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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - No reversing lights

Help needed folks regarding daughter's 02 ZR.Reversing lights don't work.So far,both bulbs ok,have checked all the fuses are ok,wiring seems ok in the boot area and have remade the earth(clean and tight).Sooooo-anybody any ideas? I wonder if there is a microswitch at the base of the gearlever or somwhere on the gearbox( that would,hopefully, be get-at-able).

Is having no reversing lights an MOT failure? Car is due MOT on Tues---aaargh.

Incidentally,in case it's relevant,the boot/luggage light doesn't work either and the bulb/fuse there is ok

Help or advice please.
MR Blencowe

Not an MOT failure if they don't work, could be if they are stuck on all the time. Used to be a failure if they were manually operated and didn't have a tell-tale in the cabin.

FWIW 2003 ZS on had a relay, before that it looks like the gearbox switch operated the lamps directly.

For the boot light you need to check the switch operated by the lid as well. Is there a 'boot open' light on the dash like there is on the ZS? Is so and that lights up then you know the switch and that part of the wiring is OK, so it can only be from where the wiring splits off to the light itself. Again FWIW the fuse for the boot and interior lights is the same on the ZS, so if the interiors work the fuse is OK.
Paul Hunt

Thanks Paul,I managed to discover the microswitch on the gearbox,a quick clean up, WD-40,re-fit and bingo,reversing lights.Now for the boot interior light.No sign of any sort of switch anywhere around the boot lid(that I could see anyway).Soooooo- where to look? There is no indicator on the dash.Everything looks in order,so I'm a bit flummoxed.Just another irritating MG thing I guess.Any ideas?
MR Blencowe

As there is no apparent switch around the boot opening on the ZS either, and no information on location in Haynes, I can only assume it is part of the latch on the lid, which has two electric cables as well as a manual cable going to it. Short of dismantling can't help further, but I'd be interested to know where it is if and when you find it!
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2009 and 29/05/2009

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