Reversing Light Not Working

[PHILIP BUXTON]

My Reversing Light Fuse Blew A Few Weeks Ago; I Have Replaced It But Only One Of The 2 Lights Was Working; I Eventually Got Round To Looking At It; Both Bulbs Are Ok As I Tried Each Of Them In The Light That Works; Whilst Fiddling Around With The Bulb In The Light That Does Not Work Smoke Started To Appear From The Wiring The Bulb That Worked Only Glowed Dull Red And The Fuse Blew Again ; Any Suggestions?

Also The Choke Light On The Dash Panel Has Become Very Sensitive In That When Choke Is Fully In The Slightest Touch (not Pulling It Out) And The Light Comes On In Instrument Panel

Ps My Previous Post Was For Starter Motor. Thanks For Your Advice But This Was Definitely Beyond My Capabilities And I Had A Replacement Motor Fitted At My Local Renault Garage. 2h30 Labour Plus Exchange Starter Motor Non Renault But 1 Year Guarantee 200 Euros + 48 Euros Vat Which I Thought Was Not Too Bad?

 

[mguez]

Hi. in response to the electrical problems you are having. I like wise had a battle with disfunctional reverse lights..which was a pain these winter nights.I had some help from a local ( and old school)auto electrician who traced the problem to a faulty switch down at the gearbox.Its easy to think that such a click together and sealed unit could go wrong but that is what I had to purchase and replace.On inspection the interior of the old switch was really corroded ,which is understandable after 20 odd years of being down in that wet part of the engine bay.The guy also got my interior lights working although I need a clear plastic turning cover for one of them...hope try the same perhaps with your car.Matt G

 

[malcolm]

Most likely if the problem ocurred when you were fiddling with the reversing lamp then the lamp itself has a short. I'd be inclined to remove the lamp and check the other one still works without blowing fuses (otherwise the wiring might have been damaged by all that smoke). The lamps are fairly simple so it should be possible to figure out where the short is by checking whether anything that should be live is touching anything that should be earth.

One light should be OK - they were only fitted to '83-'84 cars and the rest of us don't have any reversing lights at all!