Reverse lights do not work on automatic 280sl...

[abe280SL]

I noticed that both lights do  not go on in the rear when I go reverse. Is there a switch that could be faulty and where is it?
thanks,
abe

[scoot]

I noticed that both lights do  not go on in the rear when I go reverse. Is there a switch that could be faulty and where is it?
thanks,
abe

Check and see if the reverse lights go on in other gear positions (as if the switch and cable needed to be adjusted).  I don't know if the reverse lights are controled by the switch on the firewall that tells the car you are in Park or Neutral and allows you to start the car, or if there is a different reverse switch on the tranmission itself.  If it's the one on the firewall, look for a small box that looks sort of like an auxillary fuse box but a little bigger with a cable going into the bottom and some wires.  The cable moves as you move the autobox linkage and that moves a sliding thing inside the switch to various contact points to let the car know that you are in P or N so you can use the starter.   Reverse might also be part of that, not sure.

[abe280SL]

Well, it was the cable to the box in the firewall.  The car would start reverse and forward...not suppose to do that  Then, I saw the cable came off the steel end piece. I manually moved the lever on the little box and the reverse lights came on.  Now, I will try to fix the cable instead of replacing because it looks like its a PIA to remove the other side attached to the transmission.
thanks
abe

[scoot]

Well, it was the cable to the box in the firewall.  The car would start reverse and forward...not suppose to do that  Then, I saw the cable came off the steel end piece. I manually moved the lever on the little box and the reverse lights came on.  Now, I will try to fix the cable instead of replacing because it looks like its a PIA to remove the other side attached to the transmission.
thanks
abe

Since we are on this topic, how is the linkage itself on the transmission?  Does Park really Park and does "2" really start you in 1st gear?  On my car the linkage was worn so it would never really click into the "2" position.  If you have any slop in the linkage, deal with the bushings on that before dealing with the cable because the cable may be OK. 

[JamesL]

In investigating why my reversing lights are not working I found this thread having checked the fuse etc. A quick test based on Scoot's post and...
My car will start with the auto lever in P, R N or 4!
From which I deduce I have an issue with the transmission linkage to this wee box, although unlike abe280sl, I have a cable coming into the bottom of the box from, I assume, the side of the (auto) transmission. However, there's no obvious means of adjustment
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks

[JamesL]

 

[Benz Dr.]

The ball socket is threaded on to the end of the cable and is adjustable. Turn it in or out until everything lines up and the switch works properly.

[Iconic]

James, I don't get your  , but I can try to help as I have replaced the cable on my car.
The adjustment for the cable is at the box near the center of the firewall pad.
The cable is in a retainer with two nuts. Loosen a nut and rotate them to make the cable shorter or longer.
That is not a very good description, but if you look where the cable is secured at the box, I hope it will be obvious.
You can also disconnect the cable and make sure the functions of the box work by putting the lever in the various positions.
The car should not start when the box thinks the car is not in Park or Neutral.
PLEASE be very careful when trying to start the car in forward or reverse. Hand brake on, wheels chocked, helper with foot on the brake. I hope you get the idea.
And, the reverse lights come on when the switch lever is in the reverse position (you can do this by not starting the car but by having the ignition in the run position).
Does that help???
Mark

[JamesL]

Thank you
I shall have a play over the next days. I am assuming I need to shorten the cable!

The extra smiley was that the post was so old, the thread locked with my post and when I unlocked it i had to post something:

[Iconic]

Thanks James.
I'm sure you will figure it out now.

[JamesL]

Fixed it last night - took me a couple of minutes to realise that my only option was to shorten the cable as the adjuster screw was at it's lowest point - and that if that wasn't the fix, it was beyond my skill-grade!
Two practically inaccessible 15mm nuts (bottom one in particular) later and I shortened away. First change was no longer being able to start the car while in gear and then lo, the reverse lights came on

Thanks

[Iconic]

I knew you could do it !!