One for the Gearbox Experts.

[JC]

Went to cure my lack of reversing lights and seems I dont have a standard g/box fitted.

Found the plug for the reverse lights disconnected, and WHY it was disconnected

The sensor on my g/box is a lot bigger than the plug, still oblong, but has 4 pins, 3 in a line front to back and then on inside it .

the whole sensor and gubbins is bolted onto the g/box by 2 bolts

Will try and get piccies tomorrow, but has anyone got any ideas, what the fook I have fitted.

Thanks in advance

[Mew]

Does it look like the connector would be something like this:



I know the pic is crap but i'm not going outside in the dark and cold! 


Anyway, if it is then it may be an early gearbox with the sensor for the economy shift light.

[...joe]

you need to get the correct switch for your car then! GSF tried to sell me one with a different plug to what was on my car so i made them get various types for an 020 box until i found the right one for my plug.

[jammac]

i have a smiliar prob..... i bought another gearbox on ebay as mine was crunching. it has that long type female plug on it. my car however has a small round type of reverse light plug which slots into an entirely differant location. i swopped the old plug in the location on the new box and my reverse lights still dont work!  :embarassed:

i just figured it was an old spec box (87) with my newer (j 91) mk2 so i will live without reverse lights as i now have no crunching between 2nd gear changes!

you dont need reverse lights for MOT so 

[Horney]

Yes you do need reverse lights for an MOT if fitted. It's possibel to bodge it however. Just find the pins that act as the switch when reverse is engaged and use some small crimp connectors to wire in the original lead.

Nick

[rubjonny]

sounds like you have an earlier gearbox fitted to your car, unfortunaly the early and late sensors are not swappable as the location they screw into is totally different!  All is not lost however, check out brokes site: http://www.brokevw.com

Click 'Reverse Switch Wiring' this will show you how to wire up an old skool reverse switch to the 2 wires you have

Edit: And NO reverse lights are NOT a terstible item, even if they are fitted.  Have a look here, if you can find a bit that mentions the reverse lights I'll eat my hat
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/mc_contents.htm

The only reason reverse lights were fitted is so you can see behind you at night when reversing!  They also happen to help other motorists see that you're reversing too

[JC]

Cheers Chap. top info and site links,  Coffee's on me when we meet.

Also, will the older gearbox have any adverse effect ?

[jammac]

KOOL cheers jonny! 

ill have a bash at fixing my reverse light at the weekend! even though i dont really need to! HAHA

[rubjonny]

only adverse effects from an old gearbox would be:
1) its f**ked
2) gear ratios are pants
3) reverse light switch is wrong type for your wiring loom

[R98 HUF]

a comment earlier about reversing lights not being part of the mot.....
somene said they are...

I didnt think they were when mine was done recently i noticed they werent working 30mins before the MOT!! I fixed them only to be told i didnt need them but i did need the fog which also wasnt working.....so the bloody car failed on that only!!!!