hi new to site

i have a 2000 slx tdi octavia that keeps blowing the reversing light fuses . it only happened occasionally at first so i diconnected my towbar electrics first. it stopped then two weeks later everytime i put car into reverse it blew the fuse. i have disconnected leads and plugs individually and it still blows . i have traced the loom up to behind the glove box and no obvious shorts. there is no corrosion at any plugs or joints

fuse box looks ok

havent touched back of fuse box or reversing sensor on gear box

any help will be most appreciated

cheers jgc

How did you disconnect the towbar wiring? Is it any worse, say in the wet?

You don't need to check the rear of the fusebox. The wiring between the fuse and the reversing switch on gearbox is OK, otherwise you would find it blowing when you were not in reverse.

It could be...

the return wire from the switch to the 6-pin connector at the bulkhead.

the wire from the connector to rear of the car

the cable between the two clusters

one of the clusters - it's worth taking them out to check nothing is bridging tracks on the circuit board

extra wiring to towbar.

You don't need to check the rear of the fusebox. The wiring between the fuse and the reversing switch on gearbox is OK, otherwise you would find it blowing when you were not in reverse.

It could be...

the return wire from the switch to the 6-pin connector at the bulkhead.

the wire from the connector to rear of the car

the cable between the two clusters

one of the clusters - it's worth taking them out to check nothing is bridging tracks on the circuit board

extra wiring to towbar.

hi

have checked both clusters and both look ok. cable between clusters looks ok

tow bar elecs are now removed and in a box in boot and all connections made good

it happens in wet and dry conditions

How did you disconnect the towbar wiring? Is it any worse, say in the wet?

completely removed and in a box in boot allwiring taped up so cannot short

wet or dry no difference

Sounds like you have an intermittent short to ground in the wiring or lamp cluster.

I suggest the following:

First disconnect at the reversing switch, the blue and black wire that goes to the reversing lights. If the fuse still blows the the fault is in the switch.

If the switch is ok, then connect a 12 v buzzer (preferred) or lamp bulb in series with the switch and the wire you took off. Then when the short occurs you will be able tell by the buzzer or lamp indication without blowing the fuse. With an assistant you can then wiggle the wire along its length and fiddle with the light clusters, plugs etc to find the short to ground.

Edit: You will need to take out the reversing light bulbs first to avoid confusing results.

Mike

Edited 10 October, 201015 yr by pikpilot

Sounds like you have an intermittent short to ground in the wiring or lamp cluster.

I suggest the following:

First disconnect at the reversing switch, the blue and black wire that goes to the reversing lights. If the fuse still blows the the fault is in the switch.

If the switch is ok, then connect a 12 v buzzer (preferred) or lamp bulb in series with the switch and the wire you took off. Then when the short occurs you will be able tell by the buzzer or lamp indication without blowing the fuse. With an assistant you can then wiggle the wire along its length and fiddle with the light clusters, plugs etc to find the short to ground.

Edit: You will need to take out the reversing light bulbs first to avoid confusing results.

Mike

cheers i found the short it was on the reversing switch on the engine have taped it up and havent blown a fuse yet so hopefully the problem is cured

many thanks to all who posted solutions