1991 Volkswagen Golf Reverse Light Not Working [Fixed]

There’s nothing more frustrating than when your car’s reverse lights don’t work. It can be a real pain, especially when you’re trying to back out of a parking spot or pull into a driveway. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also be embarrassing. If you’re a Volkswagen Golf owner, you’re not alone. This is a common problem with these cars. But don’t worry, there’s a simple fix. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps on how to troubleshoot and fix the reverse lights on your 1991 Volkswagen Golf.

Why 1991 Volkswagen Golf 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, simply remove the bulb from the housing and look for a filament that is broken or missing. If the filament is intact, then the bulb is not the problem.

Faulty wiring

Another common cause of a reverse light not working is a faulty wiring connection. To check for this, you will need to follow the wiring harness from the bulb back to the fuse box. Inspect all of the connections for damage or corrosion. If you find any damaged or corroded connections, they will need to be repaired or replaced.

Faulty switch

The reverse light switch is a small switch located on the transmission. When you shift the transmission into reverse, the switch closes and sends a signal to the light bulb. If the switch is faulty, it will not send the signal to the bulb and the light will not come on.

Faulty fuse

The reverse light fuse is located in the fuse box. If the fuse is blown, it will prevent power from reaching the light bulb and the light will not come on. To check the fuse, you will need to remove it from the fuse box and inspect it for damage. If the fuse is blown, it will need to be replaced.

How to Troubleshoot: 1991 Volkswagen Golf Reverse Light Not Working

Symptoms

The reverse lights do not come on when you shift the transmission into reverse.
The reverse lights come on when you turn on the headlights.
The reverse lights come on when you apply the brakes.
The reverse lights are dim or flickering.

Causes

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

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

Diagnosis

To diagnose the problem with your 1991 Volkswagen Golf reverse light, you will need to:

1. Check the fuse.
2. Check the reverse light switch.
3. Check the reverse light bulb.
4. Check the wiring harness.
5. Check the reverse light switch.

Repair

Once you have diagnosed the problem with your 1991 Volkswagen Golf reverse light, you can repair it by:

1. Replacing the blown fuse.
2. Replacing the faulty reverse light switch.
3. Replacing the faulty reverse light bulb.
4. Repairing the faulty wiring harness.
5. Replacing the faulty reverse light switch.

Prevention

To prevent your 1991 Volkswagen Golf reverse light from malfunctioning, you can:

Avoid driving through deep water.
Avoid driving over sharp objects.
Inspect the reverse light wiring harness regularly for damage.
Replace the reverse light bulb when it is dim or flickering.

Conclusion

If your 1991 Volkswagen Golf reverse light is not working, you can troubleshoot and repair the problem yourself by following the steps in this article. If you are not comfortable working on your car, you can take it to a qualified mechanic for repairs.

FAQs: 1991 Volkswagen Golf Reverse Light Not Working

Why is my 1991 Volkswagen Golf reverse light not working?

There are a few possible reasons why your 1991 Volkswagen Golf 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, it will need to be replaced.

A faulty switch: The reverse light switch is located in the gear shifter. If the switch is faulty, it will need to be replaced.

A bad ground: The reverse lights need a good ground in order to work properly. If the ground is loose or corroded, it can cause the lights to stop working.

A faulty bulb: The reverse lights are made up of two bulbs, one on each side of the car. If one of the bulbs is burnt out, it will cause the entire light to stop working.

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. Use a fuse puller or your fingers to remove the fuse.
4. Check the fuse for a blown filament. If the filament is broken, the fuse is blown and will need to be replaced.
5. Replace the fuse in the fuse box.

How do I replace the reverse light switch?

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

1. Remove the gear shifter knob. The gear shifter knob is held in place by a retaining clip. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the retaining clip up and remove the knob.
2. Remove the shift boot. The shift boot is held in place by a series of clips. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the clips up and remove the boot.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness from the reverse light switch. The wiring harness is connected to the reverse light switch with a quick-connect connector. Press down on the tab on the connector and pull it apart to disconnect the harness.
4. Remove the reverse light switch. The reverse light switch is held in place by two screws. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws and remove the switch.
5. Install the new reverse light switch. Reverse the steps above to install the new reverse light switch.

How do I check for a bad ground?

To check for a bad ground, you will need to:

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. This will prevent any sparks from occurring.
2. Locate the ground wire for the reverse lights. The ground wire is usually a black wire with a white stripe.
3. Use a voltmeter to check the voltage between the ground wire and the chassis of the car. The voltage should be 0 volts.
4. If the voltage is not 0 volts, there is a bad ground. To fix the bad ground, you will need to clean the ground connection or replace the ground wire.

How do I replace a reverse light bulb?

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

1. Open the trunk of the car.
2. Locate the reverse light housing. The reverse light housing is located on the rear of the car, near the bumper.
3. Remove the reverse light housing. The reverse light housing is held in place by a series of clips. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the clips up and remove the housing.
4. Remove the old bulb. The old bulb is held in place by a retaining clip. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the retaining clip up and remove the bulb.
5. Install the new bulb. Reverse the steps above to install the new bulb.