Low fuel light and reversing lights.

Got the series III as you may know by now which is a 1973 model and I have never come across a low fuel warning light as mentioned in another thread tonight. Does it have one and how does it work.
Also the reversing lights on mine are on a pull out switch like the hazards but I am sure that my old landy a 71 model had them turn on when I engaged reverse. Has the button been put on to bypass the normal system? Any ideas?

Low fuel light was on Diesels. The fuel level sender on the top of the tank will have three connectors if compatible. Earth, fuel level and low fuel.

Reverse lights should be switch via a switch set in the bracket over the selectors on the top of the gear box. You can see the switch (looks like a spark plug) on the rear of the bracket in my vid - Land Rover Series 3 gearbox selectors - YouTube and how it is pressed as the reverse gate moves back.

Great. I have a petrol engine so that answers the fuel light and the fact it is on a knob means that the switch in the box is being bypassed I would assume?

protactor said:

Low fuel light was on Diesels. The fuel level sender on the top of the tank will have three connectors if compatible. Earth, fuel level and low fuel.

Reverse lights should be switch via a switch set in the bracket over the selectors on the top of the gear box. You can see the switch (looks like a spark plug) on the rear of the bracket in my vid - Land Rover Series 3 gearbox selectors - YouTube and how it is pressed as the reverse gate moves back.

Click to expand...

first time ive seen a series box with a reverse switch.

Yeah thought it was a bit odd. But it is fun when people tailgate you.

You can fit a motorcycle rear brake light switch to the selectors with a bit of ingenuity and some bent steel plate - works really well. I might have a picture somewhere, I'll have a look.

They didn't all have the reverse light fitted so the switch may just have been added.

You can see the reverse switch (if it is there) if you take the blanking plate off the 4wd knob and look in with a torch.

If it is not there just get a brake switch and a bent bit of ally on the selector to make contact when it is in reverse. I've done this and its a fair job as you have to take the floor up but the actual work only took a few minutes.

You can just leave it on the switch as IIRC reverse lights are optional and can be manual. My 1970s bus has them on a switch and the 1980s landy had none fitted originally...

Dom

Thought that the mot frowned on manual reverse light switches. That's what my one said anyway.

My series 3 gear lever bracket had a hole for the reverse switch that I tapped to 3/8 bsf and put a landrover brake switch in

I've just downloaded the VOSA MOT inspection manual and as far as I can see reverse lights are not mentioned. Fog lamps only required on vehicles first used after 1st April 1980.

I've had testers complain about all sorts of things that turned out to be wrong when they checked the book...last year the rear brakes on my bus were nearly 50% down on one side. He told me it had failed until he put the results in the computer...it passed. I did fix the brakes though...it always sicks up some brake fluid when it has been standing a while!

D

PS: I may of course be wrong, got to VOSA site and have a look for yourselves!

You're probably right. There does seem tobe variations in mots even in these computerised times.

I've got one of those pull on reverse lights, glows green when on, looks smashing except the shell of the reverse lamp containing a fossilised light fitting was the first thing I took off after buying.

I once failed an MOT partly because the 'hazard lights didn't work' errr what hazard lights? 'that green pull on button on the dash?'

Mine too is supposed to glow, I know this as every now and again it comes on to tease me as I can't work out where the bad connection is.