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

[giantbike66]

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.

 

[Pete G]

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

 

[giantbike66]

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

 

[nem]

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..

 

[tsedge]

Is the shop manual available yet? We got all the full manuals for the MG4, so I would assume we will be able to get them for the MGS5 too.

 

[Pete G]

One way that you could run the reversing light that would not damage anything is as others have said using a relay. This would mean running a power feed from the 12 volt battery back to the light via the relay.'Then if you know anyone who is handy with electronics then get a Light dependent resistor and use it to switch a transistor to turn the relay on.
That way when the cars reversing lights come on it would turn the relay on to run the new reversing light without affecting the cars wiring at all.
A little complicated but would work fine
Pete

 

[giantbike66]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have since done a bit of research and learning the modern car wired with Can-Bus system and need resistors to prevent signals sending to the PCM to cause errors status. Or wired via a relay with reverse signal intercepted which turns on the external lights via a relay. This is totally different to when I modded my car 20 years older back in the days , I will see how I go, may head down to a reputable Auto-electrician to see what they offer and if it is worth it financially. However, I do want to improve the reverse lighting in dark environment. Cheers guys.

 

[blohot]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have since done a bit of research and learning the modern car wired with Can-Bus system and need resistors to prevent signals sending to the PCM to cause errors status. Or wired via a relay with reverse signal intercepted which turns on the external lights via a relay. This is totally different to when I modded my car 20 years older back in the days , I will see how I go, may head down to a reputable Auto-electrician to see what they offer and if it is worth it financially. However, I do want to improve the reverse lighting in dark environment. Cheers guys.

On a totally separate note, does the MGS5 Trophy (is it called something else down under) in Australia come with a panoramic sun roof? I recall seeing some reviews on YT.

 

[giantbike66]

MGS5 Trophy

Yes. The top of the range is called MGS5 EV Essence 62 with panoramic sunroof. But the downside is our top of the range don't come with more powerful motor, and some of us really dread about it. Not sure if we prefer the more powerful motor of 175KW rather than the sunroof options. See if you can view the link below where one local dealer advertise the particular model.

New 2025 MG MGS5 EV Essence 62 #534103 Bankstown MG | Bankstown MG https://share.google/ZsF7bJSwN7bPGPb0L

 

[stevedee]

It seems to me that modern reversing lights are only really used as a warning to others that you are, or intend to, reverse the car.
If you are often in situations where its pitch black, it may be worth wiring a suitable flood light to a simple switch that you operate only when you need to.
This approach also makes it easy to remove when you eventually sell the car.