Thread: Reverse Switch

The reverse switch on my S2a is a toggle switch on the centre dash. There is no switch on the gearbox itself. I think the S3 is the same gearbox (other than having synchro rings on 3rd and 4th gears as well as 1st and 2nd) so assume it to be the same wrt reverse switch. If the S3 is supposed to have a reverse switch from the gearbox, the only places I could imagine it being fitted is on the end of the shift fork shaft where the travel limit is set (small square section on the rear top of the gearbox) or at the bottom of the shift lever where the sprung latch lifts when you select reverse.
Happy hunting.
Cheers
John B

Lionel

The reverse switch acts directly on the reverse selector shaft and is fitted through the bracket that supports the gearstick. To find it you need to take the tunnel cover off (which you have). There should be a threaded hole on the front vertical face of the gearstick mounting bracket on the drivers side. If it's not there you will find that someone has probably fitted a SIIa gearstick.

It is a spring loaded normally closed push button which is kept depressed by the reverse selector in the disengaged position, when the reverse selector is engaged the button releases and the circuit is closed turning on the reverse lamps. If the switch is broken you will find your reverse lights stay on with ignition.

Diana

Addit: The Rover P4 cars like the Rover 90 had essentially the same gearbox, they had a far more complicated mechanism, that included a bracket off the side of the selector cover and a second right angle bracket bolted on with the reverse selector gate spring assembly. This used a normally open spring loaded switch. The SIII system is much more simple and a superior design.

See also page 1K-09 in the Series III Optional Parts Catalogue.

IIRC the very early 1972 SIII didn't have the reversing lamps. This may be the reason for the absence of the lamps on your diesel.

Fitting them up however is more fiddley than difficult.

Here is the switch with one wire on
Cheers WillP1010596.jpg

Originally Posted by will d8r

Here is the switch with one wire on
Cheers WillP1010596.jpg

G'day Will,

Thank you very much for your very helpful photograph of where the reverse switch is located. I am pretty sure from that photo that the original owner must not have shelled out the extra money for the "optional extra" of having reverse lights fitted.

Before getting the photo I thought that because the switch had two terminals it might have a earth wire associated with it. So I was looking for two wires coming out from the top of the gearbox. But it had only one - hey.

Thanks again - I will go and have another look since I now know exactly where I am aiming for now. Thank you Diana too for your earlier description.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by will d8r

Here is the switch with one wire on
Cheers WillP1010596.jpg

That's interesting, I have seen them at the other end!

I wonder if it was an after-market mod???

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

That's interesting, I have seen them at the other end!

I wonder if it was an after-market mod???

Hello Lotz-A-Landies & Willd8R,

I suppose there is always an exception to the rule. So by what you wrote Lotza according to the attached diagram do you think the switch should normally be located at position 1 or 2 ?

Just before I read the posts about the reverse switch's possible location I had put the tunnel back together again. At least now I have a much better idea of where to look for it


Kind Regards
Lionel