Reverse Light Switch

Post by **rdlh** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:58 pm

Being a clumsy oaf, I accidentally kicked the reverse light switch

whilst getting out of my 1969 MM. (I couldn't fully open the door & was squeezing out).
Although I may be able to glue the white plastic back together, is there a source of replacement switches please?
The metal part of the switch (that you pull out) is fine, but I have broken the plastic part.
I wish to keep the car as original as possible, do different years have different switches?
Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:42 pm

I wish to keep the car as original as possible, do different years have different switches?

If you're after originality - I'm fairly sure none of the UK models had a reverse light switch!
Therefore an autojumble should be fine for a similar looking replacement although it's not the right time of year for autojumbles!

Post by **rdlh** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:13 pm

With respect, the reverse light was, I believe, an optional extra. I have original sales literature with car including optional extras which includes reverse light (doesn't mention switch though!). How else could drivers operate light !

(Optional extras include "deluxe switches" that appear to fit over windscreen wash, ignition, lights switch - did anybody actually specify this peculiar option?!)
Guess you are right, will look at autojumble in spring.
Thanks for your reply, don't wish to be difficult by contradicting you on originality!

Post by **Cam** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:18 pm

I think Ray meant from factory (which is what we all go off) not from dealer!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:23 pm

With respect, the reverse light was, I believe, an optional extra.

Well I stand corrected then - I only said I was fairly sure ;-)
My reasoning was that other countries, where Minors were exported to, required to have reversing lights to meet their regulations, but I'd not seen an original one on a UK car.
If it is a BMC part - you could try the moggy specialists but my first guess guess would be that it is a bit too rare.

Dealers in the 70's went through a phase of fitting optional extras where possible - as factory fitted options were either expensive or added lead time. I'm not sure if that applied to Morris Minors though (it was things like wheel trims and stereo units etc..)

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:00 am

How else could drivers operate light !

Grumpies do one that works off the gear lever but I dont know or think this is based on an optional extra.
As for a matching switch you will need to do a web search to see if whats available matches what you have got as there used to be lots of different sorts available in the 60`s.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:15 pm

i have fitted a mr grumpy reversing light switch, i know not original, but i have to say that it works really well, and svaes forgetting to turn it off and on via a switch on the dash

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:18 pm

The gear lever mounted one is certainly a lot more logical and safe! It's just a position switch mounted on a plate so would be fairly easy to DIY - or very quickly completed if you bought it off the shelf.
However as the car left the dealer with this equipment, my preference would be to replace the dash switch with a matching one - has it got a makers name on it?

Post by **guydenning** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:00 pm

i can see we're all going to be fighting over bakelite bits down at the bristol show autojumble. i know it's probably a bit sad - but i can't help myself buying iron and bakelite knicknackery - just in case you have to fit something modern but prefer old switchgear! invariably they all end up being given to mates. i know the materials used when the morris was new were the comparative cheapos - but wasn't the old cheap stuff nicer than the new cheap stuff? all that blown-moulded grey plastic with undecipherable icons (sort of defeats the whole point of having an icon really). i like the w for wiper, s for starter etc. even the teenage thugs in the family have been admiring the metal dash and sparcity of controls... WHAT?? - you can operate a car on FOUR KNOBS??? It reminds me of the old Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon spaceship - interstellar travel with two knobs and a pointing dial thing... mingtastic

Post by **newagetraveller** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:39 pm

I think I have a ribbed gearbox somewhere with the switch fitted into the gearbox case. When reverse is selected the switch is made at the same time.

Has anybody else seen one of these and does anybody know what car it came out of?

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:57 pm

was it a midget

Post by **newagetraveller** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:27 am

I think it probably was.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:29 am

with the switch fitted into the gearbox case.

do you mean physically fitted into the aluminium casting? That's a new one on me - I'd love to see a photo just for interest's sake (hmm - maybe I've spent to long working with gearboxes

)

Post by **newagetraveller** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:38 am

Yes, physically fitted in the aluminium casting, at the back of the rear extension piece.

As far as I can remember, when the reverse gear selector fork rod slides back to engage reverse gear it also pushes against this switch.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:15 pm

Probably a Midget box but could be a Minor one with the Midget extension piece fitted.

Post by **JustinMinor1000** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:42 pm

Have you seen this ..

Bit expensive for me but

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 53985&rd=1

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:50 am

Thats what people are prepared to bay for a fairly rare item these days.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:29 pm

A Cheap Alternative.

I set up a reversing light switch on a seperate panel below the drivers glove box. When it was on an adjacent white bulb shone out making it well nigh impossible to leave the light on accidentally.

Post by **RussLCV** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 5:34 pm

A 1275 midget box comes with the switch that you require to work as you select reverse................furthermore this remote unit bolts onto the 1098 box, I have one on since it was rebuilt, loos right with the matching white glass lens into the rear chassis...........exactly they should have been!

If anyone needs a photo I have a spare in my garage I can photograph for you

Post by **57traveller** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:37 am

I used a couple of illuminated switches from http://vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/ . Very similar to that Lucas item but black knob and differing warning lamp colours. Yellow and red for reverse and rear fog respectively. They also have supplementary switch panels to suit which I fitted under dash.