Reverse Light cable

CassienLandy · Oct 6, 2020

I have a 1994 300tdi and the cable is missing from the loom to the switch on the gearbox. There is a two pin plug on the switch end and there is a spare? two pin plug in the engine bay on the loom. I assume there is a link lead to go between the two? Does anyone know what this is called? I can't seem to find it on a parts search anywhere. Perhaps I am using the wrong wording.

mick 1986 · Oct 7, 2020

CassienLandy said:
I have a 1994 300tdi and the cable is missing from the loom to the switch on the gearbox. There is a two pin plug on the switch end and there is a spare? two pin plug in the engine bay on the loom. I assume there is a link lead to go between the two? Does anyone know what this is called? I can't seem to find it on a parts search anywhere. Perhaps I am using the wrong wording.

I don’t know about a “link cable” for it, but it’s such a simple circuit that you could make your own. The switch usually has an ignition switched live to it, closes when reverse is selected, and powers the reverse light(s). If you take photos of the connectors you have, someone like @PaulMc should be able to supply the connectors you need. Before you go connecting anything, make sure you know what that “spare 2 pin plug” is for.

CassienLandy · Oct 7, 2020

Thanks for the reply, the plan is to link out the connector at the loom and see if the reverse light comes on. If that fails I am going to have to wire it myself. Obviously this is simple electrically just a bit of a bitch to get to, would be really easy with a £5 lead.

mick 1986 · Oct 7, 2020

CassienLandy said:
Thanks for the reply, the plan is to link out the connector at the loom and see if the reverse light comes on. If that fails I am going to have to wire it myself. Obviously this is simple electrically just a bit of a bitch to get to, would be really easy with a £5 lead.

Is it a defender?

CassienLandy · Oct 8, 2020

Yes mate, a Defender. The plug in the engine bay is not the reverse light. Going to run a new circuit.

mick 1986 · Oct 8, 2020

CassienLandy said:
Yes mate, a Defender. The plug in the engine bay is not the reverse light. Going to run a new circuit.

Take the centre seat or cubby box out, and the centre cover plate. The reverse switch should be easily visible. On mine, the wiring comes out of the loom, just under the drivers seat, so maybe yours is tucked up somewhere?

CassienLandy · Oct 8, 2020

I have checked just about everywhere, I don't understand it. The only cables that exit the loom in that area are the pair for the dash tell on four wheel drive.

mick 1986 · Oct 8, 2020

CassienLandy said:
I have checked just about everywhere, I don't understand it. The only cables that exit the loom in that area are the pair for the dash tell on four wheel drive.

Im sure it should only be one for the difflock telltale. It shorts to earth through the switch, so doesn’t need a return back to the loom.

Has someone messed around the loom and your trying to get it back to a decent condition?

CassienLandy · Oct 9, 2020

The vehicle has had lots of bits and bobs over the years, I put a galvanised chassis on it 2 years ago. I am guessing the reverse light was never reconnected. I am pretty sure there are no other loose ends. Ran a new circuit today, works fine. Just took a fused live through the switch and to the light, made the loose ends in the light safe, all good.
Just read your comment again, shorts to earth in the switch? Surely it wouldn't work the way I have wired it then? I should have blown a fuse?

mick 1986 · Oct 9, 2020

CassienLandy said:
The vehicle has had lots of bits and bobs over the years, I put a galvanised chassis on it 2 years ago. I am guessing the reverse light was never reconnected. I am pretty sure there are no other loose ends. Ran a new circuit today, works fine. Just took a fused live through the switch and to the light, made the loose ends in the light safe, all good.
Just read your comment again, shorts to earth in the switch? Surely it wouldn't work the way I have wired it then? I should have blown a fuse?

The transfer box shorts to earth, so doesn’t require 2 wires. It was in response to a post you said “2 wires going to the transfer box”. The reverse light switch should be wired as you have done, live in, switched out.

CassienLandy · Oct 9, 2020

There are two wires at the transfer box, neither connected. when I linked between the two to see what happened the diff lock tell came on.

mick 1986 · Oct 9, 2020

CassienLandy said:
There are two wires at the transfer box, neither connected. when I linked between the two to see what happened the diff lock tell came on.

That’s interesting. I was under the impression they were all wired the same, so a live from the loom, to one side of the switch, the other side of the switch is connected directly to the bolt head of one of the cover bolts. So when the difflock switch closes, it effectively shorts to earth and illuminates the light.

CassienLandy · Oct 9, 2020

I just linked both together and the diff lock light came on. Haven't seen where they connect to the transfer box, its not the original box anyways.

mick 1986 · Oct 10, 2020

CassienLandy said:
I just linked both together and the diff lock light came on. Haven't seen where they connect to the transfer box, its not the original box anyways.

If the transfer box is LT230, then it should be just under high low linkage. You can see it from removing the centre seat cover. Here is a diagram showing it as if your looking from the RHS of the vehicle.

CassienLandy · Oct 12, 2020

Thanks for your help, I am all done now. Until the next time that is.

Reverse Light cable

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