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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Where's my reversing light switch??

I recently aquired a 1968 Mk 111 and working down a list of jobs, I'm now on the non-working reversing lights. I thought I'd check the switch first but having removed the gear lever and peered into the tunnel with a torch, I can't see any wiring or anything resembling a switch at all.Should I be able to see the switch and wiring from this position ? - if so, maybe a PO swapped the box from an earlier Mk11 with no switch.

Which then leads on to a supplementary question - are reversing lights part of the MOT ?

Thanks,

Malc(long-time Mk11 owner)
M J Chapman

The switch *should* be just in front of the gearlever, on the front of the remote housing.
Dave O'Neill2

Non working reverse lights are often down to poor earth at the lights. Can you check with a meter or a test lamp to see if there is a live supply when reverse is selected?

Switch wire should be connected at the front right of the gearlever turret (about 2 O'clock position), with the cable coming back down the right hand side of the transmission tunnel from the engine bay.

(Edit, Sorry Dave, I got interrupted half way through typing an answer. Your advice more succinct!)
Guy W

As for the supplementary question - No, Reverse lights are not tested in an MOT.

Dave
D Prince

I've connected a spare battery across one end of one festoon bulb and earth and they both light up ok.
Here's a pic of what I'm looking at.

M J Chapman

No switch on that one!
Guy W

I don't know...looks like a switch, but no wiring.
Dave O'Neill2

' ...looks like a switch, but no wiring.'
agreed
David Smith

Maybe, - just looks like a bolt to me in place of the plunger switch.
Guy W

Yes, you're right - its just a bolt.
Thanks everybody for your help - I think I'll try and trace the wiring a rig a manual switch somewhere.
M J Chapman

if you can't fit the original reversing switch (which I thought was on the side, not shown in photo - but I could well be wrong) then a manual switch would be best (required?) with an indicator light on it to remind you to switch the reversing lights off when not reversing
Nigel Atkins

Good point Nigel - not thought about an indicator light - hmmm
M J Chapman

I rather think an indicator light is required for the MOT.
Kingsley Dunn

I would just like to point out that reversing lights are not part of the MOT. I never connected mine up and the testers didn't comment, nor could I find any requirement for reversing lights in the DVLA's 'categorisation of defects' booklet.
BH Harvey

I had the same problem. Reversing lights fitted but no switch on the gearbox remote so I just connected them to a manual switch. I managed to find a small toggle switch with an indicator light in the end of the toggle.
I Pickering

aplogies, just seen Dave's post and once again my memory is wrong about original switch position on gearbox
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 13/09/2012 and 15/09/2012

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