Blowing Backup Light Fuse

[quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <960904022357_276711077@emout08.mail.aol.com> LCSCHADT@aol.com writes:

> I keep blowing the fuse for my backup light, instruments (tach/fuel guage, &)
> on my '87-5ksq.  Some times go a week between events, other times 2-3 times
> in one day.  One and only time I've actually noticed the guages go as I
> watched, it was as I put it into reverse, and another time (before that) I
> replaced the fuse,  started the car, had the guages,  put it into reverse,
> off the parking break,  started to back out of the drive, and had lost them
> by the time I looked back at the guages.  But it doesn't happen every time I
> put it into reverse.  As the "ABS off" light comes on for about a minute
> after the fuse blows (and every time one restarts the car until the fuse is
> replaced) I think I would have noticed had it blown during initial startup
> (when I always check the guages), or if it went while driving - so I'm pretty
> sure it is somewhere in the backup light circuit.

ROF,L.  I was flatbedded by the AA from Kettering to BRM in Leamington for this 
very fault yesterday.

In my case, the wire between the fuse and the switch had chafed through on top 
of the gearbox.  It wasn't connecting the back part of the circuit that was 
causing the problem - it was the gearbox shifting in a slightly different 
manner producing a contact on the fusebox side of the switch.  Martin at BRM 
fixed it for me.

(When I realised what the problem was, I called John Robinson - treasurer of 
 the UK quattro Owners Club - and let him laugh at me.  It's only fair - I 
 laughed at him about it only a week ago.  We spent half an hour or so
 chuckling about my misfortune yesterday evening.  If anyone in the UK will
 be at the meeting at the Robin Hood between Buckingham and Brackley 
 tomorrow evening, you will be able to admire Martin's handiwork on my
 wiring loom and engine bay yesterday.)

--
 Phil Payne
 phil@sievers.com
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club