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Topic: Reversing lights (Read 951 times) |
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Bikerdon
Full Member
2.0 Ultima saloon, Norton 500, Suzuki 550.
Posts: 129
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Reversing lights
« on: Nov 1st, 2008, 7:01pm » |
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Hi all, does anyone know if reversing lights are required to work for an MOT?, as mine have decided to now stay on since the car has been laid up for a fortnight, typical with the test booked for monday. If they are does anyone know a quick fix and how difficult is it to access the gearbox switch. Bikerdon.
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Scorpio_Mike
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Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #1 on: Nov 1st, 2008, 7:21pm » |
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Remove the bulbs 
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Star sign is Scorpio !
Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD 
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #2 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 6:44am » |
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See here for guidance but I think you will find that reversing lights are NOT part of the test http://www.motuk.co.uk/mot_testing.htm
Only obligatory lights and indicators are tested, and reversing lights are NOT obligatory.
Not even the number plate light is covered as not having one is NOT a RTA offence it comes under the Excise Act .
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mijfife
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Posts: 198
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #3 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 12:45pm » |
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My tester has certainly never tested the reversing lights so I'd have thought that removing the bulbs would be good temporary fix. It might be worth disconnecting the plug from the switch on the gearbox as it could be a sticky switch
Cheers Jim
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'96 2.5TD Ultima estate running on veg oil!
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Bikerdon
Full Member
2.0 Ultima saloon, Norton 500, Suzuki 550.
Posts: 129
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #4 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 1:46pm » |
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Thanks for the advice all, So has anyone replaced the switch in the gearbox, and if so how accessible is it, I have the feeling it will be the same as the older Granada's, ie, a right pain to do!. Bikerdon.
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gozz
Senior Member
Been around awhile
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #5 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 2:42pm » |
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Bikerdon.
You're right ! the gearbox member and heatshield need dropping,let the box drop as far as it will,then with a cranked or specially bent spanner you can fiddle the switch out.Don't forget it could be the loom.
GOZZ.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #6 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 9:09pm » |
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I removed my first post as I was obviously wrong about reversing lights being a part of the MOT test. But as regards to the reversing lights being on permanently, then surely it would fail an MOT because there would be white light showing from the rear cluster 
Also, isn't it an offence to show white light from the rear light cluster ?....driving around with reversing lights permanently on can confuse/dazzle other road users & soon attract the attention of the local plod who may issue a fixed penalty fine for driving a vehicle not fit for use on a public highway
Also, if it were a problem with the gearbox reversing switch, then wouldn't it cause the reversing lamps not to work at all. This has certainly been the case in my previous experiences with these switches.
If the reversing lamps are permanently on, then wouldn't this indicate a wiring fault or bad earth somewhere ?....or considering it's been laid up for a couple of weeks, then water/moisture has got in somewhere ? ......
P.S....My twice yearly licenced taxi MOT test does require the reversing lights & number plate lights to be properly functional. If they aren't, then the vehicle licence is suspended immediately (even if it's a blown bulb), & only reinstated when the problem has been rectified & the vehicle re-tested by the council MOT tester
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Bikerdon
Full Member
2.0 Ultima saloon, Norton 500, Suzuki 550.
Posts: 129
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #7 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 10:03pm » |
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Hi again all, I have read through the mot manual, (thanks for the link Snoopy) and it certainly does not mention the reversing lights as being part of the standard mot test. As Jonnycab says it is an offence to show white light at the rear so bulbs are now removed as a temporary measure, will get it sorted out one way or the other as it also affects my passenger mirror too, will disconnect the plug for the dipping function in the meantime, thanks to all for the advice. Bikerdon.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #8 on: Nov 2nd, 2008, 11:42pm » |
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Bikerdon, I wonder if water has got into the dipping mirror & that is causing the problem ....It's a thought 
Good luck
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #9 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 7:21am » |
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JC The test your licensed Hackney Cab goes through is different in a lot of ways .
and Yes it is an offence to show a white light to the rear except when reversing.
And I suppose if the reversing lights were on during the test then the tester cold fail it but they are NOT part of the MOT test . Worth asking a tester about that one .
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Highlander
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Expert
13 Scorpios, XR4x4, Suzuki SJ413 for off road :)
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #10 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 8:41am » |
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Maybe ask him AFTER you get your ticket
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on Oct 17th, 2011, 12:35pm, Simmo wrote:I give up !  Too much for an old boy!  |
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Bikerdon
Full Member
2.0 Ultima saloon, Norton 500, Suzuki 550.
Posts: 129
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #11 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 3:51pm » |
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Highlander, you must think the same way that I do. Thats exactly what I did. He said they are not a testable part of the MOT and provided they are not on while driving then no worries, So I now have a ticket for another years luxury motoring with only 1 advisory, (lower N/S balljoint, very slight play), will get that fixed asap, thanks again to all for the advice, and thanks to Ghia x  for the transmission oil cooler which he kindly posted to me very quickly. Bikerdon. P.S. any other members of this site in Glasgow?
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scorpio_man
Administrator
Ford Kuga awd
Posts: 5654
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #12 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 4:39pm » |
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on Nov 3rd, 2008, 3:51pm, Bikerdon wrote:| P.S. any other members of this site in Glasgow? |
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yes, me!
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rich1
Full Member
london cabbies have the knowledge!!
Posts: 747
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #13 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 5:31pm » |
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this is a ford problem , every ford ive had has done this , it was the switch on every one . i once had a transit and it took 5 switches before it was sorted 
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Highlander
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Expert
13 Scorpios, XR4x4, Suzuki SJ413 for off road :)
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #14 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 5:34pm » |
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I was in Glasgow today, does that count??
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on Oct 17th, 2011, 12:35pm, Simmo wrote:| I give up ! Too much for an old boy! |
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scorpio_man
Administrator
Ford Kuga awd
Posts: 5654
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #15 on: Nov 3rd, 2008, 5:36pm » |
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on Nov 3rd, 2008, 5:34pm, Highlander wrote:| I was in Glasgow today, does that count?? |
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i know!!!
thanks again
andrew
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #16 on: Nov 4th, 2008, 7:28am » |
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I passed through on my way to Kintyre a couple of weeks ago
Does that count as well !
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
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Re: Reversing lights
« Reply #17 on: Nov 4th, 2008, 10:04am » |
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It could be the wiring that goes to the boot lid lights have become frayed and fractured with the constant opening and closing of the boot.
A common fault on the Scorp.
Interesting to know that reversing lights aren't part of the MOT test 
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