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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2272.0. "golf scirocco gearbox reversing lights" by WOTVAX::HARDYP () Mon Jun 13 1994 17:44

    Chaps,
    
    I've got an '85 scirocco with reversing lights that don't work. It's the
    1800 GTi model so should be the same as the similar golf, apart from
    the location of ancilliary equipment (see below).
    
    I've traced the problem to the gearbox switch (suprise) and it looks to
    be easy to get out except that getting at it involves removing lots of
    other non-associated pipes, boxes, filters etc.
    
    I'd like to take out the switch and attempt to clean/fix it but if it
    needs changing I don't want to go through the reassembly/disassembly
    routine.
    
    Has anyone gone through this before and can give any before-the-event
    tips? 
    
    thanks
    
    Peter
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
2272.1reversing switchOASS::HEARSE::Burden_dKeep Cool with CoolidgeMon Jun 13 1994 17:568
I think that switch was known to go bad (at least in the US) so I'm not sure 
fixing it is possible.  It might also control the upshift light, but do you 
have those in the UK?  Look through the DLOACT::CARBUFFS conf for the VW 
topics and there should be some notes on the backup switch.

At least on the lhd Rabbits and Golfs the switch is easy to get to.

Dave
2272.2PEKING::SMITHR1Cracking toast, Gromit!Mon Jun 13 1994 18:1025
    I've been through this sort of thing before.  Usually the bit in
    question is of nominal cost compared to the effort involved in
    replacing it.  Experience dictates the following sequence:
    	
    	1	Buy a new switch.
    	2	Dismantle car.
    	3	Fit new switch.
    	4	Reassemble car.
    	5	Fiddle with old switch.
    
    You will find that the old switch is perfectly serviceable with a bit
    of fettling.  If you skip step 1, the old switch will be irreparable. 
    If you do 5 after 2, the old switch will seem fine after a clean, but
    will not work after the car is reassembled.
    
    "Of nominal cost" is also relative.  If the switch is circa �5, the old
    switch will be serviceable.  If the cost is up around �15-�20, the old
    switch will be an original Bosch performance part, and the car will run
    rough without it....and so on.  The most expensive switches are gold-
    plated, levitate, heal the sick and dissolve traffic.
    
    Hope this helps
    
    Richard
2272.3you've done this before.WOTVAX::HARDYPMon Jun 13 1994 18:248
    richard
    
    What you really mean is that the old switch will contain the gearbox
    oil temperature sensor which will mean the difference between a �5 part
    and a �100 part. Naturally these will have different fittings and will
    not be interchangable.
    
    Peter
2272.4If only everything in life....WOTVAX::SALISBURYGTue Jun 14 1994 12:2812
    My girlfriand had a 1600 Golf and the same thing happend on that - it was
    the switch on the gear box that was causing the problem. She bought the
    part from the local VW dealership and took it to a
    local garage - Apples I think- and they replaced it and it was'nt more
    than 20 pounds, including the part - VW parts are not as expensive as you 
    may think!. 
    But I think you could proberly do it yourself.
    
    The switch you referre to is the one on the top of the gearbox
    housing isnt it ....? I did'nt actually think that was to difficult to
    remove.
2272.5I'll train a ferretWOTVAX::HARDYPTue Jun 14 1994 13:069
    It is probably not difficult to remove on a golf, but on the scirocco
    everthing is squashed under the bonnet. Parts to remove probably
    include air fiter and pipes, various bits of fuel injection, water
    expansion bottle, .......
    
    I'm away this weekend but I'll check that the garage has the part and
    do it next week
    
    Peter
2272.6Try a spanner!WOTVAX::SALISBURYGTue Jun 14 1994 14:187
    Many appologies,
    I didnt realise the layout would be that different - If its any help!!!
    the place that did the switch was behind Apples Car Clinic..On that 
    industrial type estate next to the sports car type Garage...
    If you know where I mean!!! 
    
    G.
2272.7No problemWOTVAX::HARDYPWed Jun 15 1994 09:0810
    G,
    
    Don't apologise for being helpful. 
    
    All input is welcome, especially any that says that once I've got to
    it, it should be easy enough to get it out.
    
    thanks again
    
    Peter
2272.8TASTY::JEFFERYChildren need to learn about X in schoolWed Jun 15 1994 11:3417
On the theme of stupid designs to make parts less interchangeable.

I discovered that the Automatic Choke on a Fiesta 1300S takes a 7V DC
(7 not 12!) input to warm up the bimetallic strip so that it turns off
the choke after a few minutes.

This 7V is taken from the alternator, so that the first warning I had
that the alternator was going was when the choke stayed on all the time.

The garage in Taunton that changed the alternator (I was driving from
Plymouth to Basingstoke at the time), used the wrong one, and told me
that the flying lead was something to do with radio suppression!

Turned out that it was the choke, and I had to get the alternator
replaced for the right one!

Mark.
2272.9Done!WOTVAX::HARDYPWed Jul 06 1994 09:1813
    Chaps,
    
    Just to report that I changed the switch last weekend.
    
    In the end I only had to lift out the radiator reservoir to get to the
    switch. It did need a small socket set (9mm) to get to the two bolts.
    
    I got the replacement part from "Scandinavian and German" or something
    that sounds like that. They have a full page advert in Exchange & Mart.
    I compared a few parts prices with them and with an a local VW garage
    and they give about 30% - 50% off.
    
    Peter