Re: [alfa] Spider Reverse Lights

["Gwynne W. Spencer" <gwynnes1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It appears that there is a high (relatively high)  resistance in the 
reverse switch which causes a large voltage drop when the  bulb current is 
needed.

How are you checking the validity of the reverse switch? If you are using 
an ohmeter, it probably shows a very low value, but a mere 10 ohms would 
cause a 10 volt drop if the bulb currents added up to 10 amps.  If you 
have, or can borrow a high quality digital meter, you can check to see what 
the closed switch resistance really is. anything over 1 or 2 ohms indicates 
a suspect switch.

Find out what current the bulbs take for current and add them up.

If the switch has a resistance of only 10 ohms or so, you could jury rig a 
fix by having the switch connected to a 12 volt relay that needs only a few 
tenths of an amp to operate and have the relay contacts connected to 12 
volt source and the bulbs.

Gwynne Spencer

At 07:14 PM 4/11/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>I've been trying to troubleshoot the reverse lights on my '89 Spider so
>that I can get my insurance certificate this spring. However, at this
>point I'm stumped.
>
>I have isolated the switch at the connectors where it emerges at the
>base of the transmission and have confirmed using an ohm meter that the
>switch does in fact work.
>
>I have verified battery voltage at the other side of those same
>connectors. When I "jumper" past the switch both reverse lights come on
>in full glory.
>
>So I'm out of ideas. If the switch works and the lights and circuitry
>to the rear of the car work then how can they not work together???
>
>Any and all ideas would be appreciated.
>
>Barry
>'89 Spider
>Windsor, Ontario
>Canada
>
>
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