[s-cars] Re: Several Sudden problems

[William Noland]

Franco is correct on #5. Check to see if the backup lights are working, when the tranny is in reverse. The good news is, that it is probably a bad connection to the backup switch on the tranny. You can see the switch sticking out of the right (passenger) side of the tranny from the engine
compartment. Disconnect the electrical connector and clean it (I use a spray can of electrical motor cleaner, which you can pick up at any auto parts store -- be careful, as the stuff is flammable and can take your skin off). Plug 'er back in and you should have a dipping mirror and backup lights.

In the event that the backup switch is bad, it is accessible, though a bit of a reach, on the UrS. The electrical cleaner solves a number of connection issues, though. Seems the UrS is a little touchy about good connections.

The other problems might require the proverbial reboot -- might try disconnecting the battery (after you've located your radio code). Sounds rather Bill Gatesian, I know, but sometimes cures electrical wierdness. Should the phone stay locked, the unlock code is often the last four digits of the phone
number.

Bill Noland


> Don't have an idea about the others, but on #5:
>
> On Mon, Jun 28, 2004 at 06:24:28AM -0400, Robert Myers wrote:
> > 5.  A few days earlier the right mirror reverse gear dip feature stopped
> > working.  The selector switch remains in the right mirror selected
> > position.  Switching it back and forth from side to side had no effect.  So
> > where do I look for the source of the problem?
>
> Check if your back-up(reverse) lights are working.
> The mirror dip is driven off the reverse switch.
> No dip, no back up lights.
>
> I'm told there's a switch sticking out of the tranny that is
> activated by some internal component when the tranny is put
> into reverse.  The switch is hard to get to with the tranny
> mounted in the car, but not impossible.
>
> I had the corresponding switch fail on my 95 A6 q automatic, and
> on the automatic it's even worse to replace.  On the auto cars
> you have to remove the left side tranny mount to get to it!