Reverse Lamp Switch

[jetad]

Hi all!

I have a 92 Rover Mini Spi Automatic and the reverse lamps don't work. Fuses are okay and wiring is good too (tested by connecting directly to battery) so I suspect it may be the reverse lamp switch. Question is, where do I find this switch on my car?

Thanks in advance.

[shoutforjoy]

Hi,

On the early models (without the 'P' park setting) the reversing light switch is part of the starter inhibitor switch connected at the back of the selector lever housing. I had a 1990 that was this way.

On later models (with the 'P' setting - and I think this will be yours) the reversing light switch is in the same place at the back of the selector lever housing but does not incorporate the inhibitor switch.

fyi: I had to check with the Haynes manual as I've only ever owned older ones.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[jetad]

Thank you very much for the info Paul! I will check it over the weekend.

I looked over other internet sites and I think you are right. I also have the Haynes Manual but I seem to be missing Chapters 6, 7 and 8. It may have been covered there.

Jet

[shoutforjoy]

It's in section 7B - Automatic Transmission

And I thought things like that only happened to me.

[jetad]

Aug 5, 2010 17:14:41 GMT shoutforjoy said:

It's in section 7B - Automatic Transmission

And I thought things like that only happened to me.

Unfortunately I don't have the hard copy of the Haynes manual. It's difficult to get the hard copy where I am at (Philippines) and even harder to get parts. I have to order online and wait for about 3 weeks for them to get to me.

Anyway, I checked my car this morning and there wasn't any kind of "switch" near or behind the gearshift lever. I am thinking it may be "under" the car or near the transmission. Will check again this weekend. Thanks again Paul!

[shoutforjoy]

I think you'll find it is under the car where the gear selector passes through the floor.

I also sent you a private message to see if I can help further.

Paul

[jetad]

Hi Paul I was able to fix it this afternoon! The switch is under the car you're right; just under the gear shifter.

What I did was removed and cleaned it and made sure it works through the use of an electrical multi-tester. t is a sort of pin switch and what it does is emulate or mimic the position of the gear shift lever. Pull it out too much and there's no contact on the 2 poles (or P position on the lever), push it slightly and there is contact between them (the "R" or Reverse position) then push it all the way in and again no contact (the "D" position).

To adjust you will need a multi-tester to see when the current or contact at the switch occurs. This is a bit tricky. Put the gear in "R" and tighten or untighten the switch as necessary until the tester shows a current. Turn in small increments until you find the position which has the best connection (I set my tester to 'ohms"). Then lock the switch in place with the hex nut. Re-install the wires and double check that the reverse lamps work in "R".

By the way, this is assuming that all fuses and bulbs work and you've already isolated the problem to the switch.

Paul - I can't find a way to retrieve the PM. Can you email me please? Thanks again!

[shoutforjoy]

Hi Jet,

Well done, it's great that you fixed it - electrical switches can be tricky at the best of times.

I'm sure that your detailed description of the fix will prove useful to others too.

Enjoy your mini

[lrostoke]

Just a slight hijack of this thread, oh and a quick hello I'm new here


We've just brought a 1970 , 998 automatic (brother in laws)
No reverse light as standard, looked at the inhibitor switch and its only a 2 terminal one, can we swap this for a 4 terminal dual function switch so we can wire a reverse light in or do we need a seperate switch ??

cheers

[asahartz]

On a 1970 car you should be able to fit a dual function switch I think - my Elf (67 but 69 reg) has a reverse light fitted and I'm sure it's a 4-terminal switch (been a while since I looked closely and the car's right down the garden and it's peeing it down!)

Do I recall that the switch on these early ones is on the bottom of the selector lever?

[shoutforjoy]

You're right the switch is under the car on the gear selector lever.

I'm sure that you can only get 4-terminal switches now (they're listed as being for all autos 1966-1992) so I would assume that they must fit all minis, even those without reversing lights.

In your position I would fit a 4-terminal switch and mock-up a reverse light using a few bits of wire and bulb to test it out before putting all of the wiring in place.

hth

Paul

[mini500auto]

If your car is not fitted with the reverse light as standard then you will have only a two pole switch on the back of the gear selector (inside the car) which is used as an inhibitor switch.
I fitted and after market reversing light to the boot lid and have the 4 pole switch which is needed to use as reverse light switch as I bought two of them and only used one.

[madaboutcherry]

i would like to fit a reverse light to my 68 mk11, it,s fiited with a 4 connector switch. do you think it could cope with a 55w boot mounted spot. i know it's illegal but i'll worry about that.