Question of the removal of the inner panel on the tailgate.

giantbike66

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Australia
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MGS5
Hi guys. I'm the owner of a MG S5EV base in Australia. Have the car for about 3 weeks now and love it. I assume your car is very similar and particularly a right hand drive car. And your base is huge comparing to an Australia base discussion place. Hopefully you guys can help me solve the below request. Thanks.

This is a questions for those who like to tinkering their cars and hope you guys can give me some suggestions.

I have been thinking of improving the reverse light as the standard tiny left rear light, just isn't bright enough to illuminate where we are reversing to, particularly bad with my aging eyes 🙂

I have got a pretty neat looking LED reverse purpose built light which fits the bill. And I will mount it just below the number plate. Perfect I thought.

However, today trying to remove the back panel behind the tail gate for splicing to the existing reverse circuit and it came to a halt. I have managed to crack open the about 6 retaining clips around the lower parameters plus a hidden screw near the tailgate closing switch. However, there are about 2 to 3 retaining clips each side, deep into the high-up part near the glass panel. I hesitate to force it without breaking the retaining plastic part or worse, the panel itself.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 

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I am not sure about your plan. I don't know much about modern car electrics but from what I know the modern electrics are not like the old stuff. They are microprocessor controlled with minimal wiring, so it is not possible to just splice into the loom anymore.
I suggest checking with an auto electrician before cutting any wires as you could end up in a world of trouble.
Pete
 
the modern electrics are not like the old stuff
True. Thanks for the reminder. I was thinking if I can get to the loom/connector and hopefully, get some measurements when reverse engaged, to see if it's just simple voltage across the terminals first. My main task is get to this first 🙂
 
You need to be carefull with this as you can damage the electronics controlling the lights if it's driving the lights...
A safer approach would be to use a relay driven solution, and the power to the original lights as trigger for the relay.. But then again this might be how the lights are controlled originally.

Wonder if someone has a shop manual for the car with wiring diagrams..
 
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