hey guys noticed today revesing into my garage after work that my reverse lights wernt on, so i put the brake on (too slow down obviously) then they came on? Went for a drive to pick up dinner and the same thing happened? ahahha any ideas whats going on?

cheers guys

Could be the reverse gear sensor is dodgy or a loose connection at the bulb end. Did both of them go out? If only one, it could be the bulb is on its way out.

definately the gearbox reverse switch had this go on my old magna and seen it on another

However, if the Reverse lamps are coming-on when the Brakes are applied - this sounds like a short somewhere in the loom? (IF OP gets Reverse lamps when Brakes applied, read on. If Reverse lamps come on with ALL Brake applications, read on. If Reverse lamps come on only when braking in Reverse, read on. If there is NIL interference between Brake lamps and Reverse lamps - then I have got the wrong end of the stick and you cna ignore this post).

To avoid lots of painful effort, double-check for fuses and relays associated with the Reverse lamps and Brake lamps before you begin. Fuses and Relays are relatively easy to locate and check - use your "glovebox/Operators Manual" for guidance, or borrow that booklet. If its not fuse-related, then you need to do some diagnostic detective-work on the wiring loom itself (which is less straighforward).

Look/Search for the Workshop Manual thread - it has PDF files of the genuine Mitsi Workshop Manuals (TH-TJ-TL-TW and Verada equivalents). If the links for workshop manuals don't work, post-up in here and someone can probably send you the file. Find the wiring diagram for your model, and identify what colour wires in the rear lamps loom correspond to Brake Lights and Reverse lamps.

Also, check for details of Ground/Earth points in the boot, make sure that the loom for tail-lamps is grounded properly. Look also for obvious damage to insulation on the wiring loom, or pinching of the loom etc. If there is any signs of moisture present, check connectors for signs of corrosion etc (its unlikely that moisture would track current from the Brakes pin to the Reverse lamps pin within a connector, but anything is possible).

Using a test-light or multimeter, check for voltage in the wire for Brake lamps with Brakes on, and Reverse Lamps with car in Reverse gear (not running, of course, but key on).
Follow the loom (either from tail-lamps forwards, or engine-bay back) back and check these wires at various locations (beware that colours "may" change at a loom connector - wiring diagrams will show if that is the case).

From memory, the loom for pass rear tail-lamp crosses under the boot lock and joins loom of drivers tail-lamp. Obvuiously, there are connectors to each tail-lamp unit itself. From the drivers tail-lamp, the loom travels forwards behind the felt trim, and up over the drivers rear wheel arch - there is a connector up high near the parcel shelf, and the loom enters the cabin there. Comes down near the edge of the rear-seat back rest (may have to remove backrest and check, it a possible "pinch" point). Comes along just inside the rear door under the seat-base and carpet/scuff-plate...... same thing comes forwards past the drivers door opening, under edge of carpet/scuff-plate. Under the dash above fuse box, is a 'Junction Block' - lots of different sub-looms of the car are plugged-in there.

Basically, check the loom with the aim of finding at what point the wires have correct voltages for Brakes/Reverse and where the Brake/Reverse wires begin to act-up - you have just found two points either side of the problem. Needless to say, a helper is just about essential for much of this - need a foot on the brake, popping in and out of Reverse etc. Basically you nee to find if problem relates to:
a/ getting power TO the Reverse Lamp switch on the gearbox (is there power there, or only when brakes applied?)
b/ getting power OUT of the Reverse lamp switch on Gearbox when Reverse gear engaged (check with car in reverse gear, brakes off and brakes on - key on but car not running).
c/ Somewhere between Gearbox switch and the rear lamp units, is there damage to wiring which allows Brake-lamps and Reverse-lamps wiring to interfere with each other).

Good luck!

If you are not adept at electrical/wiring dramas, maybe find or bribe a mate who thinks he is hotstuff in this line of work. Beer often works on Magna drivers and AMC members. If all else fails, consult a professional - most mechanics would handle this, but auto-electrician would be the absolute Gold-standard.

okayyy bringing up and old thread to save starting a new one, where might i find the gearbox reverse switch and how hard is it to access?

easy, its on top of the box. might need to take off the snorkle. looks like a bolt with a plug and wires comming out of it. when you undo it and take it off. the end looks like a giant ball point pen end. that can be pushed in. mine was dead and had to replace it.

before checking all that id be checking your ground connections on your reverse lights and brake lights.

brake lights work fine, the reversed lights worked intermitantly, and if i shook the gearleaver around they would sorta flicker which is leaning into the faulty switch area, might go have a gander now.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/photojfs.jpg/

can someone confirm this is what im looking for?

brake lights work fine, the reversed lights worked intermitantly, and if i shook the gearleaver around they would sorta flicker which is leaning into the faulty switch area, might go have a gander now.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/photojfs.jpg/

can someone confirm this is what im looking for?

Thats the one, an MT only has 2 plug. One is the reverse switch on top, the other is the speedo sensor on to of the diff.

Thats the one, an MT only has 2 plug. One is the reverse switch on top, the other is the speedo sensor on to of the diff.

ahk, well i unplugged it sprayed it with some WD40 to get rid of any moisture, no cigar. so might have to get a newy...any ideas what mitsi would charge for one of these?

No idea! When mine went I just grabbed it off my spare MT haha...

No idea! When mine went I just grabbed it off my spare MT haha...

bastard! ahha another job to do before i put it on the market, thanks for your help mate!