Firstly - this existing reverse light switch thread is great and really useful, but I have additional questions and specific circumstances, so your patience is much appreciated 😁

Reverse light out on 2011 Fabia SE TSi 1.2. It's not the bulb.

Knowing that Fabias have some easter eggs, if it was your car, what order would you check:

• the fuse

• the switch

• the bits of the loom someone without a garage, drive or much equipment can get at?

For added context, I'm neither very strong or mobile at the moment, having had major surprise surgery only a few weeks ago and still being a bit fragile and sore.

So while I can get the rear light cluster off (already have done to check bulb - couldn't see immediate wiring issues), and can probably remove some of the interior boot trim, as I've done it before to fix a parcel shelf clip, I doubt I can do much involving jacks or being under the car.

For added fun, the MOT is on Friday...

Even if I can't fix it myself, I'd really like to diagnose so I can shortcut whoever does.

Update: it's not the fuse. Bugger.

And fuse also has power. Whipped out my multimeter after a quick revision about how to continuity test, plus make sure power's getting to the fuse.

If anyone else is electrics-nervous, I highly recommend this video on doing exactly what I've just done - testing car fuses on the bench, and in situ.

If you remove some of the air ducting between front of car and airbox, you may have enough view downwards to see the reverse light switch on the front face of gearbox, low down, and particularly the wiring exiting from its connector. Not sure. Might have to ease the odd coolant hose aside.

Might be able to spot a broken, dangling wire that way, rather than having to get under the car.

Have you checked your getting 12v to the actual bulb. If you are it may be an earth problem. I assume you checked bulb actually lights up. Have had a few that didnt look visibly blown but were Could also be a connection problem in bulb holder.

Alasdair

4 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

If you remove some of the air ducting between front of car and airbox, you may have enough view downwards to see the reverse light switch on the front face of gearbox, low down, and particularly the wiring exiting from its connector. Not sure. Might have to ease the odd coolant hose aside.

Might be able to spot a broken, dangling wire that way, rather than having to get under the car.

Thank you. I’ll see what I can reach to remove and bring out all the big lights.

Can only just see the body of the connector, but too much other stuff in the way of seeing wires emerging from back of it, sadly.

2 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

Have you checked your getting 12v to the actual bulb. If you are it may be an earth problem. I assume you checked bulb actually lights up. Have had a few that didnt look visibly blown but were Could also be a connection problem in bulb holder.

Alasdair

Thanks, bulb defo works - I swapped the reverse and tail light bulbs over to be sure.

When I took the light cluster off I didn’t have my trusty multimeter so haven’t checked yet, but the bulb swap felt like sufficient evidence that no power was getting to the fitting, but I should look more closely at the wiring that’s visible there anyway.

This was without removing anything, just looking to the right of the duct that goes from front of car.

Highlighted connector in this copy

10 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Can only just see the body of the connector, but too much other stuff in the way of seeing wires emerging from back of it, sadly.

I really appreciate this recce, thank you!

3 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

This was without removing anything, just looking to the right of the duct that goes from front of car.

Highlighted connector in this copy

This is really helpful, at least I know what I’m looking for now if I can get the angles right.