable or pierce with a Insulation pearcing tester

http://www.trueshopping.co.uk/product/Draper_Expert_Car_Electric_Circuit_Tester/3420/42075.html

and test for a live there

Thank you for the response. That sounds like great advice. Cheers

I'll do that, and update you on the outcome.

Thanks again,
Matt

i have the same problem. checked everything and diagnosis was the clutch switch or something like that. i bought the switch from shop4parts, about 15 quid in your money.

have not changed the switch yet though. will be doing it when i change my engine mountings this Sunday. was told that in order to change the switch, one of the engine mountings will need to be removed.

1959 said:

i have the same problem. checked everything and diagnosis was the clutch switch or something like that. i bought the switch from shop4parts, about 15 quid in your money.

have not changed the switch yet though. will be doing it when i change my engine mountings this Sunday. was told that in order to change the switch, one of the engine mountings will need to be removed.

Click to expand...

Can't be a switch as the auto rear wipe function is operating

Hello, did you ever resolve this issue? My wife bought a 2008 dualogic and the reverse light has never worked. It's in fiat as we speak but they are just scratching their heads!

Steviejam said:

Hello, did you ever resolve this issue? My wife bought a 2008 dualogic and the reverse light has never worked. It's in fiat as we speak but they are just scratching their heads!

Click to expand...

Does auto rear wiper work when reverse is selected

Yes it does. And it's not the bulb or fuse! They're doing some ecu checks now but not coming up with anything yet. Apparently it's a complicated one due to it being a dualogic! Has anyone managed to sort this issue? Please help.

Grande punto reverse light not working

Hello, my wife's 2008 grande punto dualogic reverse light is not working. It's not the bulb or fuse and the rear wiper comes on when selecting reverse with the forward wipers engaged. It's been in fiat 2 days and they're scratching their heads! They're doing ecu checks now but sound very puzzled. Please help!

Steviejam said:

Apparently it's a complicated one due to it being a dualogic!

Click to expand...

Which basically means they haven't a clue what they're doing. Its no more complicated than a manual gearbox tbh.

They need to trace it back to where it gets power (body computer possibly) and see if its getting a feed.

edit im talking rubbish

"The vehicle is equipped with a white reversing light located in the rear bumpers, on the right.

It is activated each time reverse gear is engaged: this information is received via a switch located on the outside of the gear casing.

The reversing light circuit is supplied by an ignition-operated relay and protected by a fuse in the engine compartment control unit.

The reverse engagement signal is also acquired by the engine control unit, sent via the CAN network to the Body Computer, which forwards the information to the parking etc. sensor control unit for automatic rear wiper operation"




I would say Check fuse 59 10a in engine fuse box from that supply it goes to the reverse light switch.... But it also is used to signal the body computer which is turning on your wipers...

from that switch it goes into the main loom there is a spur taken to the body computer which is why your wiper still comes on.. So this should mean your switch is working next it goes to plug D107a Which is a 16 pin plug located in the front left corner of the engine bay somewhere under the battery near the water bottle / radiator (hard to tell on the line drawing have to hand its not clear

then it goes to the back of the car......


if you have a multimeter check for earth by doing a continuity test between the black wire at the reversing light bulb holder plug and touch to a wheel bolt or other clean bit of metal.....and live by testing between the other wire and the body with the car set in reverse and the key set to MAR if no live check between D107a and back of car


Surely they have a copy of the wiring diagram?

Thanks Andy, they reckon they've found the problem but it was a receptionist that told me the info and she didn't sound like she knew what she was talking about. Anyway it's supposed to be getting done under warranty so I'll see if they have found the fault. If not will pass on this info. Thanks again.

Don't forget to let us know what the problem was if they do sort it

Will do!

Apparently after one and a half weeks of diagnosis it has been put down to the reverse switch. Picking the car up later but not feeling confident. Surely that would be the first thing to check after the bulb and fuse. How its taken so long I don't know. Will let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed!

Hooray the light is now working. It was the reverse switch. Ignore all comments about the switch being ok if the rear wiper comes on!

That is very strange!


looking at the wiring diagram


the reverse light is supplied by the B001 (fuse box via relay)

then the switch (red arrow)

then the wire out the switch is spurred

(green spot) to reversing light

(yellow spot) to Body computer to tell car to put on rear wiper



Only thing i can think of is the switch was leaking a small enough current through which the body computer could detect where as there was not enough current to light the bulb