The 'E' Type Forum

My reversing lights only come on if I push the transmission lever to the left slightly, so I guess that the switch will need some adjustment (or replacement).

However.... I can't find it in the repair manual - can anyone point me in the right direction?

Steve

Sjmmarsh wrote:My reversing lights only come on if I push the transmission lever.... can anyone point me in the right direction?

Sure: Back a bit. Right hand down, straighten up. Back a bit more. Another yard....there you go. Sorted.

What transmission does the car have?

What was that bang?

It has the Borg Warner 3-speed auto box.

Steve

Ah, now I'm only guessing, but the BW transmissions often combine the gearbox inhibitor switch with the reversing light switch. This is certainly so on the smaller BW35 which uses a plunger device with 4 terminals on the left side of the gearbox, 2 terminals for the inhibitor and 2 for the reverse light switch. Adjusting it is a right faff, and I'm not going to describe how to do it here unless it is confirmed, e.g. by Marek, that yours has this type of switch

I have a auto shift lever (albeit from a BW-8 off a S1 4.2) handily available for inspection and description. From the parts catalogue pictures the V12 mechanism looks pretty identical inside to my BW-8. Just had a gander on mine, and the foremost switch on the LHS (C.25463) is the start inhibit, passive in P and N, active in R, D, 2, 1. The rearmost switch on the LHS (C.1083) is the reverse switch, and is depressed on R only, and undepressed on P, N, D, 2, 1

See here for the picture http://www.sngbarratt.com/CatalogueProd ... 74&a=15474

Sounds like the classic Lucas switch (C.1083) just needs a good old clean-out with WD40. I would suspect some corrosion on the contacts. It's simple enough to completely strip these switches to get to the internals. Just be careful bending the tabs on the aluminium housing. Removing shims if fitted may also help.