1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 Reverse Light Not Working [Quick Fixes]

There’s nothing more frustrating than a car problem that you can’t seem to figure out. And when it comes to Volkswagens, the reverse light not working is a common issue that can cause a lot of headaches. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this troubleshooting guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix the problem so you can get back on the road in no time.

Why 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 Reverse Light Not Working

Burnt-out bulb

The most common cause of a reverse light not working is a burnt-out bulb. To check if this is the case, you can look at the bulb in the tail light housing. If the bulb is blackened or cracked, it needs to be replaced.

Bad wiring

Another common cause of a reverse light not working is a problem with the wiring. The wiring for the reverse lights is typically located in the trunk, so you will need to access the trunk to check the wiring. If the wiring is damaged, it will need to be repaired or replaced.

Faulty switch

The reverse light switch is located in the transmission. If the switch is faulty, it will not send the signal to the lights to turn on. To check if the switch is faulty, you can use a multimeter to test the voltage at the switch. If there is no voltage at the switch, the switch needs to be replaced.

Faulty relay

The reverse light relay is located in the fuse box. If the relay is faulty, it will not send the signal to the lights to turn on. To check if the relay is faulty, you can use a multimeter to test the voltage at the relay. If there is no voltage at the relay, the relay needs to be replaced.

How to Troubleshoot: 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 Reverse Light Not Working

Symptoms

If your 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse lights are not working, you may experience the following symptoms:

The reverse lights do not come on when you shift into reverse.
The reverse lights come on, but they are very dim.
The reverse lights come on, but they flicker.
The reverse lights come on, but they stay on even when you are not in reverse.

Causes

There are a number of possible causes for a 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse light not working. These include:

A blown fuse.
A faulty reverse light switch.
A faulty reverse light bulb.
A faulty reverse light wiring harness.
A faulty reverse light relay.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the cause of a 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse light not working, you will need to:

1. Check the fuses.
2. Check the reverse light switch.
3. Check the reverse light bulbs.
4. Check the reverse light wiring harness.
5. Check the reverse light relay.

Troubleshooting

Once you have diagnosed the cause of the 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse light not working, you can troubleshoot the problem as follows:

If a fuse is blown, replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage.
If the reverse light switch is faulty, replace it with a new reverse light switch.
If the reverse light bulb is faulty, replace it with a new reverse light bulb.
If the reverse light wiring harness is faulty, repair or replace the wiring harness.
If the reverse light relay is faulty, replace it with a new reverse light relay.

Prevention

To prevent your 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse lights from not working, you can take the following steps:

Avoid overloading the reverse light circuit.
Keep the reverse light wiring harness free of damage.
Replace the reverse light bulbs as soon as they start to dim.
Replace the reverse light switch as soon as it starts to malfunction.

Conclusion

If your 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse lights are not working, you can troubleshoot the problem yourself by following the steps in this article. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, you can take your vehicle to a qualified Volkswagen mechanic for repairs.

FAQs

Why is my 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse light not working?

There are a few possible reasons why your 1991 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 reverse light may not be working. Here are some of the most common causes:

A blown fuse: The first thing you should check is the fuse for the reverse lights. If the fuse is blown, you will need to replace it.

A faulty switch: The reverse light switch is located on the transmission. If the switch is faulty, it will not send power to the reverse lights. You will need to replace the switch.

A bad ground: The reverse lights need a good ground in order to work properly. If the ground is bad, the lights will not turn on. You will need to clean or repair the ground connection.

A faulty bulb: The reverse lights are made up of bulbs. If one of the bulbs is burnt out, the lights will not work. You will need to replace the burnt-out bulb.

How do I check the fuse for the reverse lights?

To check the fuse for the reverse lights, you will need to:

1. Open the fuse box. The fuse box is located under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
2. Find the fuse for the reverse lights. The fuse for the reverse lights is usually labeled Reverse Lights or R/L.
3. Remove the fuse from the fuse box.
4. Use a multimeter to check the fuse. The multimeter should read 0 ohms if the fuse is good.
5. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage.

How do I replace the reverse light switch?

To replace the reverse light switch, you will need to:

1. Open the trunk.
2. Locate the reverse light switch. The reverse light switch is located on the transmission.
3. Remove the two bolts that hold the switch in place.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the switch.
5. Install the new switch.
6. Reattach the electrical connector.
7. Tighten the two bolts that hold the switch in place.

How do I clean or repair the ground connection for the reverse lights?

To clean or repair the ground connection for the reverse lights, you will need to:

1. Locate the ground connection. The ground connection is usually a bolt that is attached to the body of the car.
2. Remove the bolt.
3. Clean the contact area of the bolt with a wire brush.
4. Reattach the bolt.

How do I replace the reverse light bulb?

To replace the reverse light bulb, you will need to:

1. Open the trunk.
2. Locate the reverse light assembly. The reverse light assembly is located on the rear of the car.
3. Remove the two screws that hold the light assembly in place.
4. Remove the light assembly.
5. Remove the old bulb.
6. Install the new bulb.
7. Reattach the light assembly.
8. Tighten the two screws that hold the light assembly in place.