Reverse Lights

[TrentOSU]

All of my lights are working but the reverse lights...anyone have a clue of what's going on? Are they on a separate system?

[efficient]

yeah, yourswitch is bad. its located on the pass side of the transmission.

[itsonlygeorge]

cold also be the wires/connector going to the transmission. Test that first with a multimeter first. You can also short the wires going to the car and check if the rest of the wiring other than the switch works first. Getting to the switch to replace it is a bitch. I did all this to my car recently and it was the wires. I ordered a switch anyway, but it's best to check the system before throwing money at parts.

[efficient]

A switch is real cheap think it's less then 5 bucks

[M-technik-3]

Check fuse, if good check bulbs, if bad check switch.

Fuse bad check wires first.

[TrentOSU]

Thanks guys. Would the Bentley explain how to do all of these steps?

[itsonlygeorge]

A switch is real cheap think it's less then 5 bucks

The switch is more like $11 + shipping.

Test Switch:
1. take off shift boot and locate wires, should be two wires going through the rubber boot to the transmission.
2. Un-clip connector and connect jumper wire to short wires going to the car towards the center console.
3. Reverse lights should light up. Remove jumper.
4. Connect multimeter to connector/wires going to transmission. Set to test "ohms"
5. Put car in reverse gear, keys need to be in ignition but car doesn't have to be on.
6. You should read "0 ohms" when out of gear. You should be able to get some value when it's in gear.

If you don't get any reading when in gear it could be the wires or switch. If you have a switch handy, you can test the lights by connecting the new switch to the wires going to the center console. If the lights come on its either the switch or the wires. I'd suggest changing the wires first and testing the existing switch before pulling it out.

Look for a DIY on the forum for changing it.

[itsonlygeorge]

brake light http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/bra...ake_light.html
brake light check http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/bra...ght_check.html

[DER E30]

Anybody know if the lead that goes down to the trans from the shift boot is the same for 325 vs 318? Mine is missing, I might go to the junkyard to get one but haven't yet...