Evening All,

I have a problem with my reverse switch. As the car has not been IVAed it will need reversing lights, but the switch on the gearbox is perfectly lined up with a chassis rail. I was thinking about blanking this and having a plunger or reed style switch behind the gearstick itself. The RX8 gearbox is a 5 speed, with reverse where 6th would be. This is the best option that I can think of, I wondered if there were any alternatives or if there could be an issue with a gearstick switch?

I'm reluctant to chop up the chassis. Partly because my welding skills are currently non-existent, and partly because I think it would protrude through the tunnel panel into the passenger footwell so could be vulnerable.

Thanks in advance.


Reverse 1

a proximity switch on the gear lever should probably work.
but do you have to do anything with the leaver before you can select reverse. - ie lift the leaver, or push it down? you might be able to detect that movement instead of the leaver position

also note MOT have requirements for reverse light now. dependant on its registration age. (as well as the sva regs) , so tested each year

That's good to know, thank you. With that reassurance I think I will go with a blank on the 'box and see where to put a switch when I'm onto the interior and electrics.

I don't think there is a specific process to go to reverse, other than you can't go directly from 5th, you have to go via neutral.

You don't actually have to have the reversing light(s) operating automatically - a manual switch is still acceptable, as long as you have a tell-tale warning lamp to remind you that it/they are on.

Thanks for that, useful to know! Hopefully I can get something to work, but if not I will have a switch on the dash. Either way no reason to hold back because of not being able to fit the official switch.

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveWalker
You don't actually have to have the reversing light(s) operating automatically - a manual switch is still acceptable, as long as you have a tell-tale warning lamp to remind you that it/they are on.

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quote:

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Originally posted by SteveWalker
You don't actually have to have the reversing light(s) operating automatically - a manual switch is still acceptable, as long as you have a tell-tale warning lamp to remind you that it/they are on.

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quote:

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Originally posted by gremlin1234

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveWalker
You don't actually have to have the reversing light(s) operating automatically - a manual switch is still acceptable, as long as you have a tell-tale warning lamp to remind you that it/they are on.

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yep good call on that, I had forgotten that little loophole

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sanzomat

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveWalker
You don't actually have to have the reversing light(s) operating automatically - a manual switch is still acceptable, as long as you have a tell-tale warning lamp to remind you that it/they are on.

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I'm not sure what that is based on? Maybe true for vehicles first used pre 2009? - extract below from the current MOT testers manual regarding reverse lights:

4.6.3 Switching
You must inspect all reversing lamps fitted to vehicles first used from 1 September 2009.
Reversing lamps must operate automatically when reverse gear is selected and extinguish when
reverse gear is deselected.

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OK, so for the MOT test it needs to be automatic, looks like I need to put more effort into the gearstick switch idea before I abandon it then.

"4.6.3. Switching

You must inspect all reversing lamps fitted to vehicles first used from 1 September 2009 other than quadricycles and Class 3 vehicles.

Reversing lamps must operate automatically when reverse gear is selected and extinguish when reverse gear is deselected."

The MOT is not supposed to fail unmodified homologated vehicles. There is a big problem if IVAd vehicles have to meet a higher standard at MOT than at IVA!