hi there all, this is my first ever post, i put my 2006 fabia 1.2 54bhp, into my local skoda dealer for its anual service, it has only 51,000 miles from new with full skoda history. when i went to pick it up service manager said there were 3 items picked up on service, 1- indicators showing white light. 2- rear exhaust heat shield hanging down. 3- reversing lights inoperative. when asked how much to fix they were unable to give a price as they would have to investigate why the reversing lights were not working. i then took the car home and checked the condition of the heat shield and found the round clips had failed and the heat shield was indeed hanging down, i then checked the reversing lights and indeed they were not working. i then went to my motor factors and bought indicator bulbs and new clips for the heat shield. it was now drizalling with rain so i put the car half way into my lockup garage, i firstly re secured the heat shield with the new clips, so heat shield is now perfectly secure, i then wanted to do the front indicator bulbs but as it was drizalling with rain i wanted to reverse the car further into my garage, so i started the car put it into reverse gear and the whole garage illuminated in bright light. yes the reversing lights were working. i put it in and out of reverse a good few times and all times the lights came on. now was it just co insidance that the lights started to work again or is it that the heat shield acts as some sort of circuit to allow the reversing lights to work. either way the reversing lights are all working now,  any body got any ideas. 

It may be that there is a wire connecting to the reverse light switch on the gearbox that is almost broken. So sometimes it is making contact and the circuit works when reverse gear is selected, sometimes not.  Or it may be that the switch itself is only working sometimes, due to dirty or worn electrical contacts within the switch.  

It will be completely unrelated to the exhaust heatshield.

 

Reverse light switch is here: 

 

 

 

The wires are very thin, and often crack near to the connector cable entry due to engine movement/vibration.

 

 

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by Wino

thank you for your quick reply, i will check my reverse lights when reverse parking in the morning at work, to see if there is a time when they dont come on.  thank you.

I don't think it will be too long; electrics rarely heal themselves. 

Broken wires are a very common occurrence, so have a look in that area next time you get a chance, you may see some cracked insulation with corroded wire inside.

Also check the fuse for corrosion on either connection. Fuse no.13 in the cabin fuseholder.

 

 

Mk1 Fabia Cabin Fuses.pdf

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by Wino

Quote

, 1- indicators showing white light

Possibly part of the orange lacquer on the bulbs  has peeled off. Nice little earner for the dealer ,and also an easy fix for you. I'd try ECP online to see if they have any offers

on. If not, they'll still ( IMHO) be cheaper online ( click & collect) than the dealers or the usual car places.

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by VWD

^ OP has already bought the indicator bulbs.

 

Quote

i then went to my motor factors and bought indicator bulbs and new clips for the heat shield.

 

Edited 10 December, 20196 yr by TMB