Reverse light switch

[maluk]

Hi all, new to the forum and Micra's.

My daughter has just got a 1996 1.0 Vibe and the reverse light does not work, it isn't the bulb so suspecting the switch.

I've had a look and the only thing I can see that could be the switch is located towards the back of the gearbox, is that it? Looks like I'll have to get under the car to remove it.
So before I start breaking things can someone please confirm the location and easiest way to get to it. Pictures would be a great help.
Thanks in advance.......

 

[Helloween]

when you take the switch out all the gearbox oil pours out ok!! and with the nissan dealers apparently there are different types of switches and costs about 67 pounds, mine dont work too and i dont spend the days driving backwards so im not bothering to fix mine...

When/if you take the switch off theres a small bracket holding it and also there are chances it cracks when taking off....


J

 

[maluk]

Hi, thanks, I know the oil pours out, it's the exact location I need really and the best way to get access to it.

 

[frank]

its near the nearside c/v eh (neutral and reverse switch), and best left alone if you can imo

 

[getawaycar]

The gear position switch!
Guaranteed to come out in pieces if its the original.
Behind the plastic disc is a small microswitch type thing that comes in the £67 kit. The mounts for the switch wear and the contacts on the disc corrode and wear too.

We have a nearly new one here if you want to try it rather than pay a fortune to Nissan PM me.

 

[ibrooks]

Presumably before actually removing the switch you could just nplug the wires and test the rest of the circuit. Not one I've messed with but if it's normally open and closed by engaging reverse then shorting the wires together should make the light come on and vice versa. Also worth sticking a continuity meter across the contacts of the switch itself and engaging reverse to see if it opens or closes the circuit.

Failing all that it's quite legal to have a switch in the cabin to turn the reversing lights on so long as there's a telltale that's visible in daylight to the driver. That will get you through an MOT and let you choose when to use the light or not. I found myself wishing for a reversing light on my 1970 Mini if I was reversing it into the garage at night (or in other dark locations). It also scares the whotsits out of the driver who has been following too close if you stop, turn the reverse lights on and rev the engine (not that I would ever do such a thing whilst driving a bob-tailed Range Rover you understand).

Iain

 

[Ronneh]

ibrooks, so i can just pop a switch on the dash, mark it as reverse and as long as it has a light in it thats visible as you say, it will pass an MOT?
i dont mean to sound like a c**t but is that acurate? i dunno u may well be an MOT inspector

 

[getawaycar]

Wouldnt it be better to sort the problem rather than wire up a new circuit?

Having a seperate switch wouldnt fail an mot but the boys in blue wouldnt be impressed if you left it on!

 

[ibrooks]

ibrooks, so i can just pop a switch on the dash, mark it as reverse and as long as it has a light in it thats visible as you say, it will pass an MOT?
i dont mean to sound like a c**t but is that acurate? i dunno u may well be an MOT inspector

Perfectly fine and legal - though I'd bet half the MOT testers would have to look it up (and most plod). You have two options under the construction and use regulations - either the lights must only come on when the car is in reverse or you need a warning light that's in the driver's sight and bright enough to be visible in daylight.

Leaving them on is obviously a no-no but so long as it's an hinest mistake or you can convince a policeman that it is then it's unlikely to attract anything more than a ticking off. From memory I don't think it's actually a specific offense like fog-lights are so it would have to be prosecuted under dangerous or careless driving but don't take this as gospel.

As getawaycar suggests it's better to sort the problem properly and given the timescales I'm guessing the OP has sorted it one way or another by now. I only mentioned it as a short term fix if necessary.

Iain