Reverse Lights (Again)

[JeffT2024User]

I have a C3 Puretech.
Despite string assurances from the dealer that it SHOULD have one reverse light and one Fog lamp,
I have used my eyes and I can plainly see that there are fog lights and reverse lights on both sides of the car.
This makes some sense in terms of manufacturing - they just change the wiring based on country of sale.

However: that means there are two lights at the back that will never turn on, no matter what.
Two redundant bulbs, just sitting there.

Given that the reversing camera is all but useless when it is dark, I would like more light back there.
Surely it is possible to make both reverse lights turn on when in reverse?
Could the wire from the working side be extended to the other side of the car?
Is there a software tweak?

[myglaren]

Have you actually investigated the rear lights?
I had a similar desire with one of my previous cars and discovered that although the reflector was there, as you say, easier to use the same moulding for all countries, there was no bulb holder or wiring.
If you can source a bulb holder it shouldn't be too difficult to wire it in.

[JeffT2024User]

I have taken the cluster off and can confirm that there is both a reflector and a bulb on both sides.
I have an unusable fog lamp on passenger side, and unusable reverse light/bulb on driver side

https://cdn.autodoc.de/thumb?id=1827050 ... v=94077840

[Hell Razor5543]

I think (but I do NOT know) that some counties may require the rear fog light/reverse light to illuminate on specific sides of the vehicle. It is easier (and cheaper) to make one full set of tail lights, and then just disable the 'offending' lights within the vehicle O/S (when it is prepped at the showroom) than to make different sets of taillights (and relevant wiring looms).

My reasoning is due to the fact that, when I had a new Skoda Octavia, only one fog light would work. When I queried this I was told that this was part of the customer prep process, and not a fault. I did not take my enquiries any further.

[myglaren]

I have had cars with reversing lights and rear fog lights on both sides. Te recent Civic was one such, Never checked the current Mazda.

[wheeler]

You may find if you configure the BSI as a LHD vehicle it may swap it around.
I would probably just snip the wire on the other side & run a new wire over to it from the other side.

On a RHD Saxo there was only a O/S foglamp but the N/S lamp unit had a bulb holder but just had a plastic blank bar over it, you could just break this off & fit a bulb & it would work straight away.
The early C5 X7's had bulbs already fitted for the DRL's they just wouldnt work unless activated with Diagbox.

[Paul-R]

I think (but I do NOT know) that some counties may require the rear fog light/reverse light to illuminate on specific sides of the vehicle.

I think this is in the case where only one of each reversing light and foglamp are fitted. The foglamp is required to be on the driver's side (and I do mean driver's side - RH for RHD and LH for LHD) with only space for a single reversing lamp on the opposing side. I was not aware of any countries which regulate a reduction in lighting where a car could have a pair of both fitted. Reductions such as discussed here are surely a manufacturing decision to reduce costs.

[JeffT2024User]

I would probably just snip the wire on the other side & run a new wire over to it from the other side.

That is my hope. I'd be happier to get my local 'guys' to do it for me, though.
Still seems incredibly silly to not allow both reverse lights to work.