1985 318 Back up lights switch

Back up lights will not come on. All fuses and bulbs good. Does anyone know where the switch is accessed from?

underneathe the center console. i think if you just remove the shifter boot its somewhat right there. and thats on the 5spd

^not in my experience.. has been on the side of the gearbox only acessable from underneath the car on the right hand side (could be left though). This is on ZF4HP22 and Getrag240 gearboxes anyway

Originally Posted by Ethrty

^not in my experience.. has been on the side of the gearbox only acessable from underneath the car on the right hand side (could be left though). This is on ZF4HP22 and Getrag240 gearboxes anyway

you sure? i thought mine was right on top of the tranny tunnel by the shifter bushing.........of course im going off something i never messed with either

Originally Posted by Ethrty

^not in my experience.. has been on the side of the gearbox only acessable from underneath the car on the right hand side (could be left though). This is on ZF4HP22 and Getrag240 gearboxes anyway

I have not experienced the 240 gearbox, but that's what's in the OP's car. 85 and later car's got the Getrag 260

Manual transmissions have the reverse light switch underneath the car on the tranny case on the passenger side, accessible from underneath car. On automatic transmissions, the switch is near/underneath the shift, accessible from inside the car.

I have 1987 325 and it looks the same problem for back up lights. It will work only if you shake the stick whilst on the reverse mode. the light will come on.

The question now is does he have a 5 speed or auto?

reviving this thread... I have the same problem (no lights on reverse) ... bulbs and fuses are all ok... Mine is a 5-speed manual... need help can pass state inspection w/o the light i think...

On top of the transmission there's 2 wires that go to a reverse switch change that n should fix it... Should make sure getting power to it first though but that was my problem

Originally Posted by 03bmw525i

Manual transmissions have the reverse light switch underneath the car on the tranny case on the left side, accessible from underneath car. On automatic transmissions, the switch is near/underneath the shift, accessible from inside the car.

quoted for 100% truth, only tickled for a global audience. i hate the words passengers-side and drivers-side. This applies for all E30 getrag manuals and ZF autos. ZF manuals may be different

The civilised world has the steering wheel on the RIGHT side
Nuff said

Japan and the UK not civilised huh?

The last time I drove in the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand & almost all of Africa I was sitting on the right hand side...
Been out in the pub eh Cobber

Originally Posted by Nick323

The last time I drove in the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand & almost all of Africa I was sitting on the right hand side...
Been out in the pub eh Cobber

just a few at home, sorry, must have misread it, was 20 minutes before midnight too, sleep probably had set in.

the actual switch for it is on the trans somewhere, the connector for it is under the lower center console between the shift boot and the ash tray

I'm having this same problem with my 87 325is! guys, where is the switch actually? side of tranny, or underneath the shift boot? is there any way to fix this without dropping the tranny? Thats way too big a job for me...

Originally Posted by 15Michaeljoseph

I'm having this same problem with my 87 325is! guys, where is the switch actually? side of tranny, or underneath the shift boot? is there any way to fix this without dropping the tranny? Thats way too big a job for me...

you need to get to both places if your're gonna replace it.

the actual switch is on the side of the tranny.

the connector from the switch to the wiring in the car should be somewhere under the lower center console under the shift boot.

Originally Posted by 1991318i

you need to get to both places if your're gonna replace it.

the actual switch is on the side of the tranny.

the connector from the switch to the wiring in the car should be somewhere under the lower center console under the shift boot.

yup

Underneath shift boot there's a 2 wire connector that runs on top of the transmission to the reverse switch... I've had to replace the switch and those wires takes alot of patience but there's no need to pull the transmission

it shouldn't take that much patience. it took me like 5 minutes to do only because i accidentally grabbed the wrong size socket.

just grab a wire hanger that you dont care much about and feed it down

I'm talking bout the reverse switch if needing replacement.. Yes wires are easy to replace

yea... thats what im talking about