Fuse 38 (brake / reverse lights) blowing

[T6USK]

Hi All

Been out for a run today and guy nearly rear ended me (phew !) - then he overtook (yes I know I not going fast enough for the badge), came to stop at lights, he got out, and advised me my brake lights weren't working.
Got home and checked...defo not working, consulted Mr Varley's manual, located fuse 38 and replaced with another 7.5 amp fuse from board spare. Tested and jobs a good un (smiles with bead of sweat burning one eye).
Put car into reverse to go into garage - heard summat go click, blown fuse again.

Anyone any idea what I check / do next (other than buy another 7.5amp fuse) ??

Help appreciated...

Chris

[Englishman]

Probably the reversing light switch at the bottom of the gear lever shorting to earth - had exactly these symptons on the Sag.

[Andy Pandie]

Funnily (or not) mine blew again today, traced it down to the reversing light switch, have just returned from the garage after disconnecting it, will replace it some time soon.

^^^^Beaten to it

[Tuscanuwe]

reversing light switch 95% cause of failure
I had the same

Uwe

[T6USK]

Cheers Guys

Disconnected switch this morning and no blown fuses !
Any ideas on where to source a replacement switch ???

Ta

[S6 Devil]

T6USK said:

Cheers Guys

Disconnected switch this morning and no blown fuses !
Any ideas on where to source a replacement switch ???

Ta

The usual suspects!

http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/reverse-light...

http://www.thetvrshop.com/ProductsDetail.asp?PartN...

[Englishman]

It's a bit of a fiddle and make sure you have the two large spanners needed before you start, but if you follow Mr Varley's manual you can do it yourself and save a few £'s.

[S6PNJ]

Looks like it might be a Ford part

lrs-15220a I believe, so you might be able to get it cheaper elsewhere.
Might also be SW6306

[Tuscanuwe]

I suggest this switch dies because of the terrible heat from the underside!
When you have no brake lights you need a this switch new!
I took one from a VW, costs 4 euro from a broken gear!

Uwe

[ochten]

I had the same problem with the switch. But the green wire from the switch to the fuse box burned away completely! (and the 10 A fuse was still OK) Perhaps is the faulty switch making direct ground with the gearbox. Took me a week to replace the green wire in the loom to the fusebox.
I made another , in line fuse , direct behind the gearbox reverse switch to be sure in the future!
If it blows I have still working brakelights!

[T6USK]

Thanks guys for your help. Have ordered replacement switch now from Clever Trevor...

[Jon TVR]

Guys might be stating the obvious, but I had this issue once and couldn't get to the garage to fix straight away. Replacing the fuse and removing the reverse light bulb stopped the short and allowed me to continue driving safe in the knowledge that people knew when I was braking!

Jon

[nawarne]

S6PNJ said:

Looks like it might be a Ford part

lrs-15220a I believe, so you might be able to get it cheaper elsewhere.
Might also be SW6306

I should think it is a Ford part - the 'box is a T5 used on the Sierra Cosworth.

OK, being a TVR it could be sourced from any of the mainstream manufacturers, but I'd plimp for Ford.
Nick

[JimmyZZ]

it IS a ford part. Not very expensive!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-FORD-COSWORTH-REVERS...
for example

Edited by JimmyZZ on Friday 24th August 16:26