Reverse lights only work of gearstick in certain position ?

Hi all

Got no reverse lights of of a sudden. Got powee going back to the light - auto electrician verified this.

Reverse lights flicker on and come on when I wiggle the gearstick (whilst in reverse) -
Its as if the signal is intermittent and needs to be just right

Auto elec reckons the gear rods need adjusting somehow - can this actually be done?!

Or is it likely to be the switch on the box - he didnt think so as we could make the reverse lights come on by wiggling the gearstick


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Is it a 1.8 DX GTI with MFA and the multiplug on the G/B?

Yeah think so! 1984 GTI cab. Has MfA and large plug on gearbox, one half of the wires coming off it are black/blue and black.


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The switches inside are quite fine, mine played up and I found a guide on how re-jigg a replacement to work (the available replacement switches are/were wired differently).

Also the loom from the switch links onto the main loom and the connector can corrode.

Ok cheers, so in absence of loom being faulty it can only be the switch?

Is the switch easy to change? Any guides about? Which switch did you buy?


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There's only 2 bolts that hold the switch onto the top of the gearbox, remove the switch and check the pins are working and not worn down.

The switch looks like this (check it's the right on?)
Lots of places sell them, this is the 1st one I found so shop around if needing a new switch.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363560300072?hash=item54a5e1ee28:g:e2IAAOSwOUphpmMY

Info on the reversing light switch.

Reverse Wiring

There are two bolts, they are a bit awkward to get at and if still original are star/bi-hex socket headed to add to the entertainment value of removing them.

Look like normal bolts, is is doable without taking off the air meter etc? Assume it just unbolts,
Pulls out and then new one slides back in? I presume a dodgy switch would cause it to only work if gearstick is in a certain position? There is a little bit of play in reverse only, side to side even though the rods are new


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Plug currently on the car


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Bridging these two gives reverse lights so loom appears to be all ok


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Another pic of the plug currently on the car.

The switch itself has 4 pins along the right side (viewing facing the engine) and 2 on the left


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What's on the gearbox?

Could be someone has change the gearbox as later cars had a different revering light switch which only has 2 pins.

2 pin switch.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200824519873?hash=item2ec212fcc1:g:SdwAAOSwnDpaFTjw

On gearbox is a socket with 4 pins one side and 2 lins next to it - car is 1984 gti cab with mfa


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www.brokevw.com  has alot of information on the reverse light switch.

I would try a new switch, I've had to replace mine twice.
Make sure the new seal if fitted correctly or you can get an oil leak.


New switch, you can email to check it's the right one for your car.

https://www.classic-vw.co.uk/gti-reverse-switch-with-mfa-191919823-mk1-golf-caddy-jetta-mk2-16142-p.asp

Just make sure your linkage hasn't moved slightly. I thought mine had packed up but the linkage needed a tweak and all was fine. 

I bought a new switch but didn't need to use it!! 🤬

Good point, how do I adjust the linkages? Definately feels like there is a little bit of side to side movement in reverse which could be causing the issue rather than the switch!


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A brown Haynes manual is a good start but a garage would be able to help if you're not mechanically minded. 

If the car hasn't had the linkage done it could be worn and sloppy, potentially affecting the reverse switches operation. 

Yeah I got a brown Haynes coming, good point. Gear feels nice and tight apart from a little bit of movement in reverse.


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