Dangerous Reverse

Post by **340kou** » 20 Nov 2004 01:05 pm

I dont know if anyone else has this problem, but whenever I put the car into reverse I have to hold the gearstick as far forward as I can to get the reverse light on. As soon as I let it back (only a small bit, but reverse is still selected) the reverse light turns off. To reverse safely I have to keep one hand on the stick, or get the passanger to do it. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

The other day I forgot this, began to revrse and almost hit the car behind, so wil have to sort the problem out.

Cheers

Post by **Fuse** » 20 Nov 2004 02:22 pm

Well my reverse lights go out when i start moving. If the car is still and reverse is on they will light up but as soon as you start moving they go out..

Sensor for the lights is somewhere at the bottom of the gear stick.

Post by **340kou** » 20 Nov 2004 02:38 pm

Cheers, Is it difficult to get to?

Post by **special** » 21 Nov 2004 10:20 pm

no its not difficult to get at just remove the centre console theres a screw right at the back of the part were you but your bits n bobs

you might be able to get at it just by removing the leather surround for the gearstick but space is a bit tight

Post by **bogbasic** » 21 Nov 2004 10:26 pm

I have the same trouble and I have checked the reverse light switch below the gaitor and it is fine. When you raise the gate on the gear lever and engage reverse, a piece of plastic on the gear lever pushes against the knob on the switch. The switch is mounted on a metal bracket that can be adjusted by undoing a couple of bolts with an allen key. I tried this and basically moved the switch slightly closer to the gear lever. This seemed to be better but you have to be careful not to move the bracket too much or it can make it impossible to engage first and second gear - talking from experience.

Post by **foggyjames** » 23 Nov 2004 02:34 pm

The problem is mis-alignment between the stick and the switch...how you fix that depends on exactly what's wrong - stick out of alignment, switch out of alignment...broken switch lever is another favourite one. Mine is getting towards needing attention, but I've not figured it out yet...good luck with it....

cheers

James

Post by **Lonewolf** » 27 Nov 2004 06:00 am

i've been a victim to the broken switch, ended up making a bracket to hold the switch together as the switch is made of delrum or some crap like that and doesnt glue back together

Post by **lentinj** » 26 Feb 2005 02:45 pm

I've had the same problem for a few months---you have to shove the gear lever over to the left to ensure that the reversing light stays on. Like fuse the light would also come on when I raised the clutch.

However, the problem seems to be more that the gear stick has too much travel horizontally, rather than the switch being out of alignment (it comes on when you raise the clutch since the gearstick moves to the left as the gear gets engaged).

I could shift the switch a bit which would probably help matters, but wondered if the excessive travel is a sign that something is about to break / could be cured relatively easily?

Post by **jtbo** » 26 Feb 2005 11:42 pm

My gear stick is so loose that I can't get quite good setup for 1st and 2nd gear to work while reversing lights works. No problem actually, I'm just more cautious and use more throttle

Post by **foggyjames** » 27 Feb 2005 07:40 pm

A 'loose' gearstick is a reflection that the shifter mechanism is out of adjustment, or broken. I believe there are some rubber bushings which can go, or the whole shift linkage can break.

Yes too much travel can cause trouble, but mine do exactly what you describe (need adjusting) and my linkage is as tight as you'll find (replaced 8 months ago). I think with some adjustment you'll be sorted!

cheers

James

Post by **Vario Si** » 12 Apr 2005 09:39 pm

In my Variomatic 340, you have to make sure you bring the lever into reverse from above, as there are 2 positions it can lie in. Only the top one is successful, the lower one - well it doesnt sound healthy and the car doesnt move!

Anyone know if this is common atall?

Post by **Vario Si** » 12 Apr 2005 09:41 pm

In my Variomatic 340, you have to make sure you bring the lever into reverse from above, as there are 2 positions it can lie in. Only the top one is successful, the lower one - well it doesnt sound healthy and the car doesnt move!

Anyone know if this is common atall?

Post by **foggyjames** » 12 Apr 2005 09:50 pm

Variomatics are relatively uncommon on here, but Will (wjp...) has one, and is bound to be able to answer this one.

cheers

James