Reverse Lamp Switch - Ford T9

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Hello all,

 

I'm the new owner of a 99 Caterham Classic (crossflow with T9 5 speed)

 

I have a question for you guys regarding your reverse light switches. I have to replace mine for a brake & light inspection, but I cant seem to find the right part. The part I pulled out has a 16 x 1.5 thread.

 

I bought an xr4ti switch from a local auto parts store, but the threads were 14 x 1.5.

 

So I called up chris from Sevens and Elans out in MA and had him second day air me a switch claiming that, "if it's on a caterham, this is the switch." I received it today and again, it's 14x1.5

 

Does anyone know what reverse switch I have and/or where I can get it?

 

Thanks

-Geoff

 

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

I notice that some t9's seem to have provisions for the reverse switch and some don't.

 

http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/pictures/type9.jpg

 

and

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/TheDingo8MyBaby/Bild063.jpg

 

This is similar to the t9 I have. Thoughts?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/TheDingo8MyBaby/t9.jpg

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Interesting. Looks like someone stuck the wrong sensor where I have the arrow. I noticed the placement of the sensor in the second picture and sure enough it fit. Anyone know what the port I have the arrow pointing to is? I was just going to plug it. Is it a vent or something?

[breezy7]

That port is the speedometer drive output. The drive is round(an inch and a half or so)with a flat quill on one end and 6-8 inches of wire with a plastic connector on the other end. It is held in place by a C clip and connects to the wiring harness running at the top of the transmission tunnel. A plug fills the hole on the left side of the gearbox, I think the plug was in place when I got my gearbox from Caterham USA. I'm assuming that Caterham used the same set up for speedometers in your 1999 as they did for my 2006. It probably was a cable drive at one time but I don't know when the change to an elecrtic unit took place. You might want to look at fitting a filler for your gearbox before installation. I think there are a few suggestions in the General Tech section of the site

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

The speedometer drive output is lower on my t9. Still, there are 2 images there without this port-and I can hardly see ford not fitting them with speedometer outputs.

 

I have seen the threads about the filler on the t9 top cover. A useful mod indeed that I'll be doing when I have the chance.

[11Budlite]

Geoff,

 

The reverse switch (black in the photo) is mounted to the rear near the shift lever housing. The switch that is a few inches in front of that is the neutral safety switch (yellow in the photo) which wasn't used on all the T9's. The speedo drive is below the neutral safety switch and at an angle. My Birkin uses a speedo sensor on the driveshaft flange so the tranny is plugged. If I remember correctly the reverse switch should have a plunger-type arrangement and the neutral safety switch should have a ball-type arrangement. See the photo below:

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1917459643_IMG_9500.JPG

 

Hope this helps, Bruce :7drive:

[pi7ot]

Try Dick Brink.

 

dick at texasmotorworks7 dot com

 

 

m

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Bruce- I was laying in bed last night thinking that it was perhaps a neutral sensor. Thanks for the picture- that helps.

 

I passed the brake and light inspection. I'm taking it to the CA DMV on thursday to pick up the title (if everything else goes right). Wish me luck!

[11Budlite]

Good luck Geoff!!

 

 

[breezy7]

What is the purpose of the nuetral switch? Is it to keep the starter from engaging with the transmission in gear? I don't think I have heard of one on a manual gearbox before.

[11Budlite]

I think on "normal" manual transmission cars it's used in conjunction with a switch on the clutch pedal to keep from starting the car in gear with the clutch engaged.

 

Bruce :7drive: