Dodgy reverse light

Graham_B18C

I'm going to send the banger (96 Micra) in to be NCT'd in the next few weeks and everything seems fine but the Reverse light only comes on when it feels like it!

If I put it into reverse, the light comes on maybe half the time. If I pull the gearstick all the way back it'll go off but if I push it up a bit it'll come on or filcker. How could I fix this?

Any help appreciated!

ArphaRima

Sounds like the switch inside your gearlever assembly. The gearlever isnt contacting it properly.

I dont know your car, but on many cars its easy to pull open the leather surround for the gearlever and access inside. You should be able to locate and adjust the switch that way.

Buffman

At the moment that isn't tested by NCT, so don't worry about it failing. For safety it would probably be best to fix it though.

Graham_B18C

Leather...Haha! Tis a Micra, i'd imagine i'd be able to handle that. What you said is exactly what I was thinkin but just wasn't sure if it was easy to fix!

Cheers

Graham_B18C

Buffman wrote: »

At the moment that isn't tested by NCT, so don't worry about it failing. For safety it would probably be best to fix it though.

The reverse light isn't tested? Sounds a bit odd

Buffman

Grahamo999 wrote: »

The reverse light isn't tested? Sounds a bit odd

Yes, sounds strange, but true. They're considering changing this, as well as some other things.

From http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/NCT_Consultation.html

RSA wrote:

RSA Launches Consultation on New Tests for NCT

The RSA has launched a consultation paper, today Monday 23rd February 2009, seeking the views of car owners and those involved in the motor trade on proposals to add new test items to the National Car Test in early 2010. The consultation also considers the introduction of annual testing for cars which are over 10 years old.
The RSA believes that the new test items will improve the safety of vehicles on our roads and assist in achieving the main objective of the Governments Road Safety Strategy to bring Ireland's road safety record into line with "best practice" countries throughout the World. The proposed changes to the NCT are:
Clarity of windscreen and front side windows
Excessively tinted windscreens or front side windows present a significant safety hazard for drivers and their occupants. It is proposed that the glass in the windscreen and front side windows will be required to have a light transmission level of not less than 65% in order to pass the test.
Rear fog lamp
Rear fog lamps enhance the visibility of a car in foggy conditions by indicating the vehicle's position and direction of travel to other road users. The rear fog lamp, where fitted, will be checked to ensure that when in use it provides a red light which is clearly visible.
Reverse lamp
The reverse lamp of a vehicle provides illumination to the rear when backing up, and warns nearby drivers and pedestrians of a vehicle's backward motion. The reverse lamp, where fitted, will be checked to ensure that when in use it provides a white light which is clearly visible.
Tyres
Car tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. The standards to which tyres are designed and built, is critical to ensuring adequate grip is maintained with the road surface. An "E" or “e” mark indicates that the tyre is certified to comply with international regulations. It is proposed that the vehicle will fail if an E or e mark is not visible.
Malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) / Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS).
Today’s cars are fitted with a number of warning lamps on a dashboard that let the driver know if certain critical safety, performance and environmental features are not working properly. They are important safety features and it is in the interest of the driver and road safety that all safety systems in the vehicle are in full working order. Vehicles will be checked to ensure that, where fitted, the malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) / Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS) are in correct working order. The vehicle will fail if a malfunction indicator is not working or indicates a defect in the system.
Rear registration plate lamp
Rear registration plate lamps provide essential illumination to the registration plate of a vehicle once parking lights are activated.
Vehicle exhaust noise
The nuisance caused by excessive noise from vehicle exhausts is regularly the subject of comments and complaints received by the RSA. A new test is proposed at NCT whereby sound levels will be checked in order to ensure acceptable sound levels are not exceeded.
Annual testing of vehicles over 10 years old
At present two thirds of cars aged 10 years and older presented for a test do not pass first time. It is proposed that annual testing be introduced for cars ten years and older. Cars over 30 years old would continue to be exempt for the moment.
The introduction of the new test items will have no implications for test fees. The owners of vehicles over 10 years old, however, would be required to bear the cost of an annual test.
The document “Proposals for changes to the NCT in 2010” may be viewed and/or downloaded here.
The RSA would greatly appreciate the views of the public. Responses may be submitted up to 27th March to:
National Car Test Consultation
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Co. Mayo
or by email to nctconsultation@rsa.ie
On completion of this consultation process the RSA will be making proposals to the Department of Transport regarding the items to be included in the National Car Test from 2010.
Roadworthiness testing of passenger cars in Ireland first began in January 2000. At present, cars in Ireland are subject to periodic testing on reaching the 4th anniversary of their first registration and every 2 years thereafter. A total of 833,357 cars were tested in 2008.

Ends

For further information, please contact:
The Communications Office, Road Safety Authority – 096 25008