13 replies to this topic

[ADRay]

Hi all, I’m trying to install my reverse lamp switch on my rod change shifter per instructions found on this forum.

The problem I’m having is that when I screw in the new switch, it never gets to a point where it stops threading in until it bottoms out. I have the car in reverse, and I can screw the switch all the way in and it doesn’t turn the lights on. I’ve tested the switch and wiring outside of the shifter case and all is functional.

Any ideas?

[Lplus]

Hi all, I’m trying to install my reverse lamp switch on my rod change shifter per instructions found on this forum.

The problem I’m having is that when I screw in the new switch, it never gets to a point where it stops threading in until it bottoms out. I have the car in reverse, and I can screw the switch all the way in and it doesn’t turn the lights on. I’ve tested the switch and wiring outside of the shifter case and all is functional.

Any ideas?

The switch should not bottom out with the lever in reverse, it should make a connection before that or it is likely to get damaged during engagement.  Which hole are you trying to use for the switch?

[mini-mad-mark]

You do have a lock nut with the switch? Its a very thin 3/8 UNC nut (Minispares 22A1613) but you can make one by shaving down a standard 3/8 UNC?

 

The switch only needs to be screwed in part way until it makes a contact with reverse gear selected

 

i.e. select reverse gear, screw the switch in just until the reverse lights come on (or you get a signal using your multimeter (doing it on the bench) and lock it with the lock nut

 

Sorry can't find/link you to a picture/diagram which would show you how it looks when fitted

[Chris1275gt]

Looking up at it from the engine side.

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Edited by Chris1275gt, 08 September 2024 - 10:05 PM.

[Spider]

This is an odd one on me.

About all that springs to mind is the coupling to the gearbox is odd or one of the rods on the shifter are the wrong length.

Just check the Eye has the lugs on it that hit the switch.

[Lplus]

Looking up at it from the engine side.

That isn't the hole mine use.  Both mine have a hole on the other side, though since you've got a rod change in a remote change tunnel it may not be available due to clearances.

[Spider]

 

Looking up at it from the engine side.

That isn't the hole mine use.  Both mine have a hole on the other side, though since you've got a rod change in a remote change tunnel it may not be available due to clearances.

 

 

That's the Aussie set up, a pic of mine I posted here a while back. The UK cars went to the other side in the early 80's if I recall.

[Chris1275gt]

Looking up at it from the engine side.

That isn't the hole mine use.  Both mine have a hole on the other side, though since you've got a rod change in a remote change tunnel it may not be available due to clearances.

 
That's the Aussie set up, a pic of mine I posted here a while back. The UK cars went to the other side in the early 80's if I recall.

Copyright theft Spider. Someone mentioned a picture of a rod change box and I thought that looks a nice clear clean one. I’ll hopefully not see you in court!

[Ethel]

I think either location should work , not aware of any changes to the yoke that operates it.

 

Have you driven it? The only cause I can think of is the yoke being upside down, which could happen if the rod has been disconnected  from the gearbox.

[ADRay]

Thanks all for the responses. The car is a 1982 LHD from Germany. The replacement switch is in the hole the old one came out of.

“Have you driven it? The only cause I can think of is the yoke being upside down, which could happen if the rod has been disconnected from the gearbox.”

I think you might be onto something… I did disconnect it during the ongoing refurbishment. I didn’t know to pay attention to the yoke. I did not open up or fiddle with anything inside the case. And now that I think of it, it shifts worse than I remember and have been focusing on the clutch cylinders and related components as the problem.

Is the fix as easy as disconnecting the yoke and spinning it?

[Ethel]

Alas no, if the yoke was upside down the gearstick would be turning the selector rod in the opposite direction 3rd & 4th would be to the left of 1st & 2nd. It could still be something related though, so worth whipping the cover plate off the bottom for a look.

[ADRay]

Alas no, if the yoke was upside down the gearstick would be turning the selector rod in the opposite direction 3rd & 4th would be to the left of 1st & 2nd. It could still be something related though, so worth whipping the cover plate off the bottom for a look.

thanks. I think it’s at that point

[Rubbershorts]

Is that switch the same length as the old one you took out?

[ADRay]

had time to prop it up and look from the bottom. Turns out I had reinstalled the rod and lever receiver upside down, thus it wasn’t striking the reverse switch.

Got it all sorted out. Switch works now, and it shifts a lot more like it should.

Thanks for everyone’s input.