Reverse light switch - can it be accessed in the car?

[Zippee]

My reverse light has stopped working for some reason, bulb is fine and it's not a fuse - where is the switch located for when you select reverse? Is it only accessible from underneath the car? Alternatively any other ideas what could cause it to stop working?

[Jamieboy101]

On the Tam you can access the gear lever when you take the tunnel cover off. There is a metal bar that presses against a contact point completing the circuit for the reverse light that might be slightly bent. You can reposition quite easily.
If you take the cover off and have a look you'll see what I mean.

[Zippee]

Thanks Jamie, I'll take a look later this week!

[road hog]

on mine the bracket secured to the top of the gearbox had come loose...a bugger to nip up..(lack of access)...but do-able..

if its the switch ,think its a ford cossie switch.?

[steveT350C]

Yes, a ford item. Cost about £30. Str8six can tell you part code I am sure.

[NickT]

My reverse light does this from time to time. It either doesn't come on at all or is on constantly in 5th gear or reverse!

In my experience this has always been the switch by the gear lever. To get to it is a pain as you have to remove the trim around the handbrake and gear lever, then you need to pull up the rubber gator around the gear lever (I have found if this becomes split you end up with a lot of hot air in the cabin from the transmission tunnel as it will come in through the split). You can then use a long screwdriver to bend the bracket until it is engaged correctly when putting the car into reverse. Takes a lot of trial and error but with some patience it is easy enough. I then silicon the rubber gator back on (with screws as well) then put everything back.

Damn, you reminded me mine wasn't coming on either when I last parked it in the garage last year... another job I should have done.

[plasticman]

I think you will need a new gearbox