Thread: Xyz switch, just confirming before I commit

I'm with Slunnie. Seriously doubt it's the XYZ, as it appears to be functioning normally, starting when it's meant to and showing the correct info in the display. Could simply be a poor earth at the tail light cluster or something. The metal tracers in the tail lights can corrode as well. I'd chase that sort of thing down as all it costs is time, whereas the XYZ is, as you know, not cheap.

Contrary to the other posters here I suspect you are on the correct thought as I’ve experienced this myself.
The full power to the reverse lights goes through the XYZ switch. I believe this is part of the reason why you get issues (similair happens with the headlights power through the headlight switch on Land Rovers causing switch failure). If you put a relay in to turn the XYZ from the power source to just the trigger, reducing the load, it becomes much more reliable and long lasting.
You should be able to open your XYZ up, clean it up thoroughly, grease and reassemble.
It’s possible that I documented this previously in an older thread on here that you can find.

Originally Posted by twr7cx;[URL="tel:3131189"

3131189[/URL]]Contrary to the other posters here I suspect you are on the correct thought as I’ve experienced this myself.
The full power to the reverse lights goes through the XYZ switch. I believe this is part of the reason why you get issues (similair happens with the headlights power through the headlight switch on Land Rovers causing switch failure). If you put a relay in to turn the XYZ from the power source to just the trigger, reducing the load, it becomes much more reliable and long lasting.
You should be able to open your XYZ up, clean it up thoroughly, grease and reassemble.
It’s possible that I documented this previously in an older thread on here that you can find.

That’s interesting. I wasn’t aware the XYZ carried the full load of the reverse lights etc. Whether it’s the cause of the switch failure or not it’s worth installing a relay.

I thought i remembered reading it here sometime ago...thx twr7cx

03 D2a TD5 automatic transmission - intermittent reverse lights

Originally Posted by thai_tiger

I thought i remembered reading it here sometime ago...thx twr7cx

03 D2a TD5 automatic transmission - intermittent reverse lights

I guess that could explain why the car starts and the display works but the reverse lights don't.

I've replaced my reversing lights with LED worklights, reducing the current draw significantly.

So if the XYZ switch is the culprit and isn't supplying enough current through weak connection, then another possible 'temporary' solution could be to try a pair of LEDs.

Like V8Ian .. I've found that most LEDs use about 1/3rd the current of most incandescent bulbs .. usually the higher the power draw, the smaller the percentage that the equivalent LED will use.

As the reverse lights are 21w, total 42w, ie. about 4amp .. I'd say if you try a pair of LEDs and they rate at something like 1 amp total .. could be similar to using the relay/triggering method.

Ideally you'd want to sort the XYZ switch properly .. but maybe a pair of LEDs could buy the OP a bit more time to sort it, and ultimately lower the load through the XYZ switch in future without resorting to using a relay.

I've got LEDs in my D1 and D2 .. so much brighter too.

20200318_155639.jpg
The original reversing lights now serve no purpose. I've considered fitting them with amber LED globes and wiring them as blinkers.