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MG MGB Technical - MGB 1973 reverse lights

Hi all,

We are rebuilding an 1973 MGB from scratch.
Gearbox and overdrive worked fine before. Now we have reinstalled and rewired it all, the reverse lights are giving us a headache.

This is what happens:
When reverse is selected, the lights stay out. We checked the switch: fine! Reconnected the wiring and tried again. Still no reverse lights. However, when 3rd of 4th gear is selected, the reverse lights go on.

Does anyone have a clue where to look?
Thanks for any suggestion at all!
Jan

Jan,

nearly everything is o.k.

There are two switches at the gearbox, one on top for the OD solenoid that should only work in 3rd and 4th. Seems that the reverse lights of your car have been wired there. There is another switch on the gearbox where excess is easier. This one is mentioned for the reverse lights.

Simply change the wiring and it will be o.k..

If it seems to be too difficult to find acess to the upermost switch, take of the sheet metall cover below the gear lever and you might reach the wires more easy then.

Ralph
Ralph

Ralph is correct, be sure to sort this out before you drive the car. If the overdrive is connected to the reverse light switch it will engage in reverse, very expensive!!
John H

Thanks for your reactions!

We'll let you know if the problem is solved!
Jan

The upper rearmost connections are tough to reach - I just had to do that job myself a few days ago. It can help to support the gearbox under the drain plug with a jack, undo the crossmember to frame bolts at each end, and lower the rear of the gear box down until the rear flange hits the rearmost crossmember (which is welded in) and give you more room to get your fingers high enough up to attach the leads. I have heard of people cutting an access hole in the trans tunnel,but that sounds pretty drastic to me...

Erick
Erick Vesterback

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2007 and 10/05/2007

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