R32 reverse lights

[simoncs]

Just picked up an R32. Only one reverse light is working, I presume there should be two?
I know some small cars only have one...

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[rpstry]

There is only the one, the other is a rear fog light (is on my GT).
Is the case for most of the vw line-up.

[h100vw]

There is only the one, the other is a rear fog light (is on my GT).
Is the case for most of the vw line-up.

VW save 10 cents on every car doing that. It all adds up! :P

gavin

[simoncs]

Ok thanks guys. That saves a trip back to the garage then at least :-)

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[benough]

You can make it two.

You remove the rear fog light, and the red lens inside.

Then splice a wire from the reverse light into the foglight circuit and voila!

The only downside is, when you put the rear fog on, it puts on the reverse lights and activates whatever is attached to the circuit i.e. reverse camera etc.

Worth it imho, I can actually see when I reverse at night :-)

[h100vw]

I reckon a blocking diode or 2 would help out with those issues.

Gavin

[benough]

Isn't a diode like a one way valve for electricity?

How would I calculate what I need?

[h100vw]

No calculations to do, just pick one that will handle the current you are flowing through it. 21W (atts) divided by 13V (olts) less than 2 amps, so any 12v 2 amp diode would work. They wouldn't be on long enough to get over heated.

There's a stripe on the end of them. Current will not flow into that side of the diode, it will only flow out that end. If that makes sense?

Also, there would be a .6 volt drop between the source and the far side of the diode but that would have little affect on the light bulb.

Give me a few minutes and I'll have a look on Jaycars website.

Gavin

[benough]

Brilliant, thanks Gav!

So, if the diode works, when I put the rear fog on, it will just keep the reverse light off, and I'll have a clear/white light fog?

[h100vw]

Brilliant, thanks Gav!

So, if the diode works, when I put the rear fog on, it will just keep the reverse light off, and I'll have a clear/white light fog?

Yeah, in the trade you call them blocking diodes, so put one in the feed wire to whatever you want to stop the power getting to.

I would have the stripe at the fog light end of the extra wire you spliced in. Assuming I have read your method correctly.

I found a Jaycar catalogue at work and the 1N5404 400V 3A should be well up to the job. 25 cents each. Get a few, not just one.

Gavin

[brimway]

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f15/twin-reverse-light-no-red-fog-diy-34312.html

[benough]

Thanks Gav, will try it out.

If it works I'm sure it will be a great addition to the DIY.

As an aside, the fog light should be a white and a red LED that change based upon reverse or the rear fog switch.

Maybe on the Golf 7 ;-)

[h100vw]

Thanks Gav, will try it out.

If it works I'm sure it will be a great addition to the DIY.

As an aside, the fog light should be a white and a red LED that change based upon reverse or the rear fog switch.

Maybe on the Golf 7 ;-)

Wouldn't be too hard to fit a big white LED into the fog light and do that. Prolly look better if you bought the reversing light rear cluster from a LHD car, whichever side is best I don't know. Then fit a big ass pair if red LEDs in there as well.

Gavin

[benough]

Alright, who wants to take this on?