electrical question - reversing lights

sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 4:21 pm

#767272

This sounds like a dumb question, but I can't work this out. I 've looked at wiring diagrams, but I can't see what I am looking for.

My question is, how do the reverse lamps know when to come on. Is there some sort of elecrtical connection to the gearbox to send a signal to the reverse lamps.

How does this work??

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 12 Mar 2010, 4:34 pm

#767276

There is a reversing light sensor that goes on to your gearbox and you plug in to that sensor which then activates the lights.

Yogie

sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 4:41 pm

#767278

Where do I find this sensor on my gear box?

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 12 Mar 2010, 4:46 pm

#767280

The switch/sensor is in the nose cone, up the front near where the gearshift goes in.... slightly below and to the RHS side of the car from memory.

Not all gearboxes had 'em tho... I think maybe only '70 or '71 onwards ???

Some boxes just have a socket headed plug installed in the hole... while earlier boxes I don't think have the hole at all.

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sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 5:05 pm

#767287

Mine is a 68 swinger., below is a photo of the right hand side of the nose cone. Am I looking in the right direction, can somebody point it out in the photo. Thanks

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Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 12 Mar 2010, 5:11 pm

#767289

you can see the bung for the reverse light switch in the lower right of the pic

pull that bung out and stick a switch in there
stock setup picks up power off the coil

sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 5:22 pm

#767291

do you mean the black circle on the edge of the photo?

sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 5:25 pm

#767293

Sorry that's the left hand side. Is it just above the fork and the it faces towards the front of the car?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 12 Mar 2010, 6:00 pm

#767299

right here 😉

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sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Mar 2010, 10:18 pm

#767349

Thanks Joel, you're a champ.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2010, 10:32 pm

#767352

Hi

Also the wiring works like this, the power comes from the + on the ignition coil via a inline fuse, the power then runs to the switch, when the switch is activated it sends power to the reverse light bulbs.

You could even simplify this by just having the one side of the switch going to earth and then earthing the bulbs when the switch activates, but the bulbs would then need a power feed from the ignition.

Steve