REVERSE LIGHTS/ HANDBRAKE LIGHT FLICKERING WHILST DRIVING

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simmosimkins

Member
ROVER P6 2200 TC

Hi Guys, MOT due so all mot work done however now moving onto non mot work that still needs addressing!!

1st problem

Reverse lights not working BOTH(do not know how long for) have changed bulbs, no power to bulb holder or main wiring loom with reverse engaged. There is only one wire coming out of the reverse light unit so does anyone know which/where the earth is for the reverse lights. Secondly if it is not the earth does anybody know how to get to the reverse switch and more importantly how to adjust it!

2nd problem

Hand brake warning light works perfectly at standstill however when driving at keeps flashing on and off.......on and off.......on and off. If you think my description is irrating you should try driving the car !!

Does anyone know what is causing this problem and more importantly how to fix it!!

Thanks in advance
 
To access the reversing light switch, lift the carpet over the gearbox tunnel on the passenger side and remove the rubber bung.

The handbrake light doubles as also a fluid lever warning light, so check the brake fluid level. There's a cork floaty switch thing in the lid of the reservoir that sinks when it's past its best. Previous threads explain how to rejuvenate it.
 
The taillight unit is earthed as a whole. It is a black wire that is plugged into a clip which is screwed to the inner wing by the taillight wiring grommet. It won't be the problem if your other taillights work. The reverse light switch is accessed through a bung on the rhs of the trans tunnel iirc. One of the wires to the switch should be live with the ignition on, the other should be live when reverse is engaged. If there is no power here, these wires have a couple of bullet clip connections behind the speaker grille where they go into the main harness, or check the fuses.
The flickering brake light switch could be a number of things. It could be the fluid level float, try disconnecting one of the wires from the reservoir cap. (caution: if you disconnect the wrong one, the car may not start!) It could be the brake pad wear sensors. Check to see if your brake pads are getting low or try disconnecting the sensor wires. Or it could be the handbrake light switch itself. The button on the switch can tend to wear a groove into the cam that operates it, causing it to not operate properly. try unplugging the switch.
 
RAPID RESPONSE GUYS CHEERS!

OK PROCESS OF ELEIMINATION. FLASHING HANDBRAKE LIGHT

The car has had 4 new callipers/disc/pads and new brake pipes /fluid less than 4000 miles ago. The fluid reservoir is full. The fluid level indicator part of the light does not seem to be working anyway. You can lift the reservoir top until the wires go tight and the light still does not come on. However the cork seems fine! (On the plus side this rules this out a level indicator fault, on the minus side this is a different fualt that still requires rectification!!) Willy has suggested the handbrake mechanismn side of things can wear, if this is indeed the case, what do you have to replace to aleviate the problem? Can you just replace the switch (have not looked at this yet so obviously uninformed) or do you need a whole handbrake mechanismn??

Whilst I wait for a reply I will get the carpet and the multimeter out tomorrow to try and sort the reverse lights.

I LOVE OLD CARS AND ELECTRIRAL PROBLEMS. COMBINE THE TWO AND ITS JUST SO MUCH FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
simmosimkins said:
Whilst I wait for a reply I will get the carpet and the multimeter out tomorrow to try and sort the reverse lights.
Click to expand...

Before you do, just have a quick go at pulling the gearlever against the stop in the reverse position while checking the reversing lights. After I'd replaced the gearbox in mine, the switch was only just making contact so went off as soon as I released the lever. It was easy enough to fix by bending the tab a little.
 
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