how difficult is it to replace the reversing light switch..

[tdafforn]

like it says in title..
how difficult is it to replace the reversing light switch with the engine and gearbox in situ?
tim

[carrierdave]

Unless you have very small hands its almost impossible. Apart from the cylinder head the next main obstacle are the heater pipes.

Its not absolutely impossible its just like most of the things on a Lotus ? Difficult.

Getting it out was not too much of an issue ? getting it back in was far more difficult as you can not see if you have it upright in order to mesh with the screw thread.

A word of advise ? extend the cables on the switch so that you can then run a cable from inside the car to pull them back through ? if you leave them too short you will have a problem connecting them back up.

Good luck

Dave

[ppnelan]

If it's a Lotus 5-speed, the reversing light switch fits in the rear of the gearbox underneath, next & very close to the gearbox mounting.

Matthew

[tdafforn]

looks like it isn't going to be a problem for now as the car failed the MOT on headlamps, wipers and a blowing manifold. No mention of reversing lights..
tim

[mikealdren]

Matthew,

I wouldn't expect reversing lights to be an MOT issue on a car of this age, most cars in the 1960s didn't have reversing lights fitted.

regards
Mike

[john.p.clegg]

Yes,but unfortunately if they are fitted they have to work.....

John

[tdafforn]

Hi John,
I am guessing they thought that they weren't fitted as no lights cam on when they selected reverse, whatever I am not complaining, and come to think of it, I am not sure I ever checked them before, so perhaps they have never worked!
Tim

[lotusanglia1965]

Reversing lights aren't a testable item,fitted or not!

good luck with the other jobs

[memini55]

Tim if your lights have never worked I would certainly bypass the switch from inside the car on the harness to make sure they work at all before attempting the switch change. Another thought could be it is not adjusted correctly and does not get engaged when set to reverse.
I have removed and adjusted will in the car and did this from below with the help of swivel mirror and light, not at all easy but can be done. I forgot to install with a rebuild this summer and had to install and fish the wires inside. I used a piece of tie wire and pushed it out from inside and taped the wires to it and pulled them thru.
Good Luck

[carrierdave]

Hi Tim,
When I first got my car the PO had disconnected the rear heated screen and then used the heater switch as his manual reversing light switch. Since then I have adjusted the switch and reconnected every thing.

Dave

[tdafforn]

my annoyance at the reversing lights failing is that I have become a DPO!
I have removed, rebuilt and replaced the engine this year, and I bet that I bashed the switch during the removal/replacement process, Doh!
tim