This 5 speed Lotus Box has been rebuilt by a reputable Lotus Repair shop. I have been trying unsuccessfully to fit a new Reverse Light switch into the rear screw fitting. (It seems no switch had been previously fitted with the hole just being plugged up ).
I have tried two ways to correctly fit the switch. The first was to select reverse gear and srew the switch in until the button hit a resistance and triggered my Multimeter alarm connected to the spade terminals. This could only be achieved after removing the lock nut on the switch .The problem was that when l selected neutral the alarm sound continued until l unscrewed the switch ?
I also tried screwing the switch in to its maximimum depth and then selecting reverse gear with the multimeter connected. This did not trigger the alarm until l removed the lock nut and it was not clear what the switch button was pressing against to trigger the alarm. Again the alarm continued whether l was in gear or not.
As a final test l pushed a plain rod into the threaded hole for the switch and moved the selector lever into and out of gear. There was no movement to feel in the metal rod at all. It seems there is a fixed solid resistance that is separating the selector on the gear lever from making contact with the button on the end of the switch.
I have spoken with the workshop that rebuilt the box and they advise that this switch system has forever been an issue with this 5 speed box such that they no lomger supply the switches ?
Has anyone come across this problem ??
Possibly a faulty switch. It’s just a spring loaded plunger inside. How does it test on the bench?
Greg,
Yes, this is a new switch and tested fine on the bench.
My concern is centreing on why l dont feel any movement inside the screw hole when the gear lever is moved into or out of reverse gear . It feels as though there is a barrier plate between the switch button and the selector lever arm inside the gearbox. Please excuse my terminology ?
John,
Thanks for the mechanism drawing for the 5 Speed box. You highlight the shaft No23 as the shaft that contacts the switch button.
If l can screw the full length of the switch up towards that shaft end and still move the gear lever into and out of 5th gear , dosent that suggest that shaft 23 is not moving ??
Nigel.