Technical Reverse lights driving me mad!

[XB23]

Hi all,

The other day I went to reverse at night and notice my back reverse lights wernt working, I thought no big deal Ill change bulb next day.

The next day came and I tested them again before I changed the bulb and they worked fine. So i thought great its fixed itself.

Then the same day I went out again at night and there not working again!

Can it be something to do with it being night time, or a dodgy cable somewhere?

Please help me!!

 

[XB23]

another quick update.

just tried it again this morning and the lights work fine again, whats strange is the car hasnt moved since last night i tested them last night and they didnt work so locked the car up and came in the house, this morning unlocked the car and put it into the reverse and switched ignition and they worked.

whats going on, i know it sounds daft but it just seems at night they dont work but in daylight they do?

 

[Pat H]

Have you tried the reverse ligths with the side lights onm (like at night)?
Could be a bad earth. With the side ligths off the reverse lights can ground through the side lights. WIth the side ligths on they can't.

 

[XB23]

hi pat,

just tried it and, they are working fine still with or without side lights or headlights on, i just dont get it.

whats strange last night they worked too, so it cant be the nighttime thing.

it seems to be on a longish (10-15 min) run it does it, like when the car warms up a little.

any ideas?

 

[renaultvation]

I wonder whether there is a problem with your reversing light switch as you say the problem only appears to happen after the car has been running for a while. As the engine and gearbox warm up the thermal expansion within the switch may be sufficient to cause a break in a circuit. They are reasonably cheap and as easy as a bulb to replace, once you remove the metal retaining clip (assuming the MK2 Ulysse is similar to the MK1).

Good luck.

 

[XB23]

Well I dont know whats happening here, but it seems to have fixed itself.

I didnt do anything, but it now works everytime.

dont know if there was damp in the ciruit or something but its now working fine.

 

[Ffoxy]

Well I dont know whats happening here, but it seems to have fixed itself.

I didnt do anything, but it now works everytime.

dont know if there was damp in the ciruit or something but its now working fine.

If the vehicle has 2 reverse lights and neither work intermittently I'd go for the switch, trust me, NOTHING fixes itself.... It will be back.