Reverse lights won't work...

[chadsell]

I did a search and couldn't find any info on this, so I figured I'd ask the forum:

I've just purchased an '84 Rabbit L Diesel, converted to run veggie oil. I need to get it ready to pass the safety inspection. Trouble is, the reverse lights aren't turning on.
The bulbs are good, I've checked. I'm thinking it's some sort of problem with the switch. I have no idea where that is or how to check it, though. I know that the previous owner recently changed the shifter bushings. Could something have happened when he did that?

Thanks all, any and all help is much appreciated!

--chad

[twig]

with an A2 golf I had, I had to find just the right spot on the shifter for the lights to turn on. I had to push lightly forward on the shifter (it was an auto) and then it worked fine.

the easiest way is to park infront of a big window or mirror and wiggle the shifter around

[chadsell]

Mine's a manual shifter, so I don't know if that makes it any different. I'll have to do a little exploring to see if there's somewhere with a mirror or window that I can back up to... Otherwise I've gotta wait for my girlfriend to get home and ask her watch the lights while I try the shifter...

[Mr_Diesel]

If you look at the engine, the tranny will be on the right side. On the older rabbits there is a large rectangular shaped wire harness on top of the transmission almost all the way over to the right. I believe it's 3 wires? If you don't have the large rectangular harness, it should still be in the same location. Directly on top of the tranny toward the right.

Make sure you start your engine on diesel fuel and let the engine idle on diesel fuel before you shut it off or you will coke up your injectors and pump. I don't know what system you have in your car, but this is mandatory.

Also, make sure you keep track of the gallons of veggie you use. You need to pay the local govt (contact county building) about 29 cents per gallon for road taxes. You risk 1,000 dollar fine from the state and a 1,000 dollar fine from the federal govt if you get caught running veggie without paying road taxes.

[twig]

wow. as far as i know our canadian govt likes us to save the environment

[chadsell]

Ah, the wonder of the US gov't...

::contemplates moving to Canada...::

Thanks for the help on finding the wiring, Mr. Diesel. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the primitive tools I have, so I guess I'll bring it to a shop anyway. I feel like this is something I should be able to fix, but lacking tools and time, I think I'm just as willing to pay for the job. At least on this one.

So yeah, my system is pretty basic, manual switches to switch fuel sources and to re-direct the re-cycled veggie from the engine so it doesn't end up in the diesel tank. I'm always careful to warm up well before switching to veggie and to run the last couple of minutes before my destination on diesel.

As for reporting the gallons that I use and all, I'm looking into that. Since the EPA doesn't officially recognize WVO as a fuel, there is a lot of talk, at least in my neck of the woods, as to whether they can enforce a tax on it. I know that the guy I bought it from never paid road tax for the grease he burned, but I also don't want to be someone who the gov't tries to "make and example of..."

[Mr_Diesel]

Ah, the wonder of the US gov't...

::contemplates moving to Canada...::

Thanks for the help on finding the wiring, Mr. Diesel. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the primitive tools I have, so I guess I'll bring it to a shop anyway. I feel like this is something I should be able to fix, but lacking tools and time, I think I'm just as willing to pay for the job. At least on this one.

So yeah, my system is pretty basic, manual switches to switch fuel sources and to re-direct the re-cycled veggie from the engine so it doesn't end up in the diesel tank. I'm always careful to warm up well before switching to veggie and to run the last couple of minutes before my destination on diesel.

As for reporting the gallons that I use and all, I'm looking into that. Since the EPA doesn't officially recognize WVO as a fuel, there is a lot of talk, at least in my neck of the woods, as to whether they can enforce a tax on it. I know that the guy I bought it from never paid road tax for the grease he burned, but I also don't want to be someone who the gov't tries to "make and example of..."

Any fuel used to power a vehicle to be used on a public road or highway must be taxed... that's how the roads get paid for... In USA and Canada and everywhere else that has roads. It's not a big deal in the USA right now because there are hardly any vehicles that actually run it as their primary fuel... as more and more people start to use it the govt will begin to enforce still fines and penalties for not paying the taxes.