reversing light switch

Mark190 · 17th November 2018, 10:13

This is driving me nuts! I have taken out my old reversing light switch no problem. I am now trying to screw the new one in place but every time it tightens the little tab on the top is facing the wrong way i.e towards the gearbox making it very difficult in future to release the clip so I can pull the lead off. No matter where I start or which way round its facing when I start to screw it in it always stops in the same place, the wrong place! Any ideas before I go insane?

Mark190 · 17th November 2018, 10:42

I have just dug the old switch out and screwed that back in and it goes in and stops in just the right place. Tried it 3 times and every time just right. So I can only think that the screw thread on the new one must be different.

trikey · 17th November 2018, 19:48

Don't worry, just clip it in, if you need to remove it a 3mm Allen key works a treat for lifting the clip

Mark190 · 18th November 2018, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Don't worry, just clip it in, if you need to remove it a 3mm Allen key works a treat for lifting the clip

Good tip there mate, I didn't want to clip it in to be honest. I kept trying it, I screwed it all the way in then nipped it up with the ratchet then pushed the connector in as far as it would go without actually clipping it in place but it just seemed impossible to get your hands or anything in there to release the clip. So I bottled it and put the old one back in. I am not sure it is the switch to be honest because I put the old one back in and, you guessed it, it worked! It seems to work intermittently which is annoying to say the least. Looking at the switch itself it doesn't seem like there is anything to go wrong with that. Must be wiring or a poor connection somewhere.

Mark190 · 18th November 2018, 09:52

It takes longer to jack the car up and remove the front wheel than what it does to change the reversing light switch. I did try a couple of washers but felt they were slightly too thick and may prevent the switch from going in fully home and not connecting properly. Problem is I don't know for sure if its the switch or not, that was just my first option. Works perfect sometimes then just when I think its ok it stops working, no reversing lights or reverse parking sensors.

17th November 2018, 10:13	#1
Mark190 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Tamworth Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	reversing light switch This is driving me nuts! I have taken out my old reversing light switch no problem. I am now trying to screw the new one in place but every time it tightens the little tab on the top is facing the wrong way i.e towards the gearbox making it very difficult in future to release the clip so I can pull the lead off. No matter where I start or which way round its facing when I start to screw it in it always stops in the same place, the wrong place! Any ideas before I go insane?

17th November 2018, 19:48	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,773 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Don't worry, just clip it in, if you need to remove it a 3mm Allen key works a treat for lifting the clip __________________ Lest we forget..

17th November 2018, 10:42	#2
Mark190 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Tamworth Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	I have just dug the old switch out and screwed that back in and it goes in and stops in just the right place. Tried it 3 times and every time just right. So I can only think that the screw thread on the new one must be different.

18th November 2018, 09:52	#5
Mark190 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Tamworth Posts: 210 Thanks: 0 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	It takes longer to jack the car up and remove the front wheel than what it does to change the reversing light switch. I did try a couple of washers but felt they were slightly too thick and may prevent the switch from going in fully home and not connecting properly. Problem is I don't know for sure if its the switch or not, that was just my first option. Works perfect sometimes then just when I think its ok it stops working, no reversing lights or reverse parking sensors.