Disco 300TDi reverse light problems

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C

Christopher Harris

Guest
I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I suspect to be
the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on unless I hold the
gearstick and force it down or across while in reverse,works perfectly fine
when the engine's not running!
Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light operation part
of the test?
Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380 gearbox,and can
you get to the switch through the inside of the car as I,ve been underneath
and I have quite thick wrists and forearms and can't get a spanner onto the
switch!


 
"Christopher Harris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I suspect to
> be the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on unless I hold the
> gearstick and force it down or across while in reverse,works perfectly
> fine when the engine's not running!
> Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light operation
> part of the test?
> Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380 gearbox,and
> can you get to the switch through the inside of the car as I,ve been
> underneath and I have quite thick wrists and forearms and can't get a
> spanner onto the switch!

There's a discussion in this group - "aux lighting and the law" - which
includes a couple of people stating that the reverse light is not part of
the MoT, although I understand that it *is* part of the regulations for a
road-going vehicle which can be checked by police or a roadside DVLA
checkpoint.

On the actuator switch - I had the exact same symptoms (on a Disco 300Tdi
manual) and my friendly local LR mechanic replaced the switch at cost when
he was doing other things to the car - so I don't think it can take very
long! Sorry, don't know where he did it from, inside or outside.

K


 
Kieran Turner composed the following;:
> "Christopher Harris" <[email protected]> wrote in
> message news:[email protected]...
>> I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I
>> suspect to be the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on
>> unless I hold the gearstick and force it down or across while in
>> reverse,works perfectly fine when the engine's not running!
>> Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light
>> operation part of the test?
>> Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380
>> gearbox,and can you get to the switch through the inside of the car
>> as I,ve been underneath and I have quite thick wrists and forearms
>> and can't get a spanner onto the switch!
>
> There's a discussion in this group - "aux lighting and the law" -
> which includes a couple of people stating that the reverse light is
> not part of the MoT, although I understand that it *is* part of the
> regulations for a road-going vehicle which can be checked by police
> or a roadside DVLA checkpoint.

If lights are fitted, they must work. Simple really .. ;)

--
Paul ...
http://www.4x4prejudice.org/index.php
(8(!) Homer Rules ... ;)
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."
 
On or around Mon, 24 Jan 2005 23:20:56 GMT, "Christopher Harris"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I suspect to be
>the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on unless I hold the
>gearstick and force it down or across while in reverse,works perfectly fine
>when the engine's not running!
>Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light operation part
>of the test?
>Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380 gearbox,and can
>you get to the switch through the inside of the car as I,ve been underneath
>and I have quite thick wrists and forearms and can't get a spanner onto the
>switch!

you'll need to get the centre console off, probably. Get a new switch, just
in case, it may just need adjusting, which'll either be the switch or gear
linkage, but it might be a dodgy switch and you don't want to do it twice.

HBOL is typically unhelpful on the subject. Mind, the R380 switch doesn't
look adjustable (The LT77 one is) so definitely hunt a new switch before
starting.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to
a great lie than to a small one" Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
from Mein Kampf, Ch 10
 
In article <[email protected]>, Paul - xxx
<[email protected]> writes
>If lights are fitted, they must work. Simple really .. ;)
>


Wrong .! Reverse lights are not part of the MOT test.

Just as factory fitted front fog lamps and spot lamps are not part of
the MOT.

The R380 reverse light switch is not adjustable, but can be got at from
underneath with a bit of effort.
--
Marc Draper


 
"Paul - xxx" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Kieran Turner composed the following;:
>> "Christopher Harris" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> message news:[email protected]...
>>> I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I
>>> suspect to be the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on
>>> unless I hold the gearstick and force it down or across while in
>>> reverse,works perfectly fine when the engine's not running!
>>> Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light
>>> operation part of the test?
>>> Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380
>>> gearbox,and can you get to the switch through the inside of the car
>>> as I,ve been underneath and I have quite thick wrists and forearms
>>> and can't get a spanner onto the switch!
>>
>> There's a discussion in this group - "aux lighting and the law" -
>> which includes a couple of people stating that the reverse light is
>> not part of the MoT, although I understand that it *is* part of the
>> regulations for a road-going vehicle which can be checked by police
>> or a roadside DVLA checkpoint.
>
> If lights are fitted, they must work. Simple really .. ;)
>
> --


OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights bulbs
on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp doesn't work
and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1 bulb
each side was out)
Would this be a pass or a fail?


--
Andy

SWB Series 2a ( dressed as a 3) "Bruce"
It's big, it's mean it's really, really green


 
Andy.Smalley composed the following;:
> "Paul - xxx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Kieran Turner composed the following;:
>>> "Christopher Harris" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>> message news:[email protected]...
>>>> I've got a problem with the reverse light on my Disco which I
>>>> suspect to be the actuator switch.The reverse light doesn't stay on
>>>> unless I hold the gearstick and force it down or across while in
>>>> reverse,works perfectly fine when the engine's not running!
>>>> Firstly with the MOT test coming up soon,is the reverse light
>>>> operation part of the test?
>>>> Secondly has anybody else had the same problem with the R380
>>>> gearbox,and can you get to the switch through the inside of the car
>>>> as I,ve been underneath and I have quite thick wrists and forearms
>>>> and can't get a spanner onto the switch!
>>>
>>> There's a discussion in this group - "aux lighting and the law" -
>>> which includes a couple of people stating that the reverse light is
>>> not part of the MoT, although I understand that it *is* part of the
>>> regulations for a road-going vehicle which can be checked by police
>>> or a roadside DVLA checkpoint.
>>
>> If lights are fitted, they must work. Simple really .. ;)
>>
>> --
>
>
> OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights
> bulbs on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp
> doesn't
> work and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1
> bulb
> each side was out)
> Would this be a pass or a fail?

Legally, I dunno .. but as the light unit still works as a brake light,
then I'd say it's a pass. I could easily be wrong though.

Isn't this why many companies are now producing LED cluster brake lights
for PSV's etc .. if they have 20 LED's in them, they can blow 19 before
they _need_ to change the lgiht unit or 'bulb', so in theory they last
19 times as long .. ;)

--
Paul ...
http://www.4x4prejudice.org/index.php
(8(!) Homer Rules ... ;)
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."

 
Paul - xxx wrote:

> Isn't this why many companies are now producing LED cluster brake lights
> for PSV's etc .. if they have 20 LED's in them, they can blow 19 before
> they _need_ to change the lgiht unit or 'bulb', so in theory they last
> 19 times as long .. ;)

The NZ WOF (MOT equivalent) rules state than not less than 80% of the
LED's must be working.

The major reasons for LED lights are reliability, lower current draw and
voltage independance (ie a trailer can be used on a 12V or 24V vehicle
without needing bulbs changed or voltage reducers fitted).


--
EMB
 
The switch on the R380 isn't adjustable. You can replace it from outside
but it's bleedin' awkward. Dunno about from the inside ... never tried :)


Regards

Steve G



Austin Shackles wrote:
> SNIP
>
> HBOL is typically unhelpful on the subject. Mind, the R380 switch doesn't
> look adjustable (The LT77 one is) so definitely hunt a new switch before
> starting.
 
On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
>OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights bulbs
>on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp doesn't work
>and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1 bulb
>each side was out)
>Would this be a pass or a fail?

I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
operational on a regular basis.

ain't there something in C&U about lights being symmetrical, as well?

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"'Tis a mad world, my masters" John Taylor (1580-1633) Western Voyage, 1
 
"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
> operational on a regular basis.

Yep - I would have been failed last year for only having 1 on the Disco -
except the tester was a nice bloke at a proper Landie specialist so he
naturally slotted a replacement bulb in.

In fact, the holder is just rubbish and the new bulb, just like the old one,
is loose... must sort that... sometime...

Actually, I've been thinking of getting LED replacements, and the number
plate lamps seem like a safe enough place to do a little test before
changing anything else.

:) K


 

"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>>
>>OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights bulbs
>>on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp doesn't work
>>and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1 bulb
>>each side was out)
>>Would this be a pass or a fail?
>
> I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
> operational on a regular basis.
>
> ain't there something in C&U about lights being symmetrical, as well?
>
> --


This was one of the questions on my exam and the vehicle would pass
as for the no plate lamp I personally thinks it's a stupid rule that it should
fail even if 1 bulb is out so tend to be a bit lenient on that side

--
Andy

SWB Series 2a ( dressed as a 3) "Bruce"
It's big, it's mean it's really, really green


 
Austin Shackles composed the following;:
> On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>>
>> OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights
>> bulbs on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp
>> doesn't work and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it
>> obvious that 1 bulb each side was out)
>> Would this be a pass or a fail?
>
> I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
> operational on a regular basis.

But aren't they two discreet lamps, not a single lamo with two bulbs?

--
Paul ...
http://www.4x4prejudice.org/index.php
(8(!) Homer Rules ... ;)
"A tosser is a tosser, no matter what mode of transport they're using."
 
On or around Wed, 26 Jan 2005 07:58:08 -0000, "Paul - xxx"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Austin Shackles composed the following;:
>> On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley"
>> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>>>
>>>
>>> OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights
>>> bulbs on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp
>>> doesn't work and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it
>>> obvious that 1 bulb each side was out)
>>> Would this be a pass or a fail?
>>
>> I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
>> operational on a regular basis.
>
>But aren't they two discreet lamps, not a single lamo with two bulbs?

not always. I've been failed for one 2-bulb lamp having one failed bulb.
I'm surprised you can get away with unmatched rear lights, too.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Festina Lente" (Hasten slowly) Suetonius (c.70-c.140) Augustus, 25
 
In message <[email protected]>
"Andy.Smalley" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> "Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley"
> > <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
> >>
> >>
> >>OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights bulbs
> >>on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp doesn't work
> >>and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1 bulb
> >>each side was out)
> >>Would this be a pass or a fail?
> >
> > I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
> > operational on a regular basis.
> >
> > ain't there something in C&U about lights being symmetrical, as well?
> >
> > --
>
>
> This was one of the questions on my exam and the vehicle would pass
> as for the no plate lamp I personally thinks it's a stupid rule that it should
> fail even if 1 bulb is out so tend to be a bit lenient on that side
>
If one number plate light out of two is not working, remove
or hide failed one.........

Richard
--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
Running a business in a Microsoft free environment - it can be done
Powered by Risc-OS - you won't get a virus from us!!
Helping keep Land Rovers on and off the road to annoy the Lib Dems
 
>>>> OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights
>>>> bulbs on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp
>>>> doesn't work and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it
>>>> obvious that 1 bulb each side was out)
>>>> Would this be a pass or a fail?
>>>
>>> I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps
>>> operational on a regular basis.
>>
>>But aren't they two discreet lamps, not a single lamo with two bulbs?
>
> not always. I've been failed for one 2-bulb lamp having one failed bulb.
> I'm surprised you can get away with unmatched rear lights, too.
>


It's down to the stupidity of the mot test
like brake lights( the multi bulb/led ones) if 1 bulb is working
out of 36, it's a pass as it's classed as a complete lamp not individual
lights
here's a tip for you if you have an addition brake light that doesn't
work, like in a spoiler or something, tell the tester it's not wired up
he can't fail it.

--
Andy

SWB Series 2a ( dressed as a 3) "Bruce"
It's big, it's mean it's really, really green


 
>> HBOL is typically unhelpful on the subject.

I remember when the HBOL was actually good - I had one that told you how to
rewire your dynamo!!
TonyB


 
Hi chris,this will cheer you up even more....if it has to be done from inside,as well as removing the console you may well find yourself drilling out all the rivets that hold the top plate onto the tunnel to gain access,then re-riveting after! I had to do that very recently when replacing the zf autobox in my 300tdi disco...Oh well,chin up! mucky`un.
 
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