Reverse light switch

[Rene Toussaint]

Hi everyone. I just purchased a MGTD kit car. The near  I can make out is that the VW pan and engine is either a 1969 or 1970. The  replica was made in 1981.

My backup light does not work. The bulb is good. Can someone tell me where the switch is and how do I get to it?

[Paul Mossberg]

The VW Reverse Light Switch installs into the nose cone of the transmission at the up right hand side.

If you need a replacement: https://www.jbugs.com/product/211941521.html

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Rene Toussaint]

Thanks Paul. That should be easy to find once I get it up in the air a little

[Rene Toussaint]

It was easy to find not fun getting it out. I thought I had all the tools I would need. Wrong. Got to go th Harbor Freight and get what I need.
Paul, do you or anyone else know that when I remove this switch, will I get a mouth full of gear oil? It a very hard place to get to and I don’t think I could put it back in fast enough to stop the out-gush of gear oil

[Rene Toussaint]

Oh I did find my problem. One of the electrical contacts on the switch was broken off.

[Rene Toussaint]

I found a 22 MM wrench and loosened the switch. I removed it just far enough to find that gear oil will run out. Not sure if I can make the swap without making a mess. Now I need to find the fill plug.

[edward ericson]

If you tilt the car back a little you should be OK.

[Rene Toussaint]

Anyone know what I should be using for manual transmission oil? Is it just 90 weight gear oil. I may just drain it, clean the magnet on the drain plug then fill it up with good new oil.

[Rene Toussaint]

edward ericson wrote:

If you tilt the car back a little you should be OK.

what do you mean Ed? Tha rear of the car is on ramps right now so the oil is flowing towards the front of the transmission.

[edward ericson]

That’s why it’s coming out. I mean put taller ramps under the front—even the same height ones will work. With the car level it won’t leak oil from the reverse light port. That said, best to just go ahead and change it though, as mostly no one ever does it, and it should be done at least once per generation.

A lot of guys swear by Swepco. I just bought regular 75/90 (Valvoline?) at the Advance Auto I frequent. 3 quarts is more than enough. The hardest part is hitting the fill hole. I made a little sideways extenda-funnel for that.

 

[Rene Toussaint]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Ed, do you use the full synthetic 75/90 gear oil or just the regular high performance oil?</p>

[edward ericson]

I think I’ve used both.

[Rene Toussaint]

Thanks Ed

[Rene Toussaint]

I received the new switch today. Should there have been some type of gasket or should I put some pipe dope on the threads?

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