Why do your reverse lights constantly stay on on my vauxhall vivaro van?

Answer 1

This is quit common in many makes and models of cars, inside the gearbox you have a reverse light switch that switches on when you engage reverse. this is how it works in most models: inside the gearbox you have links and selectors, the links are connected to cables or shafts that is connected to your cars gear lever, when you select revers the gear-link normally pushes against the reverse switch, turning on the reverse lights, when you disengage reverse gear the link releases the switch to turn off the reverse lights, if the switch has allot of wear and tear on it the switch might not release causing the lights to stay on, or the gearbox might need some oil to lubricate the switch so that it can engage and disengage properly. it normally is very easy to locate this switch, on the gearbox you will see a nut with a connection on it, this connection normally has only 2 wires, to take the switch out for replacement or inspection simply unplug the connection and unscrew the nut "be very carefull when doing this because a thin copper/aluminium washer is used to seal the switch and by handeling it to rough you might damage it beyond use" caution DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR TO THE SPARE SHOP WITH THE SWITCH OUT, rather put another bolt of the same size, length and pitch into the hole to prvent oil spilage and dirt getting into the gearbox.