backup light problem ?

J

John Buchtenkirch

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A new problem with my 72 coupe, as soon as I turn on the ignition key, the backup lights come on without even being in reverse ! Not that it should matter but it does happen with all the lights off. When I do shift into reverse the backup lights become instantly brighter. Any advice is much appreciated, electrical problems are not really my strong point. THANKS ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
Jerky switch

your back up switch is not releasing all the way. The contacts or rod are not retracting.( completely.) You can try to clean it with a penetrant once you take it out, roll the rod, etc. Otherwise it's a $17 part to replace.
 
Yes,

it is. But in your case it is more likely a light, bulb, wiring issue. Try checking the grounds in the trunk and connections first.
 
We need to be a little more specific for the case where any tail lights don't work, because Hans und Fritz have played a little joke in there for us.

Start with the easy things... is the fuse okay, is the light bulb good. Use your tester to check whether power is getting to the socket.

Then comes the joke part. The tail lights on each side have a common ground "bus bar", a thin bit of brass(?) about 1/4 inch wide that bridges all the sockets. But it's held on with steel rivets, and over time Monsieur Galvan does his thing, and the electrical bond between the steel rivets and brass bar is no workie.

At this point one may utter some pithy comment as to the charm and quirkiness of old cars, or take to stronger language. Once past that, one can individually rig a ground for each socket, or if really, ahem, attentive, drill out the steel rivets and replace with brass. Or you can do something else. Lotsa luck.
 
Another possibility

John,

Have you done anything with the switch mounted on the tranny? When I replaced mine I added an aluminum crush washer that caused the same problem. Took it out and installed without the washer and it worked as it should. The slide mechanism inside the transmission that engages the depressible pin on the switch are not well designed and they barely engage each other. There is very little tolerance for things to be off.
 
part number ???

Thanks :smile: for everyone’s helpful input. This winter (if not sooner) I will have to change out the noisy front bearing in my 265 Getrag. I will replace the backup light switch at the same time & also test it before putting the tranny back in the car. Does anyone know the part number :?: for the backup light switch ? My dealer can’t seem to help me because I can’t give him the information (year, model & serial number) on exactly what car my 265 Getrag came in. ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
HB Chris said:
2314135407]

I would find a new parts guy, he obviously knows nothing about 80's vintage BMWs!
Click to expand...

Ditto! What a lazy and idiotic SOB of a parts guy. Other than the 2002, there was just one backup switch for all BMW's for almost 30 years up to the mid 1990's. Finding the proper part number for the switch should have taken not more than a few minutes. That BMW dealer ought to can this dummy.
 
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