Reversing Lights

[AndyP]

I did a search for this but could not find any previous threads.

 

I have had 2004 Sharan SE TDI for about 2 months. I recently noticed that one of the reversing lights was not working. I changed the bulb and it was still not working. The car went in to the dealers on Saturday for them to fix the rear screen washer under warranty so I asked them to take a look at the reversing lights.

 

When I collected the car it was explained to me that the Sharan has only one reversing light by design. Although there is a buld in the other holder it is not wired up. I was a bit surprised by this, as all the other cars I have owned have had 2 reversing lights. The service manager went on to ask why I had not looked in the manual. At this point I explained that I was waiting for them to supply me with a manual as it was missing when the car was supplied (but that's another story).

 

Anyway, I would be very grateful if someone out there with a similiar model could let me know if this is correct or is the dealer is telling me a load of rubbish.

[tim-spam]

My Alhambra has 2 reversing lights, which both work. Sounds a bit like dealerspeak to me, but let us know what the handbook says when you finally get it. By the way, your dealer has broken the law by selling the car with no handbook, as this forms a necessary part of the vehicle's type approval.

Tim

[faded-fish]

the Sharan has only one reversing light by design. Although there is a buld in the other holder it is not wired up.

The dealer is yanking your chain!!! If there is a bulb there then the item should be wired up. Even if there isn't it should probably be wired for one - My 95 Galaxy had a similar issue with the rear fog lights because only the offside worked. On inspection I found that the nearside was blanked in the lens - I knocked out the blank and added a bulb and hey presto - 2 working fog lights.

 

My guess is that the dealer doesn't want to investigate the problem because it may expose something more sinister :angry: (maybe a botched repair after an accident!)

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Which side is not working? also check that both fog lights are working? it's nothing new for manufacturers to save a few pence by not connecting up both reverseing lights or fog lights! or in the case of the Galaxy not sticking the passenger side fog light bulb in although the lamp holder is pre wired :angry: every little bit they can scrape back on the production cost helps! :( shame these saveings are not passed onto us :angry:

[AndyP]

Many thanks for the replies to my post.

 

It it the drivers side reversing light that is not working. I will check the fogs tonight when I get home. I also have a 2001 Golf. That has only one foglight but 2 reversing lights. I am calling the dealers again today so I will query it.

 

Is it really illegal to sell the car without the manual? It was about eight months old when I collected it. I noticed then that there was no manual or service book and raised this at the time. They have supposedly been on order for the last 2 months. I have chased them a couple of times but they seem pretty lax about it. I think it is the usual thing where the dealer can't do enough for you until they have their hands on your hard earned cash. However, if it is illegal then I might be able to exert a bit more pressure. I don't really understand the point about 'vehicle's type approval'. Can anyone explain this to me?

[Guest stawarz]

The single reversing light (and also rear fog light) is part of raft of euro-regulations that were bought in a few years ago. So altough there may places for two, only one should be active.

 

Andrew

[tim-spam]

In order to meet the essential health and safety requirements necessary to gain type approval to sell a product in the EU, the manufacturer has to demonstrate compliance. There are several types of potential hazards with most mechanical & electrical products, and the actions required depend upon what the hazard is and how severe its consequences could be. Some need to be designed out (eg: you cannot start an automatic car in gear), some require visible / audible warnings (eg: ABS lights, indicator lights, etc.), some require written warnings (eg: do not use rearward facing child seats in the front seat with airbags active) and others require warnings in the instruction manual supplied with the product. This is the long way of saying that the instruction manual forms an important part of a product's type approval, and is therefore a legal requirement.

Tim

[soptom]

I may be wrong but the manual only needs to be provided for type approval purposes with a brand new car, if yours was eight months old then it is feasable that the previous owner has lost/misplaced it and a new one can be sourced at a later date. If yours was brand new and had no previous then they should provide you with it.