[rado]

Manual gearbox? My money is on the switch, forget the fuses.

I think I've got the same problem, and I'm glad I found this thread. I've got a 2000-reg R75 2.0 petrol - manual, the European model (LHD). Recently, the parking assistant failed to engage (no beeps) several times - it happened like 1 in 10 times. Later I learned that when it does not engage the reverse lights are not working either. Trouble is that it is getting much more frequent, and while I was reversing into a dark garage today it gave me a headache - I could only use the breaklights to get some light behind me! Once, I have tried to play with changing gears all over, but it didn't help.

My question: is this 100% the switch (I'm afraid), or is there anything else to check?

My question #2: under which side wheel would I find it on the LHD model? And please also tell me if it's left (where the driver sits in Europe) or right (passenger's) because this near-side off-side thing is confusing me! (sorry)

And the last question: is it something I would be able to replace, without car fixing experience (i.e. is it similar to changing the dipped-beam light bulb, or is it much harder to do?). Is it still possible to get the replacement switch, or is it possible to fix it somehow?

Thanks for your tips / ideas in advance!

 

[rado]

The reverse lamp switch fuse on my MG ZT-T is fuse number 23 in the passenger compartment under the glove box.Make sure you check it before assuming it is the switch.Did mine this morning.Fuse had blown.

The problem is I never managed to open the compartment! No problems with the fuse box under the bonnet but this is so badly located it is a pain.

But I checked that the fuse for the parking aid and the fuse for the reversle lights are different, and since both died at the same time, I think it's the switch rather than a fuse. But I'll take your recommendation and will try to get into the fuse box this weekend

 

[rado]

Various opinions online as to whether it is tested or not, but decided to fix it anyway.

Can't comment on UK MOT, but in Slovakia they DO check this while checking all the other lights on the car (it's called STK here - short for station of technical inspection). In my case, the switch failed just 1-2 weeks after I passed back in 2008