The reversing lights on my wifes Fabia aren't working (1.4 8V petrol 2001). I've checked the bulbs and the fuses and they're fine. If I disconnect the wires to the switch on the gearbox and short them out the lights come on so it must be the switch in the box. Also when I disconnect the plug from the switch some oil comes out and the plug innards are saturated with oil which I assume isn't right?

 

So I've ordered a new switch from Eurocarparts and I assume it's just a case of unscrew the old one, catch the oil and replace? Am I correct in thinking that the oli filler plug is the 17mm hex socket screw above the sensor?

Anyone?

Electrical connections certainly shouldn't be bathed in oil.  Sounds like a diaphragm in the innards of the switch has bust.

The 5th diagram down on this page suggests that you are basically correct about the replacement procedure.  I'm not familiar with the layout myself, but it seems reasonable that the fill plug is around halfway up the casing.

Note the mention of a sealant when fitting.

Thanks. I'll have to try to track down that sealant.

I changed it on my car several weeks ago. It seems you want to top off the Gearbox oil after changing it, isn't it? Don't! Change it completely. My car has 50K on the clock and the oil was in a horrific shape. Change it. Almost all the oil would drain from the switch opening; you won't be adding work on yourself. You need around 2L of 75w90 oil which is recommend to be synthetic. You got the filling/level plug right and you don't any sealants. I checked the old switch and it does not have any products on it except the old oil. Don't go crazy tightening the new switch though! It threads to the aluminum gearbox casing.

You lose no oil if you jack the front end up high enough. Changed my switch last week, about £12 for a genuine from TPS.

 

I didn't use any sealant, the switch was pre-coated in thread lock.  The old switch had nowt on it.

 

If you wanted to do the box oil then all I can say is vRs fully synth...just prepare for the cost!  I have a much better gear change on the SDI since the oil change.

Edited 5 September, 201312 yr by ickleginge