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Reverse light switch
Bungawatta - February 2nd, 2005 at 09:25 AM

Hi.

Where is reverse light switch located if there is one in a kombi?

My bus doesn't seem to have one and backing up at night is pretty scarey.

Thanks.


mnsKmobi - February 2nd, 2005 at 09:44 AM

The reverse light switch is on the left hand side of the gear box, near the bottom. If this is ok (wires connected and makes a circuit when in reverse), check the inline fuse that you'll find lying around in the engine bay. My reverse lights weren't working and it turned out to be that the fuse contacts and those in the fuse holder were corroded. A few minutes with the emery paper and we were back in business!


Bizarre - February 2nd, 2005 at 11:18 AM

If it is an auto it will be the stoopid switch on the gear lever.

Well - it is on my T2.5 auto - pretty sure the bays are the same.


Bungawatta - February 2nd, 2005 at 11:29 AM

Thanks, mnsKmobi and blue74l.

My bus is manual and doesn't have s reverse light or switch.
The idea of a "stoopid switch" sounds like a solution to me. (LOL)

So I think I'll get into installing one and putting on some LED light myself.

Arigatoooo.


mnsKmobi - February 2nd, 2005 at 12:32 PM

I see from your avatar that you have an early bay, whereas mine is a late bay. However, I thought that all the bay gearboxes had reverse switches. :o

PS. I should have added to my description that the switch is at the front of the gearbox (the nose cone) ie the end where the shaft from the gear lever joins.


Bungawatta - February 2nd, 2005 at 02:46 PM

Thanks, again, mnsKmobi.

I will have a closer look one more time and see if it's there or not. (^^)/


Old Dubber - February 2nd, 2005 at 05:41 PM

Early Bays - those with a 1600 gearbox - do not have the reverse light switch


Bungawatta - February 2nd, 2005 at 06:20 PM

Oh, is that so? Australian model, eh?

Wiring diagram in US manuals had one in for 71 model. That was why I looked in vain. Just like Australian made Kombi's didn't come with 1/4 opening vent windows in the front doors, I gather.

Thanks, Grahame. :)

So if I want one, either get a later model transmission, or put a switch and light myself. Anybody has put a hand-made one?


Old Dubber - February 2nd, 2005 at 08:03 PM

Correct!

However, I have looked at the later model boxes and I believe it would be possible to install the switch in the early ones.
Come and have a chat sometime and I can show you.


Bungawatta - February 2nd, 2005 at 08:11 PM

Thanks, Grahame. I'll be seeing you soon. :)


Lams - February 5th, 2005 at 01:25 AM

Hi Bungawatta,

I found a "home made" reverse switch in my bug - would you like to see?

I'm going to wire it up soon, but first I need to get myself a reverse light. Was thinking of going to a trucks accessories shop to get some big reverse LED lights

[Edited on 4-2-2005 by Lams]


Bungawatta - February 5th, 2005 at 02:03 AM

Oh, sweet, Lams. (^^)

Yeah, I would love to have a look. Will send you a U2U.


kombipom - March 11th, 2005 at 12:40 AM

I just looked on JustKampers.co.uk and they have a switch for sale...

"J10512 Reverse light switch on gearbox fits 68>79 5.95"

That's 6 quid (~$15) but someone here may sell the same thing.

I think pre '73 kombis in the UK had a 1600 engine too (unlike the US) so it should fit. Others posters will know more on this than me I'm sure.

Hope thats of some use.

Steve


marty_08 - March 12th, 2005 at 03:16 PM

Is there a reverse light switch in Type 1 gearboxes???? Got a 1300 box (i think) and i'm currently using an earthed plate on the shift rod linkage, but it bends out of the way regularly. Works for pink-slip though so that's good i guess.
I'm about to take the box out at the moment and thought i should rig up something better whilst i've got the chance.
There is a plug at the front of the box, what does this do??????


akean1 - March 12th, 2005 at 03:52 PM

if this is the plug you are looking at.


akean1 - March 12th, 2005 at 03:55 PM

you can replace it with a switch, one wire runs to the + on coil (make sure you put an inline fuse 8amp between the coil and switch) the other wire runs to your reverse light


oval TOFU - March 12th, 2005 at 04:34 PM

or perhaps, get one of those switches that mounts behind your speedo (I think it replaces the bush that holds the speedo cable). It senses that the cable spins backwards and turns on the reversing light... It's just not too easy to find one of these though


marty_08 - March 19th, 2005 at 12:20 PM

Akean1, thanks for the photo's!!!

Just got all the bits and pieces to do it!!!

Marty


oval TOFU - March 27th, 2005 at 05:02 PM

Where did you get em from?
=)


marty_08 - March 28th, 2005 at 02:26 PM

Good old George at Classic Vee Dub in Sydney.

2 prong switch was $10 and had the spare wires in the garage.

Just ran the wire from the old plate i used to have to one side of the switch, then the other side i earthed!!!! And there u go everyone knows when i'm about to reverse into/over them!!!!

Marty


oval TOFU - March 29th, 2005 at 09:31 AM

wicked! I'll follow that up

thanks marty