Ignition Light comes on when in reverse

Hi all,

I understand that this may be a common fault (at least on series 2 Spiders), the ignition light glows dimly when reverse gear is selected. I have been told it has something to do with the reversing light shorting which effects the charging circuit.

It is only noticeable at night and I have been told that it is quite common and not to worry about it but I would like to know if there is a cure.

Has anyone got any ideas?

Never heard of that one or seen it on mine. May be that's why I have no reverse light.
Erik

There may be some help here:

Electrical Question.. Help - Alfa Romeo Bulletin Board & Forums

Thanks for the link to the thread, it would appear that I am not alone having this problem.

The alternator seems fine so I assume the reversing light is shorting and I bet because other people have experienced the same problem the bad earth or short is probably occuring in the same place.

I would not be surprised if it is happening to other people and they have not realised. It is only noticeable in the dark and because the ignition light is quite faint you have to look at the instrument to see it.

Have a go, with the lights off start the car wait until the ignition light goes off select reverse and check to see if there is a dim glow.

If there is and you manage to find the source please let me know.

Maybe you shouldn't be looking at the dashboard when you are going backwards!

My reversing light doesn't work.

Wots a reversing light
mine never had one so I just have to be careful

It's the reverse light switch. I've had that on my Alfetta and after replacing the switch it dissappeared for good! After a while, oil gets to the internals of the switch, but that's not a problem as the switch is mader to handle it. The problem arises when microscopic conductive particles in the oil start creating a slight short circuit when reverse is selected... You can change the gearbox oil, but once the metalic particles are in the switch, an oil change won't do much good...

I agree, it would appear that the switch is the root of the problem, unfortunately there are two types of switch, one is available and the other isn't, you can guess which one I have.

Replacement of the switch is an gearbox out job which probably explains why some owners have simply disconnected the reversing lights, I will just live with the slight glow from the ignition switch.

Thanks for the replies.