back up lights on '85 VDP with GM transmission
#1
back up lights on '85 VDP with GM transmission
The back up lights on my car aren't working. The bulbs are okay, but they don't come on when the car is put in reverse.
The original owner replaced the transmission with a GM transmission - the model I don't yet know. I did take the car to a reputable jag repair shop. The guy told me that the GM transmission doesn't have any switch or wiring to connect the lights up to.
I thought that when I got the car (I've had it for over 10 years now), that the lights worked. It did pass CA inspection then.
So, any ideas? Should they work? Or is there a way to make it work?
TIA
ken
The original owner replaced the transmission with a GM transmission - the model I don't yet know. I did take the car to a reputable jag repair shop. The guy told me that the GM transmission doesn't have any switch or wiring to connect the lights up to.
I thought that when I got the car (I've had it for over 10 years now), that the lights worked. It did pass CA inspection then.
So, any ideas? Should they work? Or is there a way to make it work?
TIA
ken
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,929
Received 10,989 Likes
on
7,216 Posts
The Ser III XJ6s were built two ways: a transmission mounted reverse lamp switch or a gearshift mounted reverse lamp switch.
The gear shift mounted type is #4 in this illustration. This was for all V12 Series IIIs and 'early' six cylinder cars. I've never known when the exact change point from 'early" to 'late' was.
Selector Gate and Lever-5.3 Litre-Automatic - Parts For Series III Saloon | Jaguar Heritage Parts UK
If you have this type of switch.....the gearshift mounted type....then it's simply a matter of normal circuit diagnostics: fuse, power to the switch, power out of the switch, lamps grounded, etc
If you car originally had the transmission mounted switch (I'm betting it did...but can't say for sure) then it surely went bye-bye when the GM trans was installed. If that's the case then retro-fitting a gearshift mounted switch might be the easiest choice
Cheers
DD
The gear shift mounted type is #4 in this illustration. This was for all V12 Series IIIs and 'early' six cylinder cars. I've never known when the exact change point from 'early" to 'late' was.
Selector Gate and Lever-5.3 Litre-Automatic - Parts For Series III Saloon | Jaguar Heritage Parts UK
If you have this type of switch.....the gearshift mounted type....then it's simply a matter of normal circuit diagnostics: fuse, power to the switch, power out of the switch, lamps grounded, etc
If you car originally had the transmission mounted switch (I'm betting it did...but can't say for sure) then it surely went bye-bye when the GM trans was installed. If that's the case then retro-fitting a gearshift mounted switch might be the easiest choice
Cheers
DD
The following users liked this post:
daytooner (05-11-2015)
#4
The Ser III XJ6s were built two ways: a transmission mounted reverse lamp switch or a gearshift mounted reverse lamp switch.
If you car originally had the transmission mounted switch (I'm betting it did...but can't say for sure) then it surely went bye-bye when the GM trans was installed.
If you car originally had the transmission mounted switch (I'm betting it did...but can't say for sure) then it surely went bye-bye when the GM trans was installed.
If that's the case then retro-fitting a gearshift mounted switch might be the easiest choice
I guess the next question would be: are the lights needed/required? I've had this car for about 10 years now, and it was only last year that someone complained that my backup lights weren't working.
ken
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,929
Received 10,989 Likes
on
7,216 Posts
Not sure how easy it would be to retro-fit. I asked the mechanic about "jerry-rigging" something, and his (first) reply was that they don't "jerry-rig" anything. Okay poor choice of words on my part. But he did not sound optimistic about hooking up a switch to the gear shift.
I'll wager a week's pay that the mounting hole at the gearshift is sitting there empty so installing the switch would be easy. Routing the wires might take a little effort....but certainly not a major project. It's "doable".
I guess the next question would be: are the lights needed/required? I've had this car for about 10 years now, and it was only last year that someone complained that my backup lights weren't working.
ken
ken
If you've gone this long without 'em, well......
Cheers
DD
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Posts: 6,796
Received 2,399 Likes
on
1,880 Posts
There are a couple of ways.
1. Change the shift tower for one from an XJS. It has a switch for the back up lamps. I did that. Added "advantage". The detents match the GM positions just a tad better.
Access to "L' more likely to be possible.
2. Adapt a backup switch to the XJ6 tower. In my tower, no screw in opening was present. But, a large washer and a suitable nut made it feasible. Or, merely, weld in a suitable bung.
3. Further fetched: Down under. By the lever that shifts the transmission. Create a mount for a micro switch that closes when the lever is in the reverse position. They might blink as other gear positions are selected!!
4. Add a manual toggle or button ala LnrB's solution.
5. Forget about it.
Yeah, I understand the shop's position on "jury rigging". if it goes bonkers, who gets the blame...
Carl
1. Change the shift tower for one from an XJS. It has a switch for the back up lamps. I did that. Added "advantage". The detents match the GM positions just a tad better.
Access to "L' more likely to be possible.
2. Adapt a backup switch to the XJ6 tower. In my tower, no screw in opening was present. But, a large washer and a suitable nut made it feasible. Or, merely, weld in a suitable bung.
3. Further fetched: Down under. By the lever that shifts the transmission. Create a mount for a micro switch that closes when the lever is in the reverse position. They might blink as other gear positions are selected!!
4. Add a manual toggle or button ala LnrB's solution.
5. Forget about it.
Yeah, I understand the shop's position on "jury rigging". if it goes bonkers, who gets the blame...
Carl
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BrentGardner
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
28
04-26-2024 03:08 AM
Isoruku
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
10
06-19-2020 12:54 PM
rudelover2
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
4
09-11-2015 08:53 PM
SingBlueSilver
XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III
6
08-27-2015 02:20 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)