Reversing light switch 75 on Elite 5 speed. Is it a Maxi Unit?

[dixi4uk]

A simple question for the enlightened.

 

Is the reversing light switch which is situated low down on the rear of the Elite 5 speed Maxi based gearbox a BL Maxi switch?

 

I believe that this switch also fits many BL cars.

 

Plenty on Fleabay.

[soldave]

Did you ever find an answer to this? Need a replacement reverse switch for the Eclat and am looking for equivalent parts from other cars. 

[dixi4uk]

Well Dave,

Not 100% as of today. A few weeks ago I ordered a Maxi, Marina, Allegro switch from eBay at £6.90 (Genuine Lucas). Looks like it will fit, correct length thread, right connection wires but as the gearbox and I are far apart I never got around to checking the thread fit. I did try a Land Rover switch but the threads were far too course So if anyone wants a 5 speed Land Rover switch I have one cheap unused.

I must check it out and let you know.

Bear with me.

[soldave]

On 09/12/2015 at 15:42, dixi4uk said:

Well Dave,

Not 100% as of today. A few weeks ago I ordered a Maxi, Marina, Allegro switch from eBay at £6.90 (Genuine Lucas). Looks like it will fit, correct length thread, right connection wires but as the gearbox and I are far apart I never got around to checking the thread fit. I did try a Land Rover switch but the threads were far too course So if anyone wants a 5 speed Land Rover switch I have one cheap unused.

I must check it out and let you know.

Bear with me.

Certainly.  Let us know as it would be useful for me and to go in the cross-referenced parts spreadsheet on here

[dixi4uk]

It is Saturday so I will have an answer by this afternoon for you.

Regards,

Adrian

[soldave]

Good man.  Might also follow your lead over the winter and finally get that short shifter that you purchased

[alec]

many reverse light switches have the same connections and thread .the critical bit which I have been trying to match in our stores is the length of the plunger which operates the switching when reverse is engaged.I am led to believe that my 4 speed box in my 76 éclat 501 is Ford but I have not yet found the correct switch and we have over 200 reverse light switches in our range.The only way I can think to sort my problem is to ring Lucas Elta tech department and see what I can find out .If I have any luck I will let you know

Alec

[dixi4uk]

Ok Dave,

 I can now confirm that the Maxi /Marina reversing lamp switch fits the thread and has sufficient thread length to include the adjusting nut.

It is reasonably tight owing to brass going into aluminium however it does have to hold the gear oil in the 'box along with a copper washer.

This is where I would look and see what two wiring connections you have. (40 years of owners may have changed this). The original is based on bullet connectors. The original part number is GAE 191 CD3 and the part  was supplied by eBay seller ryansmith17ryan.

This very same switch is available with different wiring connections depending on the application from Triumph though most BL to Leyland Sherpa.

Alecs' Ford application is entirely different and has no similarity whatsoever.

[soldave]

1 hour ago, dixi4uk said:

Ok Dave,

 I can now confirm that the Maxi /Marina reversing lamp switch fits the thread and has sufficient thread length to include the adjusting nut.

It is reasonably tight owing to brass going into aluminium however it does have to hold the gear oil in the 'box along with a copper washer.

This is where I would look and see what two wiring connections you have. (40 years of owners may have changed this). The original is based on bullet connectors. The original part number is GAE 191 CD3 and the part  was supplied by eBay seller ryansmith17ryan.

This very same switch is available with different wiring connections depending on the application from Triumph though most BL to Leyland Sherpa.

Alecs' Ford application is entirely different and has no similarity whatsoever.

Mine does have the bullet connectors so it looks like you've hit the jackpot with that one. Good find.

I'll get one ordered and will report back with my success.

[dixi4uk]

Hopeful success.

There is a little tweeking on the threads to engage the light, best to engage reverse and wind in until the light comes on.

Going back to the quick shift idea. I have driven Escorts with this fitted and the difference is remarkable.

The dash is out of my car so have been unable to check final clearances on the lever but at worst I forsee maybe a small amount of bending to the stick which comes supplied straight.

The supplier I used, although knows nothing of Lotus fitment, says many  Escort drivers do put in a slight bend to have the stick exactly where they want it. So guess this is no big deal.

Adrian

[alec]

ok my fault if I had read the post properly I would have seen that the gearbox in the elite is a 5 speed BL .Just call me numpty

Alec

[dixi4uk]

No worries.

Your Ford based gearbox should have a simple reversing light solution.I am surprised you are having difficulty in sorting one.

[soldave]

OK, I can confirm that the following item (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261985985990 - MORRIS MARINA REVERSE LIGHT SWITCH (1971-80) GAE191 CD3) does not work with a 5-speed Lotus box. The threads are far too coarse as you can see in the picture below.

I'm probably going to ghetto-repair the connectors on the old switch and wire it up as it seems to work ok.

[oilmagnet477]

Dave, is there any way to get the internal gubbins out of the old bolt and replace with the internal gubbins from the new fixing?

Apologies for all the technical jargon

[eclat22]

Hi Dave, have you checked to see exactly what thread is required? The switch below has a fine thread

hope this might be of some help

Dan

 

[soldave]

Thanks for the idea, Dan. If my switch connector repair doesn't work then I might look to go down that route.

6 hours ago, oilmagnet477 said:

Dave, is there any way to get the internal gubbins out of the old bolt and replace with the internal gubbins from the new fixing?

Apologies for all the technical jargon

Don't think there's a way of doing it easily, unfortunately.

[johnpwalsh]

Dave, I may have a spare in the garage. I have a couple of gearbox's that may have one fitted. I will check and see in the next day or two when I go over there.

[eclat22]

Hi Dave, thinking about the above switch I don't think it will work as I believe it will give reverse lights all the time and extinguish them when you put the car in reverse.

[soldave]

Tried fitting the old reverse switch and making new connections this past weekend but failed. One of the terminals on the switch broke off completely

But the switch is back in place and reverse lights aren't needed for an MOT so it might be something that will just have to wait until later.

[pbharcourt]

You could just fit a toggle switch and run a couple of wires to it as a short term fix.

Reversing light toggle switches are available on ebay.

[alan.phillips]

Try phoning Kelvedon motors on 01775 725457.They have a lot of bits for the older Lotus models.

[soldave]

Bit of a thread resurrection, but I just noticed this pop up on Ebay. Anyone fancy being a guinea pig and checking it out?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lucas-35745-reverse-lamp-switch-for-Lotus-Elan-Elite-Eclat-Esprit-/162281810810

[Angus553]

Just out of interest was their a definitive answer to this dilemma, as i need a new reversing light switch.

Thanks as always.

[soldave]

Not sure but I got one from SJ Sportscars in the end 👍. Hopefully they still have one for you.

[Angus553]

Took a gamble after doing some research about the reversing light switch and concluded the Lucas smb420 and the Bearmach 575166 would fit and work correctly in the gearbox.  Both have arrived and do indeed work correctly. The switch itself is 3/8" diameter with 24unf/24tpi with a 15mm head and N.O. circuit.  This is a Land Rover part. Hopefully this will help others when they over tighten the switch whilst trying to stop it leaking.