Firstly I've done a search and what I found didn't help. My reverse lights in my 5 speed VL don't work, at all. I've checked the globes and wiring to them and all seems fine. I found a dodgy wire on the neutral switch (which I thought was the reverse switch at the time) so it fixed nothing. What's the neutral switch on the 5 speed box for anyway? I checked my Max Ellery manual and it says the reverse switch is on the left side of the box, I found nothing on that side, but there is another switch that looks the same as the neutral switch which sits right up the top on the right side of the box. I pulled the boot off to check the wiring and it looked ok, although both wires are yellow (I read in another post they should be green and pink). Is that switch the reverse light switch, and if so how do I get it out as there is very little room up there for a spanner, as I used on the neutral switch. Cheers.

BUMP Anyone? Surely someone has to know.

the switch up the top near the shifter is the neutral switch. The reverse switch is on the same side, but in the front housing about half way up, sort of just behind the clutch fork lever. check the switch for continuity with a multimeter by checking for resistance across the terminals of the switch in neutral and in reverse. If its working there should be practically no resistance when its in reverse, but open circuit in neutral. Cheers

i dunno if you realise this but it doesnt actually matter unless you are pedantic as reverse lights are not required for roadworthy. Just making sure you knew this.

Thanks for the helpful info. As for needing them, I do a lot of carpark parking and have found without them I've nearly hit pedestrians and moving cars as they can't see reverse lights so think I'm not trying to reverse. Also I was stuck in a small carpark for ages one Thursday night near a local Maccas. Huge lineup that went through the carpark I was in (small carpark, talking about the one outside subway and blockbuster at Warners Bay for those that know the area). I thought people were just being rude by not letting me out, that was before I realised the lights were nil op. So I mainly want them working as it's an inconvenience for me quite a lot. Not required for roadworthy? Are you sure? Why do they check them then? Although seatbelts are supposed to be tested and I've never seen anyone that's done my pink slips check them. Anyway, I know where the switch is now so I can test it. Cheers.

Finally got to check the switch today. Installed with the gearstick in reverse there's no continuity, so I was thinking great that's the problem. Pulled the switch and checked it again, there's continuity with the button pushed in. So, either there's a problem with whatever pushed on the switch to close it, or it's not pushing far enough to close the contacts. Any ideas? Maybe the switch is worn and that's why it isn't being pushed in far enough. Calling trans place tomorrow, see what they say, just thought I might get an idea on something else to check today.

Ok, finally got time to sit down (well crawl under) and have a good look at the switch. I shorted the wires to the lights and with the ignition on the lights work, the switch goes short when removed and the pin is pressed in, but installed it won't close, so I'm guessing I either need to replace the switch ($48), or is there anything I can fit over the pin, like a sleeve tom ake it a bit longer so it'll work when the gearstick is placed in neutral. I have to get back under and see with the switch out and the car in R if there's anything near the hole that should push against the switch to activate it before buying a new switch and that not solving the problem. Out of the car the switch seems to be fine, anyone had much of a dealing with this sort of problem?

I havnt dealed with this myself, but i should. I had my 5 speed reconnec begining of last year, and since then, my reverse lights, might come on... if they feel like it. one day, i might crawl under the car, and sort it out, with the long weekend comming up, i might hope under my car, and check it out, let u know how i go

If tomorrow's a nice day I'm going to remove my switch and see if I can make up some sort of sleeve that's going to do the job and stay there. I should get my clutch slave rebuild kit tomorrow so I'll need to get under there anyway, plus I think I'm going to drain my gearbox and put some new fluid in with some Nulon stuff that's supposed to make things quieter and make gear changes easier when cold. Hopefully it'll work, otherwise I'm looking more at 2nd and 3rd gear synchros being dodgy. If I have any luck with the switch I'll post here with what I do. Currently with it all installed my lights don't work at all.

Quote: Originally Posted by ATMO_BT1 i dunno if you realise this but it doesnt actually matter unless you are pedantic as reverse lights are not required for roadworthy. Just making sure you knew this. bullshiit