The things you learn about a 7-yr-old car...

My '02 NB 5sp, I have just learned, activates its backup lights only when the clutch is engaged - apparently by the clutch switch.

All other cars I have had, the lights are activated by the tranny going into reverse gear.

I _guess_ that makes sense.....

TDIfor said:

My '02 NB 5sp, I have just learned, activates its backup lights only when the clutch is engaged - apparently by the clutch switch.

All other cars I have had, the lights are activated by the tranny going into reverse gear.

I _guess_ that makes sense.....

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__. I have never had an NB but this seems wrong to me. Do *all* NB's do this????

Most likely a loose wiring issue?

Yeah...something is up with that. The reverse sensor is located on the shift tower on the transmission so the lights should come on when you shift into reverse and should be on regardless if the clutch is engaged or not.

isnt the reverse switch located on the transmission bell housing by the linkage and not inside the vehicle?

check out your wiring. I had something similarly wrong with my harness: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2424741&postcount=32

At least you HAVE them. I know several 97-98 Jettas with absolutely NO reverse lights.

yeah, nothing to do with the clutch per factory wiring.

Maybe something to do with the connexion at the backup switch, on the shift tower next to the transmission. When my clutch was changed, the guy saw that the backup switch wiring was torn apart. Fortunately, he was able to repair it with the wiring from another broken tranny he had in his garage. Maybe, it's a similar situation on your case.

A guru replaced my backup switch a few years ago, because it had been corroded due to a leaking battery. But this behavior was very precise and quite specific... and the only reason I noticed it was because I was backing into a darkened area of a parking garage and I could see behind me.

In reverse, with clutch pedal fully depressed, no backup lights. As soon as the clutch became slightly engaged, the lights came on. I experimented with this several times in amazement (I am easily amused), so its was not a one-off experience. The lights were clearly being triggered by the clutch switch.

(First car I have had with a clutch switch, and this seems like a switch too many, given VWs trackrecord, but that is another thread.)

When I am out of the car, the engine off and the lights on, the backup lights are on, but then the clutch pedal is fully released (clutch fully engaged) at that point.

TDIfor said:

When I am out of the car, the engine off and the lights on, the backup lights are on, but then the clutch pedal is fully released (clutch fully engaged) at that point.

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So..the clutch pedal switch, when depressed, is shutting OFF the back-up lights. Strange..but it is a VW.

for awhile whenever I put the brakes on ,the backup lights on my 02 golf would go on ,I never did anything and it seems the problem has gone away I have since got a recall letter from VW canada to replace the brake switch , the dealer replaced the switch when they did the TB .

jettawreck said:

So..the clutch pedal switch, when depressed, is shutting OFF the back-up lights. Strange..but it is a VW.

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That is correct...

I figure this isn't a bug, its an undocumented feature.

TDIfor said:

That is correct...
I figure this isn't a bug, its an undocumented feature.

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You must work for Microsoft!

TDIfor said:

In reverse, with clutch pedal fully depressed, no backup lights. As soon as the clutch became slightly engaged, the lights came on. I experimented with this several times in amazement (I am easily amused), so its was not a one-off experience. The lights were clearly being triggered by the clutch switch.

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I'm just taking a wild-a$$ guess here, but I suspect that you may be getting an intermittent on/off connection due to rotational engine torque when you let out or press in the clutch. You may want to take a closer look at the wires/sensor on the top of the tranny.

I can say my 03 Jetta's backup lights are WEAK. If I'm backing up in the dark, I need someone standing behind my car directing me, because I cant' see squat by those lights.

need4speed said:

I can say my 03 Jetta's backup lights are WEAK. If I'm backing up in the dark, I need someone standing behind my car directing me, because I cant' see squat by those lights.

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Yep. Those on my '02 are worthless. I'm thinking about rigging up some small but bright auxiliary lights, mounted to my hitch's crosspiece, via a relay.

I used the extra (clear on my car) rear light panels for extra backup lights rather than extra brake lights. It really helps with the tint that I have.

Dan

Nico3d3 said:

Maybe something to do with the connexion at the backup switch, on the shift tower next to the transmission. When my clutch was changed, the guy saw that the backup switch wiring was torn apart. Fortunately, he was able to repair it with the wiring from another broken tranny he had in his garage. Maybe, it's a similar situation on your case.

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Maybe your mechanic noted the torn wiring because he forgot to unplug the backup switch harness from the tranny before removing it from the engine...

Not saying he did it, just saying it's a possibility.